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The Dummer Life Website Team are committed to ensuring that the website is accessible to people with disabilities. We strive to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors, including those with disabilities. If you encounter any accessibility barriers on our site, please let us know so we can address the issue and ensure that you have access to all of our information and services. ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT This statement was last updated on 27/10/2025 The Dummer Life Website team are dedicated to making this website accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Should you wish to make suggestions for improvement please email: enquiriesdummerlife@gmail.com What web accessibility is? An accessible website ensures that visitors with disabilities can navigate and interact with the site effectively, providing an equal level of access and experience for all users. Accessibility adjustments on this site We have implemented various accessibility adjustments on our website to ensure compliance with web content accessibility guidelines. Our site is designed to work seamlessly with assistive technologies, including screen readers and keyboard navigation. Some of the key adjustments we have made include clear heading structures, alternative text for images, and accessible media content. Declaration of partial compliance with the standard due to third-party content Our commitment to accessibility extends to third-party content that may be hosted on our website. In cases where third-party content poses accessibility challenges, we are dedicated to working towards solutions and ensuring a more inclusive experience. Third-party content is restricted to external links. The content within these external links is the responsibility of such websites and not the Dummer Life website. Requests, issues, and suggestions Your feedback is valuable to us. If you encounter any accessibility issues on our website or have suggestions for improvement, please contact our accessibility coordinator: Please contact us at enquiriesdummerlife@gmail.com

Dummer Life Gallery displays gallery images from events and activities held throughout the year within the village. GALLERY The Gallery provides further images of events, areas of the village and activities that we hope you find interesting. If you would like to add images to the Gallery, please do email them to enquiriesdummerlife@gmail.com . Please note any images of children will require parental permission in writing. We cannot guarantee all images will be used. Activities & Events Out & About All Saints Church Recreation Ground Dummer Down Farm & Brewery Village Pond

History of Dummer & All Saints' Church Domesday Survey 1086 & Name The Domesday Survey of 1086 records the existence of a Church at Dummer, with the oldest, visible part of the present building is the south doorway of the nave, which dates from the 12th Century. During the Middle Ages the advowson - the right of presentation to the church - was held by the Dummer Estate. The Dummer family were the patrons and lords of the manor from the 12th-16th century and appointed priests to the living with the name “Dummer” coming from the Old English words Dun (hill) and Mer (lake or pond). Beyond the village, the parish encompasses Kennel Farm, Dummer Clump, and Dummer Down Farm and Brewery, which has evolved into a multifunctional service and entertainment venue. Dummer Down Farm is home to many local businesses such as Chase Cricket, Serious Cricket with its indoor arena and practice area, Tin Sheds which makes film sets, a gym, Worth Earth market garden and many more small and independent local businesses. Domesday Book Conservation Area Further Reading All Saints' Church Treadmill Conservation Area Appraisal 2004 In 2024 Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council published a 19 page Conservation Area Appraisal of Dummer. The Dummer Conservation Area was designated in 1981 by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in recognition of the special architectural and historic interest of the village. The Appraisal takes the form of written text and an Appraisal plan. The document was intended, by BDBC, to be an overall framework and guide, within which decisions can be made on a site-specific basis. This Appraisal of the Dummer Conservation Area followed a review in 2003 and explains what its designation means for those who lived and worked in the area at the time. Dummer Village Design Statement 2004 What is a Village Design Statement? The Countryside Agency encouraged rural parishes and villages to participate in and influence the way the local planning system operates via the creation of Village Design Statements (VDS). Please note that the Dummer Life website is for information and interest purposes only and provides links to original material readily available on the web. Any questions or local authority enquiries should be directed to the Parish Council or local authority Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Dummer Conservation Area Appraisal Document Dummer Village Design Statement 2004 LIBRARY OF CONTENT RELEVANT TO DUMMER How they lived then - one family's life in Dummer from the 1540's to the 1740's By Jackie Wilkinson - Dummer Resident As well as working with the Victoria County History Group, tracing the history of Villages in North Hampshire, Jackie Wilkinson spends much of her spare time researching and writing about ordinary women of the past. This fascinating article finalised in 2025, and entitled "How they lived then - one family's life in Dummer from the 1540's to the 1740's", takes a closer look at Martha Neale and her family and how they lived up until her death in May 1703. Burning Passions - A Brief History of Kempshott Park By Stafford Napier - Dummer Resident - Updated June 2026 This brief monograph traces the history of