We’re now open again! Come in and see us!

After reopening the Museum on Sat 22 May, we’ll now be open every Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sun, 2.00-5.00pm until the end of September, as well as bank holiday Mondays.

So please do come in to say hello and have a look at the exhibits and the wide selection of greeting cards and small gifts in our shop.

Please be assured that you’ll feel safe in the Museum as we have careful Covid-19 protection protocols in place: hand sanitizer, one-way system, social distancing, only a small number of people allowed entry at the same time, etc.

Volunteers needed!

Please come and join our friendly team of volunteers who welcome visitors to the Museum. It’s a great way of meeting people from the village and visitors from afar. You don’t need detailed knowledge of our collection; you’ll get plenty of support. Time commitment is not extensive, just an afternoon session a couple of times a month, until the end of September.

For a look round the Museum and a chat about what’s involved in volunteering please contact:

Candy Madeley e mail candymadeley@hotmail.com or tel 01865 341490

Edith Stedman

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Museum’s first opening by Edith, we have a new display board celebrating the major contribution she made to Dorchester Abbey and the village, for which she was awarded an OBE. We are also reissuing Edith’s charming and amusing account of Dorchester life in the 1950s and 1960s, A Yankee in an English Village, with added photos and explanatory notes. Further details to follow – publication planned for later in the summer.

VOLUNTEER CURATOR (PART-TIME) FOR DORCHESTER ABBEY MUSEUM

This is an exciting opportunity to take Dorchester Abbey Museum into the next phase of its development, and make a valuable contribution to the local community. The post would suit an enthusiastic, creative person with a keen interest in Dorchester, its people and history – perhaps someone working part-time, seeking to develop a career in museums, or recently retired.

Dorchester Abbey Museum is a small, accredited and highly-regarded museum located in the Abbey Guest House adjacent to Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire. It is normally open to the public from Easter to end of September, but its work goes on throughout the year. During 2020 as a result of the pandemic, the Museum was closed for most of the time, like other public venues. We opened for some weekends when possible, subject to government guidelines and social distancing procedures. In 2021 we plan to open to the public from late May to end of September.

The Museum is managed by a small committee which includes the Curator, and run day-to-day by a team of 30 committed volunteers. The Curator is responsible to Dorchester Abbey’s Parochial Church Council and works closely with the Museum Committee. After a successful two-year period in post our Curator has recently left for a salaried museum post, so we need a replacement.

Time commitment: 1-2 days a week (7-15 hours approx.). The appointment is not for a fixed term, but will be reviewed after 3 and 6 months, thereafter annually. We seek someone who is able to take up the post as soon as possible.

For further details please contact

• The Administrator admin@dorchester-abbey.org.uk or tel. 01865 340007
• Closing date for applications: Monday 21 June 2021

If you have developed an urge to start (or restart) singing again over the past year, why not come and try us out?

Adults rehearse on Fridays from 7pm to 8-15 followed by an optional visit to the George and lead the music in services most Sundays.

Juniors rehearse on Fridays during term time from 6pm until 6-30 and sing once a month on Sundays and other occasional services.

Singing has a great ‘feel good’ factor and is lots of fun! If you would like to know more please get in touch.

• Jeremy Boughton Organist and Choir Director
• jjbwallingford@tiscali.co.uk

Agenda for the 2021 Annual Parish Council Meeting now available to read online.

Please note that the next Monthly meeting will be held on 5th May immediately following the conclusion of the Annual Parish Metting.

Annual Parish Meeting

We are starting up the Wellbeing walks again in Dorchester. We are hoping to get our lovely walkers back walking again and hopefully some new walkers who would like a gentle sociable stroll around the village.

Has lockdown affected your well being and are you looking to be active and socialise with people?

Want to get more active?

Join us for a short walk of 30 minutes, at a gentle pace at locations across South Oxfordshire.

Walking is a great way to get fit, explore what’s on your doorstep and make new friends.

• Dorchester
• Thursday – 10am
• Meet: Outside Co-op

Our walks are free, but please contact us prior to attending.

All our walks follow Covid-19 safety guidelines.

For more information please email: active.communities@southandvale.gov.uk