Benefice Profile.pdf - Diocese of Salisbury

BENEFICE PROFILE
Holy Rood, Buckland Newton
St Mary’s, Cerne Abbas
St Andrew’s, Minterne Magna
Holy Trinity, Godmanstone
The Dorchester Deanery † The Salisbury Diocese

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CONTENTS
Welcome from the Churchwardens
The Facts and Figures
New Incumbent Profile
Our Regular Pattern of Services
Meet The Team
The Four Parishes
Landscape and Village Overviews
Our Church Life
Life in our Communities
Our Church of England Schools
The Vicarage
WHERE WE ARE
The benefice is situated mid-way
between Sherborne and Dorchester in
West Dorset.
Cerne Abbas, Godmanstone and
Minterne Magna are on the A352,
whilst the parish of Buckland Newton,
which is much more spread out, is based
around the B3143 and surrounding
country lanes.
Exact parish boundaries can be viewed
on the ‘A Church Near You’ website.

WELCOME FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
Holy Rood - Buckland Newton
St Mary’s - Cerne Abbas
Thank you for taking the time to read our Benefice Profile. We
hope it provides a useful insight into life in our four parishes.
This profile outlines both what a prospective candidate can
expect to find and, in turn, what we are seeking from him or her.
The benefice in its present form, comprising Buckland Newton,
Cerne Abbas, Godmanstone and Minterne, was formed in
November 2002 and lies midway between Sherborne and
Dorchester. There is a possibility that by 2016 the benefice could
be enlarged by the addition of another three small parishes with
a House for Duty appointment, for which the incumbent of this
benefice would be responsible as priest-in-charge.
Although Cerne Abbas is a well defined centre of population in
a rural setting, the other parishes, especially Buckland Newton,
tend to be more rural and spread out. On the one hand, it is an
agricultural area with all the issues that currently have to be faced
in rural Britain. On the other hand, many people live here and
travel to work elsewhere, work from home, or are retired.
There is a Church of England VC Primary School in Buckland
Newton and a Church of England VC First School in Cerne
Abbas, both of which draw their pupils from a wider area than
that covered by the benefice.
The vicarage for the benefice is situated in Cerne Abbas, some
350 yards from the Church.
This profile will show that whilst there is cross-parish activity
based around the choir, mission and healing prayer, each parish
has its own distinct character. Information is exchanged monthly
via ‘The Newsletter’, a 36 page publication, delivered free to 650
households, at no cost to the benefice.
Holy Trinity - Godmanstone
St Andrew’s - Minterne Magna
THE FACTS AND FIGURES
Buckland
Newton
Cerne Abbas Godmanstone
Minterne
Magna
Approx population 620 650 165 170
Church Capacity 180 200 80 70
Church Elec. Roll May ’10 59 113 30 20
Church Membership May ‘10 50 116 21 13
Easter ‘09 (Stats for Mission) 83 75 29 31
Christmas ‘09 (Stats for Mission) 120 273 105 -
Baptisms Sept-Aug ‘10 4 5 0 0
Weddings Sept-Aug ‘10 0 4 0 0
Funerals Sept-Aug ‘10 10 12 1 1
Share Category May ‘10 C C C B
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NEW INCUMBENT PROFILE
The new Incumbent’s calling, enthusiasm and dedication to be
a parish priest are taken as a key assumption in laying out this
profile. The parishes are clearly individual, but enjoy friendly
relationships within the benefice. As such, each parish is looking
for a person who is their ‘parish priest’, albeit shared with others.
The Churchwardens and PCCs are looking for a priest
• who is a person of prayer, strong faith and a clear vocation.
• who will be supportive of the lay led, more informal worship
and family services within the benefice, whilst encouraging a
sense of belonging within the Anglican liturgical tradition.
• who will seek to rejuvenate established congregations,
demonstrating the relevance of the gospel to young and old.
• who believes that music has an important role in worship.
• who has an empathy and an ability to communicate with a
varied population.
