Clubs & Societies
Action for Nature group – Gillingham
Aims to protect and improve the local natural environment. New members welcome.
For details of meetings, contact Chairman: Bob Messer 01747 821269 or Fiona Potter 01747 822735
Adult Learning Centre – Gillingham
Whatever your interests why not see if Adult Learning has something to suit you?
We offer a wide range of courses to support businesses as well as individuals at local venues;
and in some cases can deliver training to your staff at their place of work.
We are also interested in finding out what you would like to learn. Call us on 0800 262648
Agricultural Society – Gillingham & Shaftesbury
We are the organisers of the agricultural show held on the 3rd Wednesday in August.
For full details of the show and other events including – hiring the Showground,
The Town & Country Fayre in June and Heavy Horse Show in September
contact Sam Braddick 01747 823955 (website)
Angling Association – Gillingham and District
Come & enjoy a peaceful and friendly leisure hobby.
Secretary – Simon Hebditch 01747 821218; Chairman – John Stone 01747 822386
We have access to 9 lakes and 7 miles of river ban and summer and winter matches.
Junior instruction is being arranged. For Membership and day tickets contact:
P & G. Crocker, High St. 01747 822900 or John Candy 01258 920384.
Arts Workshop – Gillingham
We are a relaxed and friendly group of local people putting on a varied programme of performances
in and around Gillingham. Would you like to act, sing, do readings or play an instrument?
Why not get in touch? New members are always very welcome.
For more information ring Mark Hebditch 01747 822746
Band – Gillingham Imperial Silver
The Band Room, South Street,Gillingham. Musical Director Alan McRae.
Regular practices held on Tuesday & Friday evenings. New members welcome.
All enquiries to Band Manager Nigel Perrin 01747 823534
Band – Supporters Club of the Gillingham Imperial Silver Band
We have a very efficient Club under N. Baker (Chairman), Mrs. M. Nicholson (Treasurer)
and P. Kenyon (Secretary)
New Members welcome. Tel: 01747 823364.
Bowling Club – Gillingham
School Approach, School Lane.
Secretary – Ron Wing, Henriette Villa, Common Mead Avenue, Gillingham 01747 822651.
New members welcome. (website)
CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)
Heart of Wessex Branch meets socially each month at pubs in Gillingham area and at local beer festivals.
New members are always welcome. Contact: Paul Smith 01747 823574 or
Norman Varnes 01963 34359
Cancer Research UK – Gillingham Committee.
Chairman/Treasurer -
Mrs Joan Carter, Chantry Fields, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RB 01747 822964
Secretary -
Mrs Shirley Howard 6 Greenside 35 Golf Links Road BH22 8EZ, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 8EZ 01202 861080.
Carnival – Gillingham
(website)
Gillingham Carnival Committee organises the Carnival which takes place every year in early October.
Children’s Procession – 3.00pm. Grand Illuminated Procession – 7.15pm
New members always welcome or helpers for the day. Contact Mary Bailey 01747 823365
Cat’s Protection
Mere & Gillingham Branch (Registered Charity)
The local voluntary branch of the National charity sheltering stray and abandoned cats and
kittens in need of good homes. You can visit us at our shop in High Street Gillingham
Tel: 8406212
Chess Club – Gillingham & Shaftesbury
Meets every week throughout the year. New members always welcome.
For further details contact R. Adams 01747 823387 or D. Brown 01747 851658.
Conservative Association – North Dorset (Gillingham Branch)
Your local conservative Action Team, listening and taking action on the things that matter
to us here in Gillingham. Working all year round to make our Town a better place.
Join us now by calling Robert Gregory.
Chairman: Cllr Su Hunt, Cllr Nick Mason, Cllr Val Pothecary, Cllr Mark White. 01747 826640
Country Dance Club – Gillingham
Meet at the Methodist Hall, High Street, Gillingham. Mondays 7.15pm. September onwards.
Beginners welcome. For information Tel: 01747 822329 or 01747 824590
Country Market – Gillingham & District
Open Friday 8.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.at the Methodist Hall, High Street.
Home Cooking. Eggs, poultry, plants, cut flowers, vegetables, crafts, preserves and honey.
Also Organic eggs and local meat. Coffee served.
New customers and producers welcome. For more details Tel: 01747 852983
(Website)
Day Club
Gillingham Senior Citizens lunch and social club.
Meets Wednesdays at Gillingham Youth & Community Centre 10.30 – 3.15pm.
For details Tel: 01747 826878 or 01747 821864
Disability Information Service – (North Dorset – NorDDIS)
3 Newbury Court, Gillingham. Tel: 01747 821010 or Email: nordiss
Staffed by volunteers. We can help Carers, the Elderly and people with disabilities towards
obtaining Welfare benefits and equipment in order to improve their quality of life.
Call in at our shop opposite Lidl. Opening Hours Monday to Friday 10 – 4pm; Saturday 9.30 – 1pm
Embroiderers’ Guild (North Dorset Branch)
Meetings held at the Memorial Hall, Buckhorn Weston, 4th Saturday of the month 10am – 4pm
(except August and December). Beginners and experienced stitchers welcome.
