Listing below regular activities / classes
Please get in touch if you would like your regular activity / class listed here: tolpuddlevillagewebsite@gmail.com
MONDAYS
Tolpuddle Toddlers
Village Hall
Mondays during term time || 10.00 - 12.00
2026 AUTUMN TERM - Begins on Monday, 7 September
Tolpuddle Toddlers is a friendly group of babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, parents, grandparents and other carers.
We meet on Mondays from 10am to 12pm at the Village Hall and it is a great place to meet others from the local community. We have plenty of toys for the children, an area for younger babies, snack time, different crafts each weeks, story and singing time. Refreshments for the adults too. The group runs throughout term time and the cost is £3.00 per family per session. All monies go towards the hire of the facilities and the activities provided.
The group has a Facebook page “Tolpuddle Toddlers” for regular updates or contact Charlotte Kitchin 07500 619144
The Tolpuddle Old Chapel History Group
meeting every other Monday morning 10 - 12 in the Old Chapel
please see below for information regarding enquiries and further information.
The History Group runs as a series of informal conversations, discussions and exchanges for anyone interested in the history of Tolpuddle, the Piddle Valley, and surrounding areas. Whether you are an experienced local historian, or a beginner, you will be made most welcome. Our endeavour is to ‘imagine history’. Above all we don’t intend to duplicate formal historical accounts: rather, we want to make our own heritage out of local stories, family memories, and the many easily overlooked scraps of information about what life was really like for the rural poor and those who lived and worked on the land in these valleys. We work as part of the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust, with the broad aim of enhancing the heritage value of the Chapel and the village, setting those in a range of historical contexts.
There are many ways to approach the making of this kind of history. One way is to ask basic questions ranging across time periods, such as what did people eat, how did they look after their children, how did they sleep, keep warm, tell the time, stay dry, light a fire? Another is to exchange family stories that have come down through the generations, and to use shared personal memories as a means of imagining the past. Yet another is to consider periods of great change in which villages like Tolpuddle were transformed, for example through enclosures, or the mechanisation of agriculture, or the opening or closing of certain trades and services in the villages, the diversion of roads, the provision of mains water – and so on.
We conduct our own research, and currently we are studying the origins of the Chapel by examining the Deeds of 1818 in detail in the hope that they will reveal more about the coming together of the Martyrs and their families as a newly emerging community of Methodists. Each year, we aim to produce an exhibition coinciding with the Tolpuddle Festival, and we are keen to develop more activities of this kind. Our meetings are shaped by a sociable spirit and by finding ways of pursuing shared interests and enquiries that people bring. We endeavour to establish common ground for our enquiries and discussions, so that we have a focus and a purpose. We are also open to creative opportunities that these interests promote.
Sessions are convened by Philip Martin (former Chair of TOCT), from whom further details are available. Please mail info@tolpuddleoldchapeltrust.org or drop a note into the Chapel addressed to Philip if you are interested in hearing more.
TUESDAYS
Sam Buxton Physio-led Pilates || Tolpuddle Village Hall
Classes on Tuesdays at 9.30 am, 10.30am and a new class for this September at 11.30 am
(term time only) (also evenings on Thursdays - see below)
Suitable for all abilities, from complete beginners to those with previous Pilates experience.
Classes are led by Sam Buxton, Chartered Physiotherapist and APPI Pilates Instructor, with a focus on safe, effective movement and individual guidance.
Small class sizes
Friendly and welcoming atmosphere
Beautiful village hall setting
To find out more or book your place, please contact samjbuxton31@gmail.com
Shared Reading at The Old Chapel every Tuesday in term time from 10.30 – 12.00
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. £2 per session.
So, what is Shared Reading?
We meet for an hour and a half with tea and biscuits and we read together a short story and a poem. It’s not a Book Club where you have to turn up with prepared reading. You bring nothing apart from yourself and your curiosity. Something magical happens when we read aloud; words that we would have skipped over while reading silently, often gain more significance and we can tune in to the beauty of our language while listening to someone else read. Then, we stop for a while to discuss what we have read. Questions arise. Words provoke memories and thoughts. We wonder what could happen next. Does that description foretell the ending? How do we react to that character behaving in that way? Then another person takes up the reading and we repeat the process until we reach the conclusion. Often, we are surprised. Sometimes amused. Sometimes moved. Some readers do not want to read aloud and just want to listen and join in the discussion – and that is fine. It’s very enjoyable - a good way to start your Tuesday.