• who will nurture and encourage the laity in their various
ministries, lead and inspire them in their spirituality and
discipleship, and welcome their input to ensure a close
working relationship, furthering the mission of the church.
• who will wish to work with, in, and for the wider community,
looking for involvement in the general life of the villages,
accepting that there are four parishes in the benefice, all
calling for a share of the inevitably limited time available.
Churchgoing parishioners play a full part in the Christian life and
activities of their parish and support the combined efforts of the
benefice. The priest will need to be inspired by the thought of
working in a rural and agricultural environment, and with people
not of a rural background who have chosen to live here. There
are many who are retired and elderly, but there are also families
with children of all ages who should not be overlooked.
It follows that we need an enthusiastic, motivated priest who is at
ease among villagers of diverse backgrounds, and willing to join
in with social functions throughout the benefice.
Benefice Pilgrimage to Hilfield Friary
Villagers help the National Trust
re-chalk the Cerne Giant
Flower Festival
at Buckland Newton
Cerne Abbas Open Gardens
plant stall
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Minterne Gardens Open Day in aid of St Andrew’s Church

The Crocus Walk in aid of
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
The Young Voices and friends sing to
raise money for Haiti’s children
Summer fete at Godmanstone
Mission Partners Sam & Violette
Beaton from Madagascar (USPG)
Whilst there are core groups of regular churchgoers, there are
also ‘occasionals’ and many people who are unsure when
it comes to Christianity. Bellringers, cleaners and those who
maintain churchyards and support the churches in other ways
may not attend services but are still considered active members
of our churches. The benefice parishes are ‘Broad Church’ with a
strong emphasis on the Eucharist, whilst also enjoying a variety of
worship reflecting the mix of communities.
Not surprisingly, there is wider appeal for Harvest Festivals, Carol
services, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday and the churches are
often filled to capacity for funerals.
Weddings and Baptisms are more frequent at Buckland Newton
and Cerne Abbas than in the smaller parishes. The Christingle
Service is popular at Buckland Newton and Remembrance
Sunday at Cerne Abbas is a major event for the Cerne Valley.
Attracting families is not easy and requires much encouragement
of parents. Although this situation has improved in recent times,
especially in Buckland Newton and Cerne Abbas, there is still
much work to be done.
The VC Church of England schools in Buckland Newton and
Cerne Abbas look to their priest for support and historically the
vicar has had a high profile in both schools, taking an active role
in many areas.
TO SUMMARISE In their new Incumbent, the parishes are
looking for someone who has a broad and sound faith, lives out
the Gospel and who is able to inspire those around him or her.
He or she should also be willing to participate in the broader
aspects of village life. The nature of the job will require an ability
to conduct different types of service at different times and places.
They will range from Common Worship to the still popular Prayer
Book services together with genuine family services in which the
young and their parents look forward to participating.
In all this, the priest will be supported by churchgoers and, in the
leading of services, by visiting clergy, Licensed Lay Ministers and
laity keen to work collaboratively using their individual gifts.
Harvest Lunch for 105 people in aid of Send A Cow.
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REGULAR PATTERN OF WORSHIP
Our service pattern is shown with average congregation figures.
The four parishes agree that the current pattern of services suits all
concerned, not envisaging any major changes in the foreseeable
future.
Services in Buckland Newton and Cerne Abbas are organ and
choir led with the Mass of St. Thomas being used during CW
Holy Communion. Godmanstone and Minterne Magna services
are accompanied by music played on compact disc.
8am services and the mid-week Holy Communion are said.
