Welcome to the Chideock and Seatown Community Website. This website belongs to ‘the community’ and is all about Chideock, North Chideock and Seatown. We hope these pages will be of interest to both local residents and visitors to our village.
Chideock is an amazingly busy village with lots of groups that anyone can join and lots of entertainment and events that are happening so please take your time to look through our website – not forgetting our stunning Photo Galleries.
If you are a visitor to this beautiful part of West Dorset please check out our Accommodation Guide.
- CHIDEOCK COMMUNITY CAFE FRIDAY 18TH JULY
Chideock Community Café Held in Chideock Village Hall
FRIDAY 18th JULY 2025 From 2.30pm until 4.30pm
Come along with friends or to meet some new ones.
Everyone is welcome
Tea/Coffee & Cakes/biscuits available
We look forward to seeing you!
This is not a fund raising event
Continue reading → - BAKE SALE – SAT 26th JULY 8 am – 10 am
- CHIDEOCK NEWS – JULY 2025
- MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD 27TH MAY 2025 IN THE VILLAGE HALL
Minutes of the Chideock Annual Village Meeting held in the
Village Hall on Tuesday 27 May 2025
Cllr Richard Benjamin took the Chair
The meeting was attended by 27 residents and 2 Parish Councillors
The Meeting opened at 7:10pm
NB. As the Clerk was not in attendance these Minutes were taken by a
resident – Mr George Dunn.
Introduction
Cllr Benjamin welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending
NB. The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in 2024 were not
approved and signed off.
Cllr Benjamin gave a summary for the past 12 months (appended)
Tan Cox, Clerk to Chideock Parish Council, was not in attendance and therefore
there was no Clerk’s Report given.
Also the accounts for 2024 – 2025 were not presented.
PCSO Bishop was not in attendance but a brief statement was given on his
behalf by Cllr Biggins
Updates from Village Groups
The following Update were given – All appended
Village Hall – Paul Ramsden
Community Cafe – Paul Ramsden
Art Group – Brigette. NO Report Appended as presentation was given “ad lib”
Winniford River Action Group – Peter Stapleton
WI – Mary Rogers
Air Quality Action Group – Vanessa McAra
Friends of St Giles – Vanessa McAra
St Giles Church – Vanessa McAra
Chideock Society – Lyn Crisp
Chideock and Seatown Community Website – Lyn Crisp
Playing Field Committee – Lyn Crisp
Roman Catholic Church – Anna Dunn
Friends of Clapps Mead – Anna Dunn
100+ Club – Anna Dunn
Chideock Bypass Working Group – George Dunn
Clapps Mead Volunteers Working Group – George Dunn
Open Forum
In response to Cllr Benjamin attempting to close the Meeting Mrs Lyn Crisp
clarified that a major purpose of the Annual Meeting was to give the Village the
opportunity of raising any issues or concerns or maybe even suggestions that
individuals may have.
Lyn added that the PC only released limited information on their website about
many matters but many residents were either unaware of this or she thought
that they did not seem to care. Lyn explained that there were big issues
between the PC and some sections of the Village.
Cllr Benjamin asked if anyone wished to speak.
George Dunn spoke saying that in addition to his earlier comments about the
Volunteer Policy he wished to draw attention to the Parish Council’s Policy for
Memorial Benches and Trees in Clapps Mead introduced last autumn. George
expressed his opinion that the extent of control that the PC was applying to the
nature of these “memorials to the memories of loved ones” and the cost
required by the Council he actually found to be offensive. For example did
everyone know that such items now have to be purchased through the Parish
Council at a stated cost and they must be removed after 10 years? George said
that he had requested at an earlier Monthly Meeting that the PC review and
amend their Memorials Policy which clearly they never did.
Mrs Lyn Crisp stated that she has “concerns” but it was her view that those
attending were not interested and did not appear to care. She asked for a show
of hands from people that were interested. About half raised their hands and
others left.
George Dunn also referred to the continuing lack of openness and transparency
demonstrated by the current Parish Council. This included their new practice
introduced last year, of holding what is described as a General Purposes and
Finance Committee behind closed doors with no public allowed. This meeting
appears to make decisions and agree everything prior to the monthly Parish
Council Meetings, which are held in public and then these decisions are simply
“nodded through”, with little or no public discussion. The fact that they are
agreeing everything prior to the Public PC Meetings is clearly demonstrated by
the fact of how short the Public Meetings now are – typically less than 20
minutes if the Democratic Period is discounted. George Dunn has repeatedly
asked the Parish Council to reconsider this practice by stopping these secret
meetings.
