2026
Village Shop news – It’s here…2027 Calendar HOT OFF THE PRESS – don’t miss this bumper edition – it’s a cracker!
See Clubs for calendar of events in the Bladen Social Club.
November
Sunday 8 November – Village War Memorial, Bladen Valley
There will be a short service starting at 10:50am to remember those from the Parish who died in service during both World Wars.
Sunday 8 November – Briantspuddle Village Hall – 3pm
Tuesday 17 November – St Laurence’s Church – annual Gift Day
to raise funds for the upkeep and work of the parish church. Join us for coffee and cake in Briantspuddle Village Hall, 10:30-12:30.
If you are unable to attend, donations are also gratefully received online via the West Purbeck Benefice page.
Friday 20 – Monday 30 November – various road closures around Moreton level crossing involving road maintenance work including resurfacing. For full details see Public Notice below:
Monday 30 November – Tuesday 1 December – Road closure between Bladen Valley and Briantspuddle for Openreach work to replace a pole. This has been postponed with no timescale given.
December
Sunday 6 December – Christmas Fayre
11am – 3pm Briantspuddle Village Hall
If you would like to have a stall, or could lend a hand on the day please get in touch with Ali Chorley alichorley@yahoo.co.uk
Sunday 6 December – Briantspuddle Village Shop extended opening hours until 3pm
Please call is to discuss and place any orders for Christmas.
2027
January
Defibrillator Training
The training will take place on Saturday 9th January 2027 in the Village Hall main hall. There will be two one-hour sessions: 9.30 am to 10.30 am, and 11 am to 12 noon. The sessions are the same, so residents can select the session that suits them best.
Weekly activities at Briantspuddle Village Hall
For more details on the regular activities see the Clubs, Sports and Activities page on the website. To host or run a new activity using the Village Hall, please contact the Hall Committee.
Monday 19:30 – 21:30 – Short Mat Bowls
Monday 09:00 – 1000 – Pilates class
Tuesday 19:30 – 21:30 – Briantspuddle Singers
Friday 21:00 – 23:00 – League Skittles
Saturday 10:00 – 12:00 – Coffee Shop in the Jubilee Room
Parish Magazine
Bere Regis and Affpuddle Parish Magazine is produced in A5 format and is available to buy from the Village Shop for £1. You can also read it directly from the Bere Regis website:
www.bereregis.org/emags/oct2026/
Local and Parish News
Footpath between Briantspuddle and Affpuddle
A Parishioner made the Parish Council aware that there was support in the Parish to establish a footpath connecting Briantspuddle and Affpuddle. At the moment, walking along the lanes is considered dangerous and, as such, discourages pedestrians from walking between these villages. Cllr Hall offered to approach landowners about establishing a footpath through their land to better and more safely connect Briantspuddle and Affpuddle for pedestrians.
Wildfire Risk
Preparing for the risk of wildfire
Most recently the Parish Council has been in touch with Firewise, part of the Dorset Heaths Partnership, which works in conjunction with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. You can find out more about Firewise Dorset by accessing the following link www.dorsetheaths.org.uk/firewise/
Firewise has printed a leaflet for the Parish Council entitled “Preparing your home for wildfire” to deliver to residents in the Parish. The leaflet includes practical steps householders can take around the home and garden. It also includes a checklist for an evacuation. The message is “be prepared”. The leaflets will be delivered to homes across the Parish in November. Winter is the time to prepare for next summer, and the wildfire risks the weather may bring.
We all get a lot of junk email, but please do look out for this leaflet. You can also access the leaflet online with the following link www.dorsetheaths.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Preparing-your-home-for-wildfire.pdf
Earlier Fire Risk activity
Following the August Meeting, the Parish Council contacted Forestry England and Dorset Council about concerns raised by residents.
The Parish Council asked Forestry England to close the Briantspuddle and Culpeppers Dish Car Parks they manage, adjacent to the B3390, until the end of the season. The request aimed to minimise the use of BBQs that might accidentally cause a wildfire. While the Officer was sympathetic, she did not believe the risk was severe enough to close the car parks to the public. Instead, she pointed to the signs that had been erected warning of the risk of fire and other work to educate and raise awareness amongst the general public about the risk.
Our County Councillor posed a couple of questions to Dorset Council on our behalf:
We requested signs to be erected next to the road across Turnerspuddle Heath, asking drivers and pedestrians to take their rubbish home with them, as it is a fire risk. Dorset Council responded that it is possible, but only if the Parish Council contributed to the cost.
We asked the question “who has oversight at county level in drawing together landowners and residents in a common understanding of responsibilities relating to wildfire risk in Dorset?” We received the following reply: “There is no single organisation responsible for all aspects. Wildfire resilience is inherently a multi-agency matter involving landowners, Dorset Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, partner agencies within the Dorset Local Resilience Forum, public health organisations, rural land management bodies and local communities. Through these partnerships, agencies work together to promote awareness, prevention and preparedness, while individual landowners remain responsible for managing risks on their own land.”
Dorset Council also commented about their commitment to consider lessons learnt from this summer for the future:
“Regarding signage and public awareness, Dorset Council and partner organisations continue to support seasonal campaigns highlighting wildfire risks, responsible countryside behaviour, litter reduction and the dangers associated with discarded glass, BBQs and open flames. Opportunities to strengthen these arrangements and improve community engagement for future summers are currently being considered as part of wider lessons identified from this year’s periods of sustained hot weather.”
The Parish Council has asked our County Councillor to advise on the progress and outcomes of the lessons learnt exercise.
For advice in event of fire or flood please see our Local Issues page for relevant information. See also the Dorset Heath Partnership advice on wildfires in the Heath, Woodland and River Valley section of the website.
Briantspuddle water meadows – bridge over the River Piddle on the Jubilee Trail
Several reports have been made to Dorset Council regarding the poor condition of the bridge, the most recent being a broken step on the south side (replaced by sandbags) and a fallen branch (now cleared). The Rights of Way team have responded to advise that a new bridge is planned to be in place before Christmas. However, in the meantime, and in view of its popular use, they will keep the bridge passable with temporary repairs.
Become a Parish Councillor
The Parish Council has three vacancies, and we’d love to hear from local people who care about where they live and want to make a positive difference.
Parish Councillors play an important role in helping our parish thrive, from representing residents’ views to undertaking local projects and maintaining services. It’s a rewarding way to get involved, meet others, and make a real contribution to Parish life. Contact the Parish Council for more information.