The congregation arrive for an
animal service at Cerne Abbas
1st Sunday of the month
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP Buckland Newton 12
9.30 am Mattins BCP Godmanstone 15 Lay Led
9.30 am Holy Communion BCP Minterne 6
11.00 am Mattins BCP Buckland Newton 30 Visiting Clergy/LLM
11.00 am Holy Communion CW Cerne Abbas 44
6.00 pm Evening Praise* Cerne Abbas 21 Lay Team
Blessing the bells at Godmanstone
following restoration
2nd Sunday of the month
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP Cerne Abbas 20
9.30 am Holy Communion CW Godmanstone 8
11.00 am Holy Communion CW Buckland Newton 30
11.00 am Mattins BCP Cerne Abbas 33 Visiting Clergy/LLM
3rd Sunday of the month
9.30 am Family Praise Buckland Newton 15
9.30 am Matins BCP Minterne 11 Lay Led
11.00 am Holy Communion CW Cerne Abbas 44
6.00 pm Evensong BCP Buckland Newton 10
Refreshments at the Manor after the
annual Evensong at Upcerne Church
4th Sunday of the month
9.30 am Come, Celebrate! Cerne Abbas 53
9.30 am Matins BCP Godmanstone 15 Lay Led
11.00 am Holy Communion BCP Buckland Newton 30
6.00 pm Evensong BCP Cerne Abbas 22
5th Sunday of the month (where applicable)
School Christingle Service
A benefice service of Holy Communion is held, rotating around the parishes.
Midweek Services
8.00 am Morning Prayer Mon Cerne Abbas
Tues Godmanstone
Wed Minterne
Fri Buckland Newton
Sat Cerne Abbas
10.00am Holy Communion Thur Cerne Abbas BCP on 3rd Thur
* Once a quarter there is a Taizé style service
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Enjoying mulled cider following the
Epiphany service at Nether Cerne

MEET THE TEAM MEMBERS
Sharing a ploughmans with Brothers
from Hilfield Friary
Buckland Newton cyclists on the
Historic Churches Cycle Ride
The Friday morning
School Assembly team
Carol singing around the village in
aid of The Children’s Society
Inside All Saints at Nether Cerne
Each parish has its own PCC, all are chaired by the vicar and
meet regularly. In recent times, a joint PCC meeting has been
held annually, usually with a discussion theme. Previous topics
include ‘Communion before Confirmation’, ‘Shared Mission’ and
‘Patterns of worship within the benefice’.
Churchwardens meet with the vicar as necessary and have a joint
meeting with PCC treasurers at least once a year.
Within the benefice there are four Lay Pastoral Assistants and, for
the larger services, well-trained servers and intercessors. At present
there are no retired clergy active in the benefice, but there is a third
year Ordinand, who hopes to take up non-stipendiary ministry
in the benefice and who will continue to reside in Cerne Abbas.
There are several Lay Leadership teams, responsible for planning
and leading some services.
BUCKLAND NEWTON PCC comprises one churchwarden, two
Deanery Synod representatives and nine lay members.
In addition to a Standing Committee there are three subcommittees.
Charities - meet from time to time to propose changes
to the PCC charitable giving policy. Events - generate ideas for
fund-raising and take responsibility for putting them into effect. It
also recognises that not all events are fund-raising initiatives but
are done for the community and to share the generosity of God’s
gifts to us. Worship - taking overall responsibility for the planning
and organising of worship throughout the year. A separate team
organises the content and activities for the monthly Family Service.
CERNE ABBAS PCC comprises two Churchwardens, two
Deanery Synod representatives and seven lay members.
In addition to a Standing Committee there are six task groups.
Education & Mission - links with mission agencies, children’s work
and lay education. Fete - all aspects of this major fund raiser.
Finance - financial management and stewardship. Property
- maintenance of the fabric of the church. Social - Events and
hospitality, including the Harvest Lunch and Newcomers’ Party.
Squibb Garden - maintenance of the church quiet garden.
There are three additional teams; one organising ‘Come
Celebrate!’, one responsible for ‘Evening Praise’ and a third that
plans and takes weekly assembly in school.
GODMANSTONE PCC comprises two Churchwardens, two
Deanery Synod representative and four lay members and
operates without any sub-committees.
MINTERNE MAGNA PCC comprises one Churchwarden, one
Deanery Synod representative and six lay members and operates
without any sub-committees.
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LOCATION and VILLAGE OVERVIEWS
Our benefice is situated between Sherborne and Dorchester,
within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Dorset.