George closed by saying that he felt that the extent of bad feeling and the
unnecessary costs that have been introduced by this Parish Council should
make the Council consider resigning.
Mr Duncan Salter spoke for a calm approach from all parties and whilst there
were valid points from both sides that common sense must be uppermost and
suggested that the Parish Council and those with concerns should “sit around a
table” to discuss why relations have deteriorated to such an extent and seek a
solution.
Mrs Vanessa McAra spoke saying that whilst she “heard” Duncan’s viewpoint it
had to be understood that since last summer, the Friends of Clapps Mead
(FOCM) have repeatedly sought to help the Parish Council to understand the
actions that were taken by the previous Parish Council regarding the present
Council’s lack of understanding and confusion over the Event Insurances and
Insurance for the In-Ground Jumper. However, it has been like talking to
a ,”brick wall”, the present Parish Council have effectively maintained their
ingrained position stubbornly sticking to their own interpretation of the
evidence and giving the FOCM arguments no recognition. This has then led to
the FOCM group seeking to go beyond the intransience of the Parish Council,
by seeking to collate all of the factual evidence relating both to the events
insurance; the In-ground jumper and the insurance required from suppliers,
insurance companies. Also from ROSPA; The Register of Play Inspectors
International – RPII; and The Association of Play Industries – API
Vanessa did exactly as Duncan Salter suggested, by contacting the DAPTC
chief executive and requested a joint meeting so that a line could be drawn
under the current disputes with evidence being provided, facilitated by the
DAPTC as a mediator. This meeting has taken place, which in turn led to the
factual information presented earlier by Mrs Anna Dunn being shared . Vanessa
said that the outcome from this meeting is still to be resolved. Vanessa added
that in her opinion, the present Parish Council have been let down by their
Clerk, who could have supported them differently.
Mr Duncan Salter then intervened saying that the residents basically want what
is good for the Village and asked Cllrs Benjamin and Biggins to “take on board”
what has been said at the meeting; and to take this all back to the Council for a
serious debate on how to proceed.
Mr Ian Peters asked for a full disclosure of ALL the evidence from both sides so
that residents can see the true picture.
Cllr Biggins confirmed that for his part he does want the In-ground jumper fully
operational for the enjoyment of his children and other children in the village.
Cllr Benjamin interrupted at approximately 8:15pm by leaving the Meeting,
although The Meeting then continued until approximately 9:00pm without a
Chair. Reports as below:2025 Clapps Mead Volunteers Report
REPORT FOR PARISH MEETING 27TH MAY 2025
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 27TH MAY 2025
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 27TH MAY 2025
Continue reading → - R.I.P. TONY PEACOCKWe have learnt that sadly Mr Tony Peacock died last week whilst on holiday with his wife Sandra. We are not aware of the full details but it appears that Tony died whilst swimming in the hotel pool.Tony was a well know Village resident living in Arundell until a couple of years ago when he and Sandra moved to Poundbury to be closer to their daughter (and for some “Grandparenting duties”). Whilst living in the Village Tony had been an active member of our Community having been a Parish Councillor for a few years before leaving the Village. He had also given much time and effort to the Air Pollution problems in Chideock arising from the A35 traffic. He had studied the problems of the Village Air Pollution and had become an amateur “expert” in the causes and effects of this problem. He had been the Village spokesman in dealings with Dorset Council Environmental Team and had been instrumental in developing the early relationship with Bristol University that has now developed into their full scale monitoring of the local air quality.Tony had also been a member of the Chideock Bypass Working Group when it was most active between 2014 until the early 2020s when our then MP Chris Loder attended a Village Meeting and declared that he would not give his personal support to a local Chideock Bypass. Tony had given much time into the development of a suitable Bypass particularly using his professional expertise to give solid cost analysis of the schemes being considered. George DunnContinue reading →
- R.I.P. Rosemary Denise Daniel
Rosemary Denise Daniel (nee Wilkinson) beloved wife of the late Colonel John R A Daniel, both of Chideock, Dorset died aged 84 on Wednesday 28 May 2025. She leaves four sons including Tom who returned to the village in 2008.
This is not an obituary (which will be written in due course) but a bit of context for her friends in the village that she loved and those who knew her or wanted to attend her funeral.