Kempshott Park from humble beginnings as a simple farm, that formed part of the Manors awarded to Norman knights after the Conquest, through a time of royal and societal notoriety, onwards through times of national importance and, finally, to sad decline and devastation with the land overrun by swathes of suburbia. The “burning passions” referred to in the title range from love and lust through a large amount of actual “burning” to a recreational passion for the game of golf. All will become clear! Dummer and Kempshott Two Chalkland Parishes In 2022 a soft cover book written by Jennie Butler and Sue Lane was published. The book is available via Amazon and other publishers online: The Victoria History of Hampshire: Dummer and Kempshott (VCH Shorts) : Butler, Jennie, Lane, Sue: Amazon.co.uk: Books John Holden, local resident, has also sent a great list of further reading and recordings about Dummer as follows: Dummer Village by Anne Pitcher (printed by the author, 1986) Contains many old photographs of the village. [Unable to find a copy online but worth contacting John Holden who may have a copy] The Diaries of Dummer, by Stephen Terry, edited by A.M.W Stirling (Unicorn Press,1934). Stephen Terry (1774-1867) was a hunting squire who lived at Dummer House, where he entertained Jane Austen. His favourite song was: “Anything’s fun in the country you know, or else in rainy weather, What should we poor mortals do for weeks and weeks together? We laugh, we dance, we drink, we sing, And away dull care to the devil we fling, For anything’s fun in the country!” The Life of the Reverend Mr James Hervey, to which is added A Collection of His Letters (R Taylor, 1772) James Hervey (1714 - 1758) was Rector of Dummer in the 1730s. Many of his printed letters are addressed from Dummer. When James Hervey was Rector, he appointed the famous preacher George Whitfield as his young Curate. Whitfield was later known as “the Evangelist of America”, a country he visited often and where he delivered sermons to huge crowds. As well as being a notable clergyman and a member of John Wesley’s Holy Club, James Hervey was a writer who influenced William Blake. He was one of the “Graveyard School” of poets (“the dreadful pleasure inspired by gazing at fallen monuments and mouldering tombs”) and thus an early Goth. The most famous quotation from his works is: “I am a poor unworthy sinner; but worthy is the Lamb that was slain, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, for whose sake I shall receive both pardoning mercy, and everlasting glory. This is my only hope….” He died on Christmas Day 1758 Pigeon Shooting by Archie Coats ( A Deutsch, 1963) The Amateur Keeper by Archie Coats (A Deutsch, 1978) Archie Coats (1916 -1989) lived with his wife Prue Coats (see below) in Tower Hill, Dummer. He was a famous pigeon shooter who appeared in the Guinness Book of Records and in addition to these two books he wrote journal articles in The Field and elsewhere. The Amateur Keeper records the development of his ten-acre shoot in Dummer. There is a wonderful TV programme featuring Archie and his distinctive voice available here: https://www.thefield.co.uk/features/video-pigeon-shooting-with-archie-coats-20925 Prue Coats was the author of several cookbooks: Prue’s Country Kitchen (World Pheasant association, 1988) Prue’s Perfect Guide to the Shoot Lunch (Pen & Sword Books 1991) Prue’s Perfect guide to the Fishing Picnic (Wharncliffe Books, 1991) The Poacher’s Cookbook (Merlin Unwin 2003) Prue’s New Country Kitchen (Merlin Unwin 1997) Prue’s New Country Cooking (Merlin Unwin 2004) Simply Salmon and other Good Food (Merlin Unwin 1995) Prue Coats (1925 - 2020) had a regular cookery column in The Field magazine, and most of her books and recipes are for game and fish. She was a first-class cook, and invented many ways to deal with all the produce that her husband Archie brought home from fishing expeditions and shoots. The Restoration of Dummer Bells 2011 (Dummer Church, 2011) See below link to All Saints' Church. An illustrated account of the 2011 restoration of the ancient Church bells, which need to be re-cast every 100 years. As well as describing how the bells were restored, this book describes the Church and some notable residents of Dummer. John Betjeman, ABC of Churches, 1960 The Poet Laureate John Betjeman made a series of TV programmes for the BBC about his favourite churches. One of them was All Saints Dummer, and the film can be found by searching on YouTube for John Betjeman’s ABC of Churches (BBC May 1960. About All Saints' Church & Its History All Saints' Church has a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book. Below are links to the benefice website and which provide more detailed information about areas of the church. ALL SAINTS' HISTORY ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES WINDOWS & MEMRORIAL FURNITURE & FITTINGS MUSIC & BELLS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH BURIALS CHURCHYARD & CEMETARY LIST The Dummer Treadmill The Treadmill, which is located a short distance from the Queen Inn Public House in Down Street, was built in 1879 and refurbished by Dummer Golf Club in 1993 with funds provided via a grant from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. It was built to supply the village of Dummer with water in 1879. The building housing it, and the wheel, were restored and put into working order in 1971 and again in 1993. It is Grade 11 listed. The treadwheel is 10ft diameter overall and the rim is divided into twelve equal segments. The tread board is 14 inches wide, elm boarding and only three pieces are used to complete the whole circle. It is also fitted with a friction brake. To enable men to operate the wheel there is an iron handhold on the wall. The narrowness of the tread board and the handhold indicates that it was worked mainly by people power. The only other wheel similar to the Dummer Treadmill is at Upham Manor.