Buckland Newton is on the edge of the Blackmore Vale, on the
B3143, whilst Cerne Abbas, Godmanstone and Minterne Magna
are all located on or just off the A352 in the beautiful Cerne
Valley. All four parishes are in conservation areas and all the
churches are Grade I listed, except Grade II* St Andrew’s.
BUCKLAND NEWTON The parish comprises Buckland Newton
village and the surrounding hamlets of Beaulieu Wood,
Bookham, Cosmore, Duntish, Henley and Woolford’s Water.
There is a varied mix of agriculture, local businesses, people
working from home or in nearby towns and villages and retired
people. There is the busy Gaggle of Geese pub, an excellent
village store and post office, a CE VC primary school and the
13th century Church of the Holy Rood.
There are spectacular views across the Blackmore Vale landscape
to the north as far as King Alfred’s Tower and southwards along
the English Channel to the Isle of Wight, which can be seen
on a clear day. The ridge of the Dorset Downs dominates the
landscape and has shaped how the area has been farmed,
giving rise to steep, grassland fields, woodland and copse, while
the fertile Blackmore Vale has been ploughed to produce crops.
CERNE ABBAS The landscape is mainly chalk downland and
fertile valleys with farming the principal activity. The main land
holdings are in the ownership of Minterne, Up Cerne and Nether
Cerne estates, intermingled with smaller farms, two of which are
organic. On the northern edge of the village is the world famous
Cerne Giant, a figure of a man some 190 feet high carved into the
hillside, which many believe to be pre Roman.
The village is exceptionally attractive, with many ancient and
listed buildings, which were built over the centuries around the
ancient Abbey founded by the Benedictines in 987AD. The
village benefits from three pubs, a tea room, a village shop
with post office, a clothes and gift shop, a CE VC first school
and the 14th century St. Mary’s Church. There is a surgery, a
secure residential nursing home for patients with various forms of
dementia, and the very striking benefice vicarage.
UP CERNE and NETHER CERNE The hamlet of Up Cerne to the
north of Cerne Abbas comprises a handful of houses, Up Cerne
Manor and a small privately owned Norman church.
The hamlet of Nether Cerne, is just to the south. All Saints church
is now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust.
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Views up the Cerne Valley from
south of Godmanstone
Views over Buckland Newton
Cerne Abbas and Giant Hill, from
Black Hill
Walkers gather outside St Mary’s for
the annual Beating of the Bounds
Up Cerne Manor and Church,
north of Cerne Abbas

Godmanstone village and
surrounding countryside
The recently refurbished ‘Old Chapel
Stores’, Buckland Newton
The hamlet of Nether Cerne, north of
Godmanstone
GODMANSTONE This is a fairly small, linear village situated
alongside the River Cerne. Many residents are retired, whilst
others work locally, a few on the farms. There are several bed
and breakfast establishments including one that is vegetarian, but
there are no general shops or industries, apart from agriculture.
There are two farm shops, Manor Farm with its organic dairy
herd and Green Valley at Longmeadow selling a wide range
of organically produced goods. Close to the 11th century Holy
Trinity Church is the village hall, which is currently undergoing
extensive refurbishment to provide better facilities.
MINTERNE MAGNA This parish runs from Minterne Parva
to Farthing Gate, taking in the hamlets of Lyon’s Gate and
Middlemarsh. Alongside the 17th century St Andrew’s Church
is historic Minterne House with its beautiful gardens designed in
Capability Brown style. It is currently home to the Digby family
and, formerly, to the first Sir Winston Churchill (father of Sir
John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough) and Admiral Henry Digby
(commander of HMS Africa at the battle of Trafalgar), both of
whom are buried here. There is a busy pub at Middlemarsh with
a large restaurant and, elsewhere in the parish, a selection of bed
& breakfast and chalet accommodation. There is also a caravan
park with fishing lakes, swimming pool and a clubhouse.