Secretary -
Hazel Holker, 1 Carent Close, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1LJ 01258 820677
Flower Club
Meetings held in the Town Hall, School Road, on 1st Tuesday of each month
(except January & August) at 7.30p.m. Visitors welcome at £3.50.
Come and join us for a friendly evening and demonstration of floral art.
For further information contact Sue Moore on 01747 822244.
Football, Gillingham Town – and Supporters Club
Hardings Lane Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4HX. Tel: 01747 823673
GMC Music Concerts
The special concerts at Gillingham Methodist Church started in 2004 as part of our appeal to raise money
for the restoration of our Sweetland organ. The restoration is complete, but the concerts continue!
Our aim is to bring top-quality music to Gillingham by inviting local musicians and wider-known
celebrity musicians to come and perform at GMC. With this in mind, we extend a warm welcome to all.
We hope that you will enjoy our latest concert offerings and that we will see you at some of our events.
For further details call Gordon Amery on 07817 379006 or visit our Music at GMC website
Click Music_at_GMC for leaflet.
Gillingham Gardening Society
We meet 2nd Wednesday each month at 2.30pm in the Royal British Legion Club, School lane.
Very friendly group. New members welcome. Contact Eileen Westbrook 01747 826207.
Gillingham Knit and Natter
Meets at Wyke Primary School, Deane Avenue, on Thursdays from 7- 9pm.
All welcome, any age, from beginners to experts.
For further information telephone 01747 823733 or email Knit and natter
Gillingham Senior Club
Meets at Gillingham Church hall once a fortnight.
We arrange two holidays each year and monthly day trips.
Contact: Edith Brown, 4 Downs View Drive, Gillingham, SP8 4RL. 01747 823106.
Gillingham Walkers
Informal walks, open to all.
Every Monday, Barn Surgery car park,
2.30 – 3.30 p.m.
First Saturday in every month,
varying start points,
2.00 – 4.00 p.m. (approx. 4 miles).
Tel: 821269 Sheila Messer
Tel: 823774 Penny Peat
Gillingham Walkers
Gillingham Youth Centre
A centre for activities for all ages.
Cemetery Road, Gillingham. Tel: 01747 822267
email: Bones
Click brochure for leaflet.
Girlguiding UK – Gillingham District
Headquarters – The Guide Hall (rear of Youth Centre Cemetery Road).
Meetings:
Rainbows – Tuesday. Brownies – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Guides and senior Section – Friday.
Details: Mrs. V. Case 01747 823037
Inner Wheel Club – Gillingham
Meets 2nd Thursday each month.
Secretary – Ms Wendy Tindall-Shepherd, 22 King Edmund Court, Gillingham, 01747 822981.
Laburnum Live Music Club
Meets 3rd Monday of each month at 2 pm. Royal British Legion Club, School Road, Gillingham.
All seniors welcome. For details call June on 01747 823684 or Ted on 01747 821102
Subs = £3.50 a session includes tea and biscuits.
Ladies Probus Club
Meet at British Legion Hall Gillingham on 2nd Thursday each month at 10am for 10.30am.
Chairman – Nita Priest 01747 826691. Secretary – Beryl Carlyle 01747 822521.
Treasurer – Caroline Winter 01747 825961.
Lions Club of Gillingham, Mere & Shaftesbury
Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday of month, 8pm at the Town Hall Gillingham.
A member of the world’s largest Service organisation Lions Clubs International,
helping those locally, nationally and internationally, less fortunate than ourselves.
Secretary Janet Davies, 20 Thurstin Way, Gillingham, SP8 4FN email: Lions
Liberal Democrats – Gillingham
‘The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which no one
shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.’ – The Lib Dem Constitution.
Gillingham Liberal Democrats work to make our town a better place.
We don’t disappear between elections.
Join us! Contact Cllr David Milsted 01747 826184 or email David
Local History Society – Gillingham
The supporting organisation for the Gillingham Museum and holds evening meetings from
September to May on subjects of local historical interest. Subs- £12.50 per person.
Chairman – Sam Woodcock, Hillside, Milton on Stour, Gillingham 01747 822600
Multiple Sclerosis Society – Gillingham & Shaftesbury Branch
Secretary – Mrs. Sue Chilcott, 30, St. John’s Close, Tisbury, Wilts., SP3 6PN
Tel: 01747 – 873062 email
Treasurer – Mrs. Ingrid Hardy Palemead House Motcombe SP7 9PR 01747 826424.
email
Branch provides help & support for people affected by MS, also provides opportunities for
social contact and interaction.
A regular newsletter, available from the Secretary, gives details of events and contact addresses
Photo. Group – Gillingham
Camera-derie & photography from black and white to digital.
Meets alternate Fridays at Wyke School, from September to May;
plus trips, digital training and competitions.
First Meeting Free, discounted subscription for new members.
Contact Murray Pearson 01747 825392 or Peter May 01747 825838 for details.
PRE-SCHOOL/NURSERY
Website
Small welcoming pre-School. Beautiful rural setting – yet only minutes from Gillingham.
Large outdoor play area, child focused purpose built facilities for children from 2 years.
Funded places available for all 3 and 4 year olds. Full day care available.