Dummer Village has a small run off pond. Visiting wildlife regularly fly in. The pond is managed by villagers and underwent a refurbishment in 2023.

This page provides a link to the Dummer Parish Council Website. Dummer Life website does not include political information on planning, meetings, campaigning other than where to vote. Dummer Parish Council For more information about the Parish Council from Planning Applications, meetings etc go direct to the Dummer Parish Council Website Parish Website

Places to Stay There's lots to do and explore in the Village and we hope the below categories are of interest Walks & Nature Sports, Clubs & Wellness Shops, Food & Drink Architecture Places to stay Blackwood Forest Blackwood Forest is the perfect place to get away from it all. Relax in one of 60 cabins dotted among the tall beech trees in a secluded corner of the forest. Its location in Hampshire is set within a 270-hectare beech wood, carpeted in bluebells in the spring and bathed in golden hues in the autumn. View More The Chapel A beautiful converted 1863 Chapel. We have created a serene, spacious and tranquil place in a rural Hampshire Village, with excellent transport links to the South Coast and direct trains to London within 50 minutes, which makes it an ideal location for exploring. Walking distance to The Queen Inn pub, plus Cafe and Tap Room approximately 30 minutes walk. Located on the Wayfarer's Walk, we are also a perfect location for exploring Jane Austen country. Well behaved dog welcome. View More Dummer Down Farm Dummer Down Farm offer summer pop up camping for Pitchup.com visitors and overnight stop over for Britstop members. With the cafe open 8-4pm daily and the brewery open Friday and Saturday evenings from 4pm as well as having visiting food trucks the farm is an ideal location to stay with family friends and four legged companions. Contact the farm for more information. View More Garden Cottage The Garden Cottage is a self-contained cottage with its own entrance and use of the kitchen garden and tennis court in the spring/summer. A very well equipped kitchen/sitting room with comfortable sofa, a bathroom/shower and beautiful double bedroom upstairs. In a beautiful part of Hampshire for walking, cycling or a few days exploring local towns/villages. An ideal working from home environment too with excellent wi-fi. Wonderful views over our garden and the Basingstoke Golf Course. View More Little Box Cosy little Annex in North Waltham with one bedroom and one bathroom. Perfect size for two (or 2+baby). Double bed with luxury bed linen, comfy sofa, TV and tea & coffee making facilities in the main room. We have a very small fridge for milk or a baby bottle. Black out blind available. En suite with shower, sink and toilet. View More The Candover The Candover, a beacon of hospitality nestled in the Candover Valley. Come and stay, nurse a pint in front of a roaring fire, sip cocktails on the terrace or tuck into a delicious Sunday lunch with the family. View More The Wheatsheaf The Wheatsheaf i, a beautiful country-style pub and hotel in North Waltham. It offers a functions rooms, food, drink, accomodation, wifi, disabled access. The bar area is also dog-friendly but not the main restaurant area. View More Tower Hill Guest House Tower Hill House in Dummer provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. The property is non-smoking. All rooms at the guest house have a flat-screen TV with garden views available, all rooms have a private bathroom. Rooms are equipped with a refrigerator. View More

VILLAGE LIFE Keep up to date with current news and items of interest as well as explore all Dummer has to offer. Latest News Latest news and interesting reads about the village If you'd like to contribute to any sections about the village do email: enquiriesdummerlife@gmail.com Find out more Dummer is surrounded by local venues offering events, activities, places to stay, shop and explore. Within the Explore option you can view lists and links to the following: Architecture to explore Places to shop, eat and drink Places to stay Sports & activities Walks & Nature Village History A brief history about Dummer and where the name comes from. Latest News History Explore the Village