OUR CHURCH LIFE
Lydden Vale Walkers heading to
Minterne Magna
Minterne House and Gardens
The parishes have their own individual mission partners, but there
are two, USPG and Hilfield, that are shared by all. Benefice
services are held every fifth Sunday, rotating around the four
churches, with two being currently linked to our shared mission.
The benefice has very strong links with the nearby Franciscan
Friary at Hilfield and a benefice pilgrimage is held annually to
share afternoon tea and Evensong with the Brothers.
Members from Buckland Newton and Cerne Abbas choirs
occasionally come together to form the forty strong ‘Benefice
Choir’, particularly noted for performances at the Carol Services
in Buckland and Cerne, where their anthems and descants
provide an uplifting introduction to Christmas in the benefice.
The two schools meet in their respective churches at various times
of the year for their own special services.
The churches in Up Cerne and Nether Cerne come to life and use
annually. A summer Evensong is held in Up Cerne and at least
one service during the year at Nether Cerne. These services enjoy
capacity congregations.
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OUR CHURCH LIFE cont.
BUCKLAND NEWTON The earliest part of Holy Rood Church
was built in the 13th century. There were additions in the 15th
century and major restoration works in the 19th and 20th
centuries, culminating in recent work to renovate the organ and
place it on a gallery in the west end of the nave. Recent work has
been funded thanks to the ‘Dibben Bequest’ received in 1991.
Although the PCC no longer has to find money for repair bills, it
is their goal that today’s worshippers should contribute both to
the day-to-day running costs and the diocesan contribution.
The tower has six bells, two dating from 1581 and 1609, that are
rung on a regular basis.
Incorporated within the monthly schedule of services is a short,
informal service, designed primarily with children and families
in mind. However, all ages are welcome and adults who attend
this service often remark how much they enjoy this very relaxed
form of worship. Refreshments are served after the service,
providing an opportunity for all to chat and for children to enjoy
biscuits and squash. There is a choir, which rehearses fortnightly,
comprising both church and non-church members.
A Contemplative Prayer Group meets monthly.
CERNE ABBAS The 14th century church of St. Mary, with
its commanding tower, stands in the centre of the village.
Considerably extended in the 15th and 16th centuries, it is in a
good state of repair and PCC finances are reasonably healthy.
The 1864 organ, built by Joseph Walker recently underwent an
extensive refurbishment at a cost of £21,000. The bell tower
houses six bells and there is an enthusiastic team of ringers, many
of whom are youngsters. The burial ground lies some 100 yards
from the church at the north end of Abbey Street and is managed
by the Parish Council. Within the burial ground lies the ancient
and holy well of St. Augustine.
As part of the regular pattern of worship, ‘Family Praise’ has
been re-vamped as ‘Come Celebrate!’, aiming to provide
something for everyone and is currently the best attended service,
with refreshments offered afterwards.
There are assorted groups of adults and children that lead the
singing during services. In addition, for special services such
as Easter and Harvest, there is the ‘Festivals Choir’, a group
comprising both church and non-church members, who lead the
congregation and sing anthems.
The church is in constant use, not just for religious activities such
as ‘CAFÉ (Cerne Abbas Faith Exploration)’ and ‘Exploring the
Gospels’ but also for activities such as ‘Coffee Cake and Chat’,
Cerne Valley Art Exhibition,
St Mary’s Church
Cerne, Godmanstone and Minterne
Remembrance Day Parade
St Mary’s Church Fete
Cerne Abbas
Some benefice choir members with
Puddletown Wetherbury Singers
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The annual Newcomers Party
Cerne Abbas
Arts and Craft Exhibition,
Minterne Magna
Lunch-stop at Nether Cerne whilst
Beating the Bounds
Crusaders trip to the Isle of Wight
Volunteers service the church bells in
St Mary’s
which is a PCC initiated, community led monthly event. It is also
the venue for the bi-annual Cerne Valley Art Exhibition and for
the past twenty years, has been home to the 5-day Cerne Abbas
Music Festival, featuring the world-renowned Gaudier Ensemble,
which attracts visitors from all over the country.