Rosemary returned to live in Chideock in 1982 to live near her parents – The Honourable Justice Major James and Denise Wilkinson-Guillemard of Chideock Court, in preparation for her husband, Colonel John Daniel’s retirement from the Army. However Rosemary’s connection with Chideock and Dorset began when, in 1907, her grandmother Daisy Best of Wynford Eagle married an Irishman – Rivallon de la Poer. At the same time one of his sisters Eleanor married Humphrey Weld (the father of the Colonel Humphrey Weld who some senior members of the village may remember) and came to live at Chideock Manor. She was later joined by her sister Yseult Duthie (married to Colonel Arthur Duthie) who, as a couple, built and lived at Chideock Court from 1922 to 1981.
Rosemary’s father James grew up in Eype and met Daisy’s daughter Denise de la Poer through his Stonyhurst schoolfriend (later Colonel) Humphrey Weld whilst on a trip to the de la Poers in Ireland. James was on leave as he was making his way practising law in Nairobi. On the outbreak of war they married in Chideock Catholic Church and headed out to Kenya. Rosemary was born in 1940 – the eldest of what would eventually become a family of six. With James fighting with the KAR in Abyssinia – there was a risk to Kenya and it was decided to evacuate the young family back to England. Aunt Ells kindly took in all her family and the Wilkinson’s were allocated the dinning room at the manor to live in for the duration.
Rosemary went to the Chideock Catholic School and at one point in her life lived for a while in Seatown. In 1945 – with James having fought in Burma, survived and won an MC – the family returned to Kenya. Rosemary continued her education there (she played school tennis for Kenya) and then back in England.
Rosemary trained as a nursery nurse at St. Thomas’s hospital in London. Faith was always important to Rosemary and she professed a desire to become a nun. Whilst many of her family were religious this was considered a step too far and she was sent to visit relatives and then work in Malta and hopefully meet someone to change her mind. She met her future husband John Daniel, an army officer, who was serving there with the Royal Fusiliers. They were engaged within 5 days and only after they were engaged would she agree to put her arms around him on his motorbike. They went on to have four sons as they were posted all round the UK and the world including living in Germany, Yeman, Hong Kong (where she dragon boat raced), Kenya, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
In preparation for retirement in 1982 they bought the White House in Mill Lane as by that time Rosemary’s parents were living in Chideock Court. Rosemary and Colonel John (who died in 2004) were active in Chideock life (at one point the village fete was held in their garden) and especially the Catholic Church. Rosemary played the organ there for about 20 years and she and John helped the Welds and priests prepare and run the services. Faith was central to Rosemary’s life and she was a governor at Catholic schools in Bridport and Axminster. Next came family -she leaves 4 sons, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren so far.
After John died – Rosemary moved to Dawn Cottage where she lived for many years and continued to thrive on all things Chideock, her faith, family and friends. She moved only last year to the Old Vicarage in Leigh near Sherborne where she described herself as “on mission” welcoming new residents and organising events. She sadly passed away on Wednesday 28th May after a short illness. May she rest in peace.
Rosemary’s funeral will be at 1400 on Friday 20th June at the Catholic Church in Chideock. It will be followed immediately afterward by a private burial with just the family. If you would like to attend please email her sons at hi@cd42.net
Continue reading → - CHIDEOCK NEWS – JUNE 2025
- Local History Evening – Rise and Fall of a Chideock Cottage – Sat, 12th July
- PATHWAY TO QUARR HILL FROM CHIDEOCK NOW COMPLETE!At long last, after many years of campaigning, the pathway from Chideock to Quarr Hill has been completed and is now open and can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Until now it has been impossible to get from Chideock to Bridport unless in a motorised vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists took their lives in their hands if they tried to navigate the A35 east out of Chideock. It’s narrowness, the lack of a pavement and the high volume of traffic, especially HGVs, made it just too dangerous. Now a 3 metre wide, crushed stone track, running alongside the A35, makes this journey safe and pleasurable .The long-fought campaign, which began in the early 2000s, very nearly happened. But then the need for an improved road to Weymouth before the 2012 Olympic Games, pushed the project to the back burner. The plan was then revived some 6 years ago by Winston ‘Meash’ Maskell, who led the campaign with patience, perseverance and good humour. Sadly Meash died last summer and will never see the fruits of his labour. The villagers of Chideock plan to place a memorial to him beside the track so his hard work will never be forgotten.Apart from Meash, we would like to thank Mr and Mrs Howard Coates for making the land available, Dorset Council, and the Dorset National Landscape fund for financing the work.And now we need to take the pathway further east so that we reach Bridport. There are problems about obtaining the next section of the path which is owned by another farmer.Continue reading →
- CHIDEOCK NEWS – MAY 2025