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Your Home Directory Maintaining any house and home can be expensive and especially in a village where many of the buildings are listed or very old. Below we have provided some local information from traders and businesses that either live in the village or nearby or who villagers have recommended from the local area and who can help or at least we hope they can. Please email enquiriesdummerlife@gmail.com if you wish to add any new contacts below. For emergency services for heating , plumbing, electrics, lost dogs, local council contact please go to the emergency page: EMERGENCY Cleaning Pets & Pest Services Fuel Services Property & Garden Maintenance Interiors Vehicle Maintenance Cleaning Services Below is a list of cleaning services from cesspits and septic tanks to household cleaning to oven, windows and carpets. All services have been recommended by villagers. Carpets Barry All Seasons Cleaning Services | Carpet, Rug & Exterior Cleaning 01252 408504 07740 605826 Gavin Threadgold Cleaning Services, Carpet & Flooring 07880 831239 info@gtcleaning.co.uk Sharif - Squeaky Clean (Ovens, Carpet Cleaning) 01256 633683 07969 133063 Ovens Greg W Clark Lives locally to Dummer but based in Andover. Comes recommended by Dummer Resident. 0800 140 9800 ask for Greg Domestic Alison (local Resident living in Dummer) Contact Alison for more information and what she can offer from a domestic cleaning perspective. Alison: 07949 943298 Windows Following all recommended by Villagers: Liam Roberts Window & Gutter clearing 07792 442898 BCC-WCC: Bin, Windows & Gutter Cleaning: 01276 605145 (Farnham company) DSUK Lltd - Domestic Services 08081446441 Effluent Services Caroline's Effluent Services : Regular sewage removal service? ECS Tanker Services: Septic tank and cesspit emptying repairs & maintenance, surveys Drain clearance & jetting Call: 01420 561 777 info@easycleanservices.co.uk ECS Also provide Plumbing and Heating repairs and installation. KLG Waste Services Wet Waste Removal. Septic tank and cesspit emptying repairs and maintenance Surveys Drain clearance and jetting Call: 01252 717550 Mobile: 07831 210152 Fuel Services Below is a list of fuel services from logs, to oil clubs. Logs Charlie Conduct: 07715 975549 Also a good supplier: Ben Log Man: 07774 36011 Barry in the village also maybe able to help and Andrew at Dummer Down Farm if you're stuck. A1 Logs: Firewood logs for sale - Bramley, Hampshire. https://a1logs.com/ Oil Club The Oil-Club is the largest, family-run oil club in the UK, with over 14 years of experience looking after our 180,000 members interests, securing great rates and reducing the amount of heavy-goods traffic through our villages every day. Our service is free, and will save you time and hassle. Rawlings Local firms supplying heating oil and fitting and servicing existing tanks. North Barn Pickaxe Ln, Hook RG29 1SD · 8.1 mi Open · Closes 17:00 · More hours 01256 761612 Interiors A list of interior and design services for your home from painting & decorating, tiling to blinds & curtains to carpets and more. Carpets Carpet Fitters recommended by residents: Oakley Carpets & Furniture 01256 782070 Eddolls Carpets Alresford 01962 735715 Contact Us - Eddolls Carpets Curtains & Blinds Clifford Blinds and Curtains: 01256 410003 Stylish Blinds for Your Home | Cliffords Blinds Shade Ahead 01256 350051 Blinds fitting | Basingstoke | Shade Ahead The little curtain & blind company 01252 641270 / 01489 354281 The Little Curtain and Blind Company - Home Honeysuckle Interiors www.honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk Painters & Decorators QDS Painters & Decorators Local Painter and Decorator with unit at Dummer Down Farm. Professional, independent painters and decorators serving Basingstoke, Fleet, Newbury, Reading and beyond. 