Crusaders, for the 5-9 age group, is flourishing, with around 15
meeting weekly in the village hall during term time.
A group of volunteers visit residents at the Care Home and
Holy Communion is celebrated there fortnightly. A group of five
volunteers take assembly in school once a week using the ‘Open
the Book’ course of Bible stories.
GODMANSTONE Holy Trinity Church dates back to the 11th
century and an unusual feature is the glazed priest’s door in the
chancel. A considerable sum has been spent on roof repairs and
bell restoration in recent years. Internally some wooden flooring
needs to be replaced and redecoration is necessary as much
plaster has perished. The ex-harmonium organ is very old and in
need of renovation. It is used occasionally, but ordinarily hymns
are played from CD.
Of the three services held each month, the two BCP Matins are
led by a lay member of the congregation and refreshments are
served at the first Matins of the month, usually a very pleasant
social occasion. Attendance overall at Holy Trinity has risen in the
past two years.
Members of the PCC receive welcome support from villagers who
voluntarily contribute to the maintenance and life of the church
including the annual spring clean, upkeep of the churchyard,
contributions for Christmas and harvest refreshments, fund raising
and the flower rota. The annual summer fete and carol singing
around the village are joint ventures between the PCC and the
village hall committee.
MINTERNE MAGNA St. Andrew’s Church is universally praised
as charming, beautiful and peaceful. It has memorials to the
Churchill, Digby and Napier families, and many beautiful
stained glass windows. The main fabric is in good repair. The
church has a set of bells (which need new ropes) and an eight
day chiming clock. Whilst the regular congregation is small, the
Harvest Festival and supper, an annual event for the community,
is attended on average by forty-five members of the parish. The
annual Minterne Gardens Open Day, an Arts & Crafts Exhibition
held in church, a soup lunch and a contribution from the Cerne
Abbas Open Gardens provide welcome financial support. There
is a Roman Catholic Church at Middlemarsh, which has regular
services using the Tridentine Rite, for an eclectic congregation.
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LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
All four villages benefit from daily bus services to Dorchester and
Sherborne. There are fortnightly visits from the mobile library to
each village except Minterne Magna. Buckland and Minterne
have their own Parish Councils whilst Cerne Abbas, Up Cerne,
Nether Cerne and Godmanstone have a combined ‘Cerne
Valley’ Parish Council. Cerne Abbas Surgery is a dispensing
practice that provides medical care to rural communities in the
area between Dorchester, Sherborne and Sturminster Newton.
Broadband is readily available although mobile phone signals
can be difficult to find at times!
The benefice has two popular and successful village shops. In the
Cerne Valley, Cerne Abbas Stores has a full time post office and
provides a service three mornings a week to the newly refurbished
Buckland Newton Village Store. Both make a point of stocking as
much locally sourced produce as possible.
BUCKLAND NEWTON is fortunate in having many thriving local
services. The village pub, The Gaggle of Geese, offers a warm
welcome, quality wines and beers, and lunches and dinners to
suit all tastes. Skittles evenings, quiz nights and a biannual Goose
Fair are regular features.
Other local facilities include motor repair services, an electrical
engineer, fencing specialists, bespoke kitchen manufacturers, a
catering and cookery school...the list goes on!
The village hall is home to many groups and societies including
Lydden Vale Gardening Club, The Village Café, Lydden Ladies,
Buckland Newton Amateur Players and the Lunch Club. It is
used by the playschool on four mornings a week where children
under five are educated, stimulated and entertained by various
activities, and by the toddler and baby group, on Friday
mornings during term time, where parents and carers meet for
coffee and chat while babies and children can play in a safe
environment. It is also one of the venues for Dorset ArtsReach (an
organisation that brings professional theatre, music, dance and
art to rural villages). The Parish Council meet in the village hall or
the Parish Rooms, whilst the PCC meet in member's homes.
The Lydden Walkers are an active group, meeting to walk
together on a regular basis all over West Dorset.
