LATEST NEWS - 16 May 2026

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Monday 6 July 2026 at 7:00PM in the Village Hall.  All are most welcome to attend.

Public Switched Telephone Network

Is your home phone ready for the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off?

The UK's copper phone network is being switched off by January 2027.

If you or someone you know relies on a home phone, particularly for a telecare alarm, medical device, or burglar alarm, it is important not to wait to be contacted by your provider but to act now.

Phonely has produced a free plain-English checklist (see file below titled “Phonely - PSTN Switch Off Parish Council Checklist”) covering everything residents need to be aware of; the information can be download from their website (www.phonely.co.uk/uk-digital-landline-switchover) or call the UK team free on 0800 112 5000.

Phonely helped during the COVID period, when they worked with parish councils across the UK to set up free community support lines connecting residents with local volunteers.
 

Dorset Community Transport – PlusBus

The Parish Councils of Ansty, Hilton, Melcombe Bingham, Melcombe Horsey, MIlton Abbas and Cheselbourne have jointly funded a PlusBus service which will collect passengers from their homes and take them into Dorchester or Blandford.  The service is provided by Dorset Community Transport and runs on Wednesdays to Dorchester and, on alternate weeks, on Thursdays to Blandford.  Please see attached flyers for more details on the service, including how to register and the fare price, currently £7, National Bus Passes are also accepted.

Alternatively, this link will take you to the Plus Bus Page:  ECT Charity - PlusBus services to and from Dorchester and ECT Charity - PlusBus services to and from Blandford.

Planning Applications

None received at this time.

CHESELBOURNE (or Chesilborne) is a parish and small village of about 140 houses and a population of 296 (2011 census), situated 8 miles north-east of Dorchester station and 11 miles south-west of Blandford  in the chalk downlands of West Dorset. The Parish Church of St. Martin (diocese of Salisbury) is a flint and stone church in the Gothic style with parts dating back to the 13th century, which sits centrally in the village. There is also a village school catering for primary school children from Cheselbourne and the surrounding area. Cheselbourne has a village hall which is used by the school during the day, for various events during evenings and weekends and is available for hire. There is also a public house the Rivers Arms at the Southern entrance to the village.

The Parish Council meets in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month, every 2 months and everyone is welcome to attend. Agendas are posted on this website and the council noticeboards at the Rivers Arms and the School at least 3 working days prior to the meeting.