Tolpuddle Old Chapel is opposite Orchard Meadow Play Park.
Come and join us
Enquiries to Heather: email: hshore1@btinternet.com
WEDNESDAYS
Men's Coffee Morning
at The Martyrs Inn 11.00 - 12.00
First Wednesday of the Month
Come along and meet and make new friends, and get together with existing friends. Everyone welcome.
Iyengar Yoga
Village Hall || Wednesdays throughout the year
Wednesdays || 11.00 - 12.30
Wednesdays || 19.00 - 20.30
(Additional class at Milborne St Andrew Sports Pavilionl || Tuesdays || 18:15 - 19:45)
All classes are mixed ability and suitable for everyone of all ages - flexibility is not a requirement!
Iyengar yoga focuses on correct alignment, with clear demonstration and instructions that allow students to learn the poses (asanas) at their own pace. Props are used to help students if a pose initially proves difficult to achieve. Over time and with regular practice, students develop a deeper understanding of these poses, gain strength and freedom in the body and awareness of the connections between the body, breath and mind. The classes end with 10 mins relaxation.
£8 per session if paying for whole half term || £10 per session pay as you go
More information can be found at www.dhiy.org or www.Iyengaryoga.org.uk
Please contact Sue Chapman for more information: 01305 848053
Book Club in the Martyrs Inn
First Wednesday of each month
19.00
Just bring the book you are reading and chat over a glass or cup of something lovely.
Update: please contact the pub for any enquiries:
01305 602115
Talk, Sip and Supper at the Martyrs Inn
Third Wednesdays of the Month at 7pm
An invited speaker and supper. Cost for each evening will be £12 which includes the talk and supper, £1 of which will be donated to the charity the pub supports: the British Homeless Veterans Fund.
Pre booking essential.
Contact Annette 07977 421336 or the Martyrs Inn to book 01305 602115
THURSDAYS
Tolpuddle Old Chapel Open Mornings 2026
The Old Chapel is now open on Thursday mornings from 10 am til 12 noon during the summer season.
Private group visits can be arranged by emailing info@tolpuddleoldchapeltrust.org
For more information please visit the Old Chapel website........
Ladies Coffee Mornings
Thursdays in the Martyrs Inn
11.00 to 12.00
Come along and meet and make new friends, and get together with existing friends. Everyone welcome.
Sam Buxton Physio-led Pilates || Tolpuddle Village Hall
Thursday evenings: 6.45pm and 7.45pm
(also daytime Tuesdays - see above)
(term time only)
Classes are led by Sam Buxton, Chartered Physiotherapist and APPI Pilates Instructor, with a focus on safe, effective movement and individual guidance.
Small class sizes
Friendly and welcoming atmosphere
Beautiful village hall setting
To find out more or book your place, please contact samjbuxton31@gmail.com
Knit and Natter at the Martyrs Inn
Second Thursdays of the month at 7pm Martyrs Inn
Held second Thursday of each month.
All welcome. Bring crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, tapestry - what you like - or just come along and enjoy a drink and a chat.
Quiz Night in the Martyrs Inn
Quiz Nights held last Thursday of the month. Teams of 6. 7.30 pm
It gets booked up very quickly so book your table asap 01305 602115
FRIDAYS
The 100 Club
Monthly Draw on the last Friday of each month at the Martyrs Inn at around 18.00
Results on the 100 Club page on this website.
SATURDAYS
Village Community Cafe at the Village Hall
Every Saturday morning from 9.30 am til 12ish
The Community Cafe is now open every Saturday unless otherwise notified (on Facebook or Website) from 9.30 am til 11.30 - 12 ish.
Come and see us for lovely coffee, teas, homemade cakes and pastries and of course to pick up your bakery order.
Occasionally there'll be bacon and sausage butties or a full English breakfast. Please see the events section of the website for these dates.
Bakery Order
Remember to text your order directly to the Burnt Squash Bakery by 5.30pm on Wednesdays for collection on Saturday mornings. Click here to find the bakery price list and how to order
SUNDAYS
Services at St John's Church
1st Sunday of the Month: Communion at 9.30 am
2nd Sunday of the Month: Reflection at 5.30 pm
3rd Sunday of the Month: Communion at 9.30 am
4th Sunday of the Month: Go Fourth at 10.00 am with coffee and cake
Contact Jayne Brayshaw, Churchwarden, 07739 100181 or email jayne.brayshaw9@yahoo.com