Fees £3.50 per hour. Healthy snacks provided.
Adjacent to Stower Provost Primary School. Please contact Claire or Karen on 01747 839942.
Topsie Rabbit Kindergarten
Contact Mrs. Jane McQueen The Square, Gillingham SP8 4AY 01747 82156
or email Topsie
All day 9.00 -3.45; Part Day 9.00 – 3.00; Morning Session 9.00 – 12 noon;
Afternoon Session 12.45 – 3.45
Our fees are 4.10 per hour. Registration fee £30 refundable on leaving Topsie, to enter school.
Catering for children aged 2 years up to six years. Toddler Group Mondays 1.30 – 3pm £2
Probus Club – Gillingham
Meets on alternate Tuesdays
Chairman – Alan Poulter 01747 825614
Secretary – Phil Butler 01747 826796
Rotary Club – Gillingham
Working with the Community. Meets 7.15 for 7.30p.m. every Wednesday at the Olive Bowl Gillingham.
Secretary – Phil. Wheatley, 16 Freame Way, Gillingham 01747 824663.
website
Royal British Legion
HQ School Lane Tel: 01747 822439. Club Chairman – M. Case 01747 821822.
All welcome. Bar facilities & Social Activities including, Snooker, Skittles, Darts, Cribbage,
Musical evenings, Quiz Nights, Beer Festival, and B.B.Qs. A pleasant and lively club.
Royal British Legion Women’s Section – Gillingham Branch
Meetings at R.B.L. Branch HQ, School Lane, 1st Thursday each month at 2.30pm.
New members welcome. Membership is open to all. A service background is not required.
Secretary – Mrs. F. Mason 01747 822408
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – Blackmoor Vale Local Group.
Membership Secretary – June Roy 24, Rock Lane, Warminster, Wilts BA12 9JZ 01985 213964
Meet 3rd Friday of the month (except August, December & January) at Gillingham
Primary School 7.30pm. Monthly field trips arranged.
(website)
Rugby Football Club – North Dorset
Club House and playing facilities at Slaughtergate. Clubhouse 01747 822748.
New members welcome. 19 teams from minis to seniors.
Chair – Nigel Mattravers 07866 315790.
Director of Administration – Gerald Burden 07970 921138.
Chair of Youth (13-16) – Fran Hill 01747 835639
Chair of Minis, (7-12) Greg Pearce, 01747 822830.
email: Rugby (website)
St.Mary’s Mothers’ Union Prayer and Friendship Group
Meet 1st Tuesday of the month in the Vicarage Schoolroom at 2.30 p.m.
New members welcome. For information contact:
Mrs. E. Frayne Newlands Cottage, Crown Lane, Gillingham, SP8 4HD 01747 824065
or Mrs. C. Goddard 01747 822879
SCOUTS
Scout Group – Bourton
HQ. The Recreation Field, Silton.
Beaver Scouts: 6-8 years Fri. 6.00 – 7.00
Cub Scouts: 8-10 years Fri. 7.15 -8.45pm
CubScout Leader – Mrs Lesley Bennett 07967 100106. Beaver Leader – Anne Martin
St. Mary Scout Group – Gillingham
Headquarters-Hardings Lane, Gillingham.
Beaver Scouts 6-8 years, Thurs. 6.15 – 7.15pm. or Fri 6pm – 7pm.
Cub Scouts 8-10 years, Monday or Tuesday 7pm.- 8.30pm.
Scouts Friday 7.15 pm 9.30 pm.
Group Scout Leader – C. Westbrook 01747 825482
Tea Dance
Meets 1st Tuesday of each month at 2 pm, the Royal British Legion, School Road, Gillingham
All Seniors welcome. Subs £3.00 a session includes tea and biscuits.
For details call June on 01747 823684 or just turn up on the day.
The Silton Singers
Area friendly, 40 strong fixed voice choir, with an ever broadening repertoire, a non-auditioning choir.
New members always welcome. Rehearsals at Gillingham Methodist Church from Sept – May
on Mondays 7.30 – 9.30pm. For further information Contact:
Chairman Janet Howard 01747 830656 or Secretary Carole Brooks 01747 825826
Short Mat Bowling Club (Gillingham)
Gillingham Short Mat Bowls Club, School Approach, School Lane.
Club Captain – Peter Palmer, 1 Arun Close, Gillingham 01747 834427
Shaftesbury & Gillingham Round Table 865
Secretary – Peter Mellum 01747 825301 or 07870 239848
Meetings 2nd & 4th Tuesday at Kings Arms, East Stour Common.
Don’t wait to be asked – Shaftesbury & Gillingham Round Table are here for you. Try it out for yourself.
The Devonshire & Dorset Regiment Association
Membership open to all who have served in our County Regiments which now includes The Rifles.
Varied programme of events arranged throughout the year.
Meetings held 4th Wednesday of each month RBL Club, Gillingham. 7.30 pm.
Those who have served in other regiments are welcome to join us.
Chairman – Michael Pike 01747 838214.
Secretary – Tony Coombes, 23 Barnaby Mead, Gillingham, SP8 4AL 01747 823258
