Clubs & Societies
Cerne Abbas is home for the many clubs and societies that flourish in the Cerne Valley. Their meetings usually take place in the Cerne Abbas Village Hall which was completed in 2006 and is probably the largest and best equipped in West Dorset. Scroll down to read about them all.
ACTIVE
Friends of St. Mary’s Church
The Friends of St Mary’s Church in Cerne Abbas was formed in 2013 recognising the role of that important and most distinguished building – both spiritual and secular- to the life of the whole community in our Village: membership is thus open to all.
The purpose of the Friends is to assist the preservation of the fabric and functioning of the Church structure and its immediate surroundings. This role recognises the expense of sustaining the wide range of uses provided by this vital community asset in an ancient, much loved and architecturally special building .Projects the Friends have helped with range from thenTower Clock Refurbishment in 2017 to the Electrical and Rewiring project in 2023.
Anyone over 18 years old can join for a membership fee of just £15 p.a, on which Gift Aid may be claimed.
Each year there is an AGM and reception at which the Trustees report the activities of the past 12 months, present their Annual Report and Accounts and a distinguished speaker addresses the gathering.
Contact : The Membership Secretary, c/o 29 Long Street, Cerne Abbas, DT2 7JG. or johnchampion1105@gmail.com
Cerne Historical Society
The Society was formed in 1988 following the Abbey Millennium celebrations in 1987. It now has over 170 members and produces a lively programme of talks and visits on a wide range of local history topics. In 2019, through an exhibition and other events, the Society celebrated the centenary of the sale of the village by the Pitt-Rivers family who owned most of the properties and land.
We also research aspects of village history as there is much we do not know about its rich and varied heritage. Members who wish to become involved are most welcome. Currently, we are focusing on the former Cerne Abbey as we do not know the exact location and layout of the main Abbey buildings.
Follow the link below for more information about all our activities and to access back copies of our popular quarterly magazine. There is also a ‘contact us’ link if you want more information or wish to join the Society.
https://cerneabbashistory.org/
Cerne Abbas Short Mat Bowls
Short mat bowls is a modern version of bowls played indoors and can be played by any age from young to old. The Cerne Abbas Short Mat Bowls Club has more than 30 members, and offers a mixture of social and competitive bowling on the three mats Cerne Abbas Village Hall can accommodate. It’s a welcoming and friendly club.
We meet twice weekly at 10am on Monday mornings and at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings. The cost is only £20 per year for membership fees and then only £3 for session attended.
If interested, please contact the Club Chair, June Balbinski, on 07508 982868 or Mike Pedrick on 01300 341783.
Yoga
Yoga with Melisa takes place during school term time on Friday mornings in the Cerne Abbas Village Hall. The class is for mixed abilities and is suitable for beginners to more advanced and everything in between.
For details visit www.yoga-with-melisa.com or contact Melisa Holloway direct on 07887 578154.
Artsreach
Artsreach is Dorset’s rural touring arts organisation, giving rural communities, including Cerne Abbas, the opportunity to see and participate in high quality arts events in their own villages. Liaising with performers and village promoters we put on live performances covering small and large-scale theatre, live music, dance, comedy, literature, film and puppet shows. Cerne Valley Organiser is Eleanor Gallia on 01300 341750.
Cerne Valley Scout Group
There are three sections of the Cerne Valley Scout Group and all meet on Mondays during school term time at Cerne Abbas Village Hall. Beaver Scouts meet from 5pm to 6.15pm and are aged 6-8 years old. Cub Scouts meet at 6.15 until 7.45pm and are aged 8-11 years old. Scouts also meet at 6.15 until 7.45pm and are aged 11-14 years old. If you would like to know more about joining please email; Ron Wilkes at ron.wilkes51@btinternet.com.
Cerne Ladies Lunch
A meal is organised once a month during the Winter for a group or 10 – 14 women at one of the three village pubs or at the Tea Rooms. If you would like to be included in these friendly and social lunches, please email: cerneladieslunch@gmail.com
The Cerne Valley Youth Club
The Youth Club meets on Fridays in school term times. It caters for all children aged 9 years and upwards. The club leader is Jackie Baxter on 01300 341892
Cerne Abbas Discussion Club
The Cerne Abbas Discussion Club has been operating since 1943. It provides a forum in which the all-male members can meet together, hear interesting talks from a broad range of speakers and enter into discussion of the topics raised. It meets every SECOND Tuesday evening of each month between October and April. Anyone interested in joining should contact an existing member or the Secretary, Martin Reed on 01300 341400.
Cerne Abbas Society for Horticulture (CASH)
The Cerne Abbas Horticultural Society (CASH) is an active gardening society with a membership of about 95 serving anyone interested in sharing their thoughts and experience in matters horticultural. New members are always welcome. Enquiries to Fiona Hyden 01300 341563 or email fmhyden@gmail.com
Cricket
NOW
NOW is an independent Network of Women from around Cerne Valley, encompassing women of all ages and from all backgrounds. We get together once a month to have some fun and network. There is a wide range of activities and speakers. Meetings, mostly held on a Wednesday in Cerne Abbas Village Hall, are organised by members at Forum meetings, which are open to all. Get further information via email nowcerne@gmail.com or look for posters in the village. Meetings are also advertised on Facebook pages for Cerne Valley, and for Cerne Abbas Village Hall.