The annual Fete is held on August Bank Holiday Monday, with all
funds raised going to support village activities, benefiting many
clubs and groups as well as the school and church. The Crocus
Walk in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer takes place in March.
Farming at Godmanstone
Buckland Newton Fete
Cerne Valley allotments
The once a month ‘Village Cafe’ in
Buckland Newton
94 Group outing to Lyme Regis
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Willing volunteers doing demolition
work at Godmanstone village hall
Cerne Valley Cricket Club
Trick or Treat? - Village children
enjoy Halloween
Locals, taking part in the Historic
Churches Cycle Ride, at Minterne
The Goose Auction at Buckland
Newton
CERNE ABBAS is a busy community with several small
businesses and good local facilities. In the summer months it
attracts tourists from across the UK and internationally. The three
pubs; The Giant Inn, The Royal Oak and The New Inn, together
with Abbots tearoom each have their own individual character
and are well patronized. The new village hall is in daily use.
It is home to, amongst others, The Cerne Valley Youth Club,
Crusaders, Cerne Abbas Society for Horticulture, Cerne Historical
Society, The 94 Group, Cerne Abbas Dramatic Society and
Cerne Valley Parish Council. There is regular short mat bowls,
keep fit and badminton whilst ArtsReach performances and sellout
Moviola screenings attract people from the whole benefice
and beyond. Away from the village hall, the Theatre Group make
regular visits to see local productions, there is a active youth
football club and the Cerne Valley Cricket Club. The annual
Open Gardens is always popular with locals and tourists and is a
successful charity fund-raiser.
The Rogation Sunday walk to ‘Beat the Bounds’ is an annual
event, attracting over a hundred people of all ages who walk all
or part of the 18 miles around the boundaries of Cerne Abbas,
Nether Cerne, Godmanstone and Up Cerne.
On the southern edge of the village are over sixty allotments, for
use by residents in both Cerne Abbas and Godmanstone.
GODMANSTONE The village hall is currently undergoing
refurbishment and improvement. It is used for village socials and
celebrations, village meetings and a share of the Cerne Valley
Parish Council meetings. The Cerne Valley Youth Club meet here
once a month. Children from Godmanstone attend Cerne Abbas
First School and when older, middle schools and the upper school
in Dorchester.
MINTERNE MAGNA There are very few facilities in Minterne
Magna although there are a number of small businesses
including a car breaker’s yard, car and garden machinery
repairs, a metal fabrication unit, a game supplier, a cabinetmaker
and a carpenter. With no village hall, residents make use
of St Andrew’s church or Cerne Abbas village hall and quite
happily join in with the vast range of events on offer within a
short drive. Both the Parish Council and the PCC meet at Minterne
House. The Open Day held at Minterne Gardens, in aid of St
Andrew’s Church, attracts over 600 visitors from all over the
county, who not only enjoy the splendour of the gardens, classic
cars, and an exhibition but can also browse and purchase from
an assortment of stalls including specialist plant sellers.
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OUR CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS
BUCKLAND NEWTON CE VC Primary School is centred around
the original Victorian school building with modern extensions in
keeping with its character. The School Motto ‘Every Child, Every
Chance, Everyday’ is firmly embedded in everything done.
‘This is a good school where pupils achieve well. Its particular
strengths are the exceptional care and support provided for the
pupils, and the excellent variety of ways in which pupils take
responsibility and contribute to the school community. (Ofsted)
The SIAS inspection last year confirmed the school was a place
where children felt valued and special as a result of the excellent
relationships therein based on Christian values of care, concern
and mutual respect as well as the partnership with the church
and community. Four classes offer a creative and balanced
curriculum. There are sports and activity clubs during lunch and
after school, and opportunities to play sports against other
schools, which pupils very much enjoy. The school works closely
with the Sherborne Schools Cluster, has the full range of Extended
Services, is a ‘Healthy School’, has an ActiveMark, UNICEF
Rights Respecting Level 1 (with Level 2 assessment pending) and
has just achieved a gold ArtsMark, one of a very few village
schools to have gained this award.
