News Items
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TOLPUDDLE AND SOUTHOVER NEWS 2025
See also the
The NET - Tolpuddle and Southover's bi-monthly Newsletter
News Archive 2024
News Archive 2023
News Archive 2022 and before
for older news.......
2025
Friday, 30 May, 2025
Tolpuddle Village Hall Annual General Meeting
Tolpuddle Village Hall, Friday, 30 May, 2025 at 6.45pm
Tolpuddle Village Hall Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No: 1195647)
Tolpuddle Village Hall Charity (No: 257403) *
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025
6.45pm, Friday 30 May 2025 at the Village Hall
All are most welcome to attend the Joint Annual General Meeting of the above two charities which share the task of running Tolpuddle Village Hall.
Agenda:
1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of last year’s AGM and matters arising
4. Presentation of report and accounts
5. Election of chairman, secretary and treasurer for old charity (257403)
6. Open Forum for questions, comments and ideas
7. Any other business
* There are two charities at present because, while the original charity (257403) continues to own the land and buildings, the new charity (1195647), set up in the currently recommended form for village hall charities, is responsible for running the Hall. In due course the land and building will transfer to the new charity and the old one will be wound up.
1 May, 2025
Village Hall - Martyrs' Festival 18-20 July, 2025
It’s that time of year again! Volunteers needed for Martyrs Festival 2025.
The annual Martyrs Festival in Tolpuddle will take place over the weekend of 18-20 July and we’re hoping for another successful year. As usual, we shall be providing daily breakfasts at the Martyrs’ Field and refreshments at Tolpuddle Village Hall throughout Sunday 20th. Proceeds from both, together with carparking on the Sunday, contribute significant funding for St John’s Church and the village hall which help to support local activities throughout the year. Both the hall and the church are undertaking works this year, so fundraising is more important than ever.
As ever, we are looking for help with various aspects of the day’s catering, including:
providing some of the food;
setting up the hall on Saturday afternoon/evening; and
serving and clearing up in the hall on the day.
In particular, we would like:
• Homemade cakes of all shapes, sizes and flavours*
• Homemade quiches*
• Help with setting up tables and chairs from 6.00pm on Saturday 19th
*help with the cost of the ingredients can be provided, if needed
We were very grateful to all those who helped last year and, once again, we are seeking volunteers for this year. If you would be willing to help with any – or all – the items listed above, please email or text Margaret Walton (maclark2@btinternet.com or 07740622415) to let her know what you would be prepared to do. It would be helpful if those who volunteered last year could reconfirm their willingness to do so again and availability etc. If you are new to the village, this is a great way to meet people and help the village at the same time. We look forward to hearing from you and many thanks in advance.
The Martyrs Team
1 May, 2025
Tolpuddle Village - Martyrs' Festival Breakfasts
We have been invited again to provide breakfasts to campers during the Martyrs Festival. Therefore, as in the past, we will be up on the Martyrs Field providing Cooked Breakfasts. This has been a successful money raising exercise for both the Village Hall and St John’s Church in the past, as well as being a very enjoyable and fun social gathering for all those participating.
Your reward is to sit down to a cooked breakfast at the end.
We are looking for volunteers to help on Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of July cooking and serving from 0700 until 0930. You do not need to be a skilled cook as we will provide expert training!
If you are interested, please contact Jonathan Van Baars (jonathan@vanbaars.co.uk) or Andy Turner (apturner55@gmail.com)
1 May, 2025
Puddletown Area Parish Council
A reminder that Stefan Giancola is our local Parish Councillor and can be contacted on any issues you would like to be raised.
Email: cllrsgiancola@puddletownareaparishcouncil.gov.uk
www.puddletownareaparishcouncil.co.uk
1 May, 2025
Tolpuddle Village Resources
We are pleased to say that we now have a new home for our village resources as Michael Slocock from Southover has very kindly offered the village some space in his shed to store the marquee, table and chairs that we use for any of the outside events that are run in Orchard Meadow. This is very much appreciated and we thank Michael for allow us to use this facility. Big thanks to Hilly and John for looking after these resources for many years in their barn.
1 May, 2025
Tolpuddle Old Chapel
The Old Chapel is now open every Thursday Morning 10am until 12pm. Volunteers are on hand to answer any questions.
Every Tuesday sees the Readers Group getting together 10.30am until 12 noon.
The first Monday in each month (5th May and the 2nd June) is when the Crafty Conversation group meet and
on Thursday 15th May and 19th June, the Creative Clay group meet once more.
For more details and information about the Old Chapel, please take a look at their web site https://tolpuddleoldchapeltrust.org
17 April, 2025
Tolpuddle Events Committee
With the Chair and Secretary of TEC standing down at the recent AGM held on 18 March, 2025 and no one stepping forward to replace them, we have unfortunately had to wind up the TEC group and its event and fund raising activities. A big Thank You and Well Done to the team for all their hard work over the years and for raising a sizeable sum of much needed funds for the Village Hall and Church.
The good news is that Annette Pitman and Anna Gibson have taken up the mantle to run village events and fund raising under a different banner. Watch this page and also the Events pages for more updates.
Ian Cray - Ex-Chair, TEC
28 March, 2025
Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust
The Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust is seeking expressions of interest in joining its Board of Trustees.We currently have two vacancies, following the retirement of the current Chair, Professor Philip Martin and Tobias Carleton-Prangnell who have served for six and two years respectively. If you have an interest in heritage buildings and a few hours a week to spare to work with the existing trustees to help shape and develop the Chapel’s potential, this opportunity could be for you. Closing date Friday, 11 April, 2025
Full details on the Old Chapel website https://tolpuddleoldchapeltrust.org
1January, 2025
Tolpuddle Village Resources
Our village is very fortunate in that we do have many resources available to us when we hold events in Orchard Meadow. Tables, chairs and of course the Marquee. Our current storage facility will come to an end in October 2025 so we are now looking for alternative accommodation. If anyone can help us with this then please contact either Ian on 07941 645303 or Jonathan on 07887 657256
1 January, 2025
Tolpuddle Events Committee
We are on the look out for new members to join the Tolpuddle Events Committee. We meet once a month and plan out future social events to take place in the village. If you think you can help, please contact Sue on 07515 656431 or tolpuddleevents@gmail.com for more info.
1 January, 2025
Tolpuddle Events Committee - Update on Orchard Meadow Electricity
We can now report that the electricity supply in Orchard Meadow is now safe for at least the coming year. It was agreed and passed at the November Parish Council Meeting that a new supplier will be appointed who does not require a standing charge but will charge more for each unit of electricity. The contract is only for one year at present but a great result for the village.
1 January, 2025
Martyrs Inn
After a busy Christmas and New Year period, the Martyrs Inn Team are taking a well deserved break and the pub will be closed from Wednesday 1st January until Tuesday 7th January, 2025.
For winter hours and all enquiries please call the Pub on 01305 602115
1 January, 2025
St John's Church
Thanks to all those involved with the Christmas Raffle in the Pub which was drawn on 22 December, 2024 while our magnificent Brass Band took a much deserved break. It raised a fabulous sum of £465, which together with the collection from the Crib Service has been sent to the Children’s Society.
Look out for scaffolding on the church roof in January - really hoping that the appointed roofers will start work on the North Copper Roof.
New Year Resolutions - perhaps you might like to try one of our services to see if it suits you? The service plans are here.
We are all too aware that many rural churches are under threat of closure.
1 January, 2025
The NET
Tolpuddle and Southover Newsletter - Issue 8 about to be delivered to all households in the two villages. Can also be viewed electronically on The NET page on this website.