Buckfastleigh Town

Fore Street in winter

Fore Street in winter

The historic mill town of Buckfastleigh and the neighbouring abbey village of Buckfast, can be found nestling on the southern edge of eastern Dartmoor in Devon just off the A38, midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth.

The name "Buckfast" means "stronghold" – traditionally a place where deer and buck were held, and "Leigh" would have been the pasture belonging to Buckfast – hence the meaning deer held in a pasture (buck-fast-leigh). Buckfast probably existed before Buckfastleigh as it is mentioned in the Domesday Book and in 1018 a Benedictine Abbey was founded and endorsed by King Canute at Buckfast.

Read more about the town here...

The Future of our Shops – Town Council Forum

Retail is in crisis country-wide and our local businesses are struggling to survive.  Plans by the Abbey may impact existing local businesses. 

Come and find out more and/or tell your business's story.   What can the community & Town Council do to help? 

Barn Park – Proposal to build 28 dwellings

Here is the latest development application for housing at Barn Park.  The proposal is to build 10 affordable and 18 open market dwellings, a road, 50 parking spaces and garden areas on land to the west of Barn Park.   - you can view more details and make your comments here before December 7th.  If you are unable to view the plans online, you can view them in the Town Hall during office hours (9 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday)

Dartmoor National Park – public opinion survey

The Dartmoor National Park Management Plan is currently under review.  Find out how you can comment on it here

Sign up to Devon Alert!

Find out about Devon and Cornwall Alert, a free community messaging system run by Devon and Cornwall Police to inform members of the public about crimes and incidents affecting their local area, here 

Community Christmas Lunch

Buckfastleigh Town Council is once again organising a Community Christmas Lunch for those on their own or in need this year.  Last year over 50 people enjoyed a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, entertained with musicians and many were transported by volunteer drivers to and from the Abbey where it was held.

This year the Lunch will take place in the Town Hall.  We have a team of volunteers ready to help with decorating, transport, cooking, serving food and clearing up.  We could still do with a few entertainers - musicians in particular.  And now is the time to invite guests.  If you are going to be on your own, or if you and your family will struggle to enjoy a festive meal in your own home on Christmas Day, please come along and join us for this lovely community celebration.  
 
Please let Inga at the Town Hall know if you -- or someone you know -- would like to come.  You can email  office@nullbuckfastleigh.gov.uk  or phone 642576.
 
Many Thanks, 
Andy Stokes, Chair, Buckfastleigh Council

Dementia Carers and Friends – Training and Support

There is a support group for dementia carers on the first Thursday of every month in Newton Abbot.  More info here.

You can also train to become a Dementia Friends Champion.  More info here

Old Phone Boxes – Creative Ideas Please!

What to do with an unused phone box?  Buckfastleigh and Buckfast now have at their disposal four decommissioned phone boxes (two red, two glass) which are located at Glebelands, West End Road, in the car park next to Buckfast Village Hall and at Grange Green, Buckfast.  The Town Council is looking for great ideas for community uses for these structures.   The phone box on Grange Green will be home to a defibrillator for Buckfast.  Three more still looking for good uses!  Read more here 

                                                

 

Proposed development off Oaklands Road

A proposal has been received by Coworth Homes to build 65 houses at an unidentified site off Oaklands Road.  The developer attended the Environment and Transport Committee on Wednesday, November 7th.  The limited information currently available is here.