CERNE ABBAS CE VC First School Learn to love. Love to learn.
Respect the World - is the mission statement which sums up this
small school, with just three classes. The close-knit nature of the
whole community is clearly visible, with children showing care
and consideration for others even before entering the Reception
class. This is encouraged and built upon in order to foster cooperative
and collaborative work and the important qualities
of courtesy and respect for self and others. Every aspect of the
National Curriculum is on offer and more besides. Lunchtime
clubs, educational visits, a good range of information technology,
a full programme of outdoor education and games (often
supported by outside expertise) are also on offer. There is a
strong Christian ethos, which is strengthened by church links. In
addition, many members of the community are involved, helping
with collective worship, computer skills, science, gardening and
listening to reading. The school, a member of The Dorchester
Area Schools Partnership (DASP), is a UNICEF Right Respecting
School. It has National Healthy School Status, is an Eco School,
has been awarded an ActiveMark, a silver ArtsMark and has
Investors in People status. The school has recently achieved an ICT
mark – one of just ten schools in Dorset to have been awarded
this accolade.
Buckland Newton CE VC
Primary School
Cerne Abbas CE VC
First School
The newly constructed ‘Spiritual
Garden’ at Cerne Abbas School
Trees for Dorset Schools project
The Annual Village Clean-up
Page 14

THE VICARAGE
The vicarage
Lounge with views into the garden
Kitchen with oil fired aga
The vicarage for the benefice is situated in Cerne Abbas on
Back Lane, a short walk from the Church. The earliest part
was originally a farmhouse, built in 1711. In the 1840s it was
extended and made into the vicarage by a previous incumbent
and ancestor of Evelyn Waugh. It is set in a magnificent garden
with the vicarage field beyond.
The vicarage is in a very good state of repair and the
accommodation includes: Downstairs - a large living room, small
study/reception room, dining room, kitchen with oil-fired Aga,
utility room and cloak room. 1st floor - two large and one small
bedroom and two bathrooms. The current study is also on this
floor. Attic - two more bedrooms and storage area.
The attic was fitted with carpet by the previous incumbent,
who has left curtains and other fittings. In 2003, the diocese
re-carpeted the living room, dining room and study, provided
cushion-vinyl flooring in the kitchen and bathrooms and installed
a new kitchen.
Within the house is the ‘parish room’, with kitchenette and toilet.
With the consent of the incumbent, this has been used regularly
by Cerne Abbas PCC and occasionally by other organisations
when the meeting room at the village hall is unavailable.
Outside is a two-storey stable and garage block, and ample
parking. Part of the stable block is used by the PCC for storage
of tables, chairs, gazebos and an assortment of other equipment
used for church events and village fund-raisers.
By kind permission of the incumbent, the vicarage and its
splendid grounds have traditionally been used for the Cerne
Abbas annual church fete, an event attracting a large number of
visitors and raising in the region of £6,000 each year, as well as
being used for teas on other occasions.
Dining room
The gardens,
the field
and the
stable block
Page 15

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Churchwardens would like to express their thanks and
gratitude to the following who contributed photographs and other
material for this publication.
John Charman, Mo Chutter, Revd Canon Karen Curnock, Karen
and Tom Handley, John Paterson, David Pinder, Richard Hartley-
Sharpe, Maureen & John Hartley, Fiona Hyden, John Lamper,
Sally MacFarlane, Robin Mills, David and Wendy Morris, George
Mortimer, Terry Orchard, John Sinnamon, Ted Stannard, Cheryl
Spray, Jane Tearle, Marilyn Tite, John Tucker, The Lydden Walkers
and Minterne House.
All photographs are copyright and no part of this publication may
be reproduced in any form without permission.
Useful website links
Benefice Website
www.beneficenews.co.uk
Buckland Newton information www.bucklandnewton.com
Buckland Newton school www.bucklandnewton.dorset.sch.uk
Cerne Abbas school www.cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk
Produced by the benefice of Buckland Newton, Cerne Abbas, Godmanstone and
Minterne Magna September 2010