01256 397111 Heath Brothers: For all interior and exterior painting. Steve: 07776 302601 Nick: 07719 318951 Tiling Tile & Stone Specialist in ceramic, porcelain and stone tiling from kitchen walls, bathrooms and floors. Call Kevin Scriven 07530194722 Wigmore Ceramics Wall and floor tiling, including ceramics, natural stone, porcelain and terracotta tiles accented with mosaics. 07833 583049 01628 633820 info@wigmoreceramics.co.uk Pet & Pest Services The following list of pet services recommended by local residents from groomers to dog walkers and sitters. Dog Grooming Kempshott Dog Grooming Contact Jo: 07711 017966 Beethoven dream dog parlor 07402 453001 beethoven.dream.dog.parlor@gmail.com Pounce & Paws: Dummer Garden Centre: 07990 495144 Gay Dogs Grooming Gay Dog Boarding Kennels | Pet Care And Grooming Services | Hampshire Dog Walkers Pet Sitting & Walking Bethan Buchanan Local Dog Walker and the Village Yoga Teacher. 07447 915313 Take the lead with Kirsty Kirsty Quince (recommended by villagers) reliable local and popular dog walker. Highly recommended based in Kempshott. 07900 578221. Rachel - Recommended by villagers: 07884 268269 Pest Control Pete Chivers: Pest & Rodent Control. 07777 145404 Recommended by many residents of Dummer Test Valley Pest Control Local Operator: 07542 853564 John Trealeaven +44 7779 184014 Wasp Nest Removal Hampshire | Same Day Local Help Property & Garden Maintenance A list of recommended property and garden maintenance providers including builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers, gardening, tree surgeons. Builders Alderton Properties Limited Graham Alderton (Qualified Plumber, Electrician and builder) Lives in Dummer. 07825699799 M&N Building & Property Maintenance. 07766693619 (Mick) Keith of AHV & RJ Dolton 01256 470247 Rob Yeates: 01256 396879 Ian King Building Contractors Ltd 07860 575990 ianking47@btinternet.com Chimney Sweep Ian Gay & Son Chimney Sweep Dummer based small family run business with over 35 years experience in the Chimney Sweeping industry and more recently Chimney Lining and Solid Fuel Installation Specialists serving Middlesex, Surrey, Basingstoke and surrounding areas. info@iangaychimneysweep.co.uk 01256 398 887 Double Glazing Recommended by Villagers: Keith Woolford 07771 957387 Electricians Lake Electrical: Providing reliable domestic electrical services across Hampshire and surrounding area. Rewires Consumer Unit & Upgrades Additions & Alterations & More Fully Qualified, insured and NAPIT registered. 07713 974500 info@lakeelec.com Mark Smith Heating & Plumbing & Electrics. Gas, oil, air source heat pumps and electrics firm. Bathrooms, kitchens. Authorised installer of Grant Oil Boilers. 01256 782410 Gardens & Maintenance Tree Surgeons and Garden Maintenance recommended by residents: John Crook Oakfall Tree Surgery Sherborne St John 07891 736402 Alan Jaynes (Ali) Garden Maintenance: Lawns, Hedges, Flowerbeds, Patio & Furniture cleaning, Pruning 07812980147 TJR Gardens & Recycling Licensed waste management, removal & recycling services to domestic & commercial. Info@tjrrecycling.co.uk Call us: 01256 578026 Plumbers & Heating KP Brockbank Ltd Oil Boiler services 01256 886339 07470 348649 Info@kpbrockbank.co.uk www.kpbrockbank.co.uk Mark Smith Heating & Plumbing. Gas, oil, air source heat pumps and electrics firm. Bathrooms, kitchens. Authorised installer of Grant Oil Boilers. 01256 782410 Options Heating Professional Plumbing & Heating Services in Hampshire. 01256 592559 or Mobile 07961 010180 Thermodynamics Plumbing & Heating. Approved Gas, Oil and LPG engineers. Contact: 07834 400860 https://thermodynamic s.lt d Graham (Lives in the village) Boiler services and plumbing as well as general house maintenance +44 7825 699799 Roofing Matthew's Roofing offers all roofing services, repairs, roof replacements, fascia, soffit, guttering repairs and replacements. wayne@matthewsroofingservices.com www.matthewsroofingservices.com 07956 624673 Sports Ground Services & Installation Fieldform Ltd Based and locally owned, Fieldform provides design and build expertise to both commercial and residential clients, specialising in delivering detailed and challenging construction projects for sports, agricultural, MUGA. HQ: +44 (0) 1256 591001 James Coney: 07970 314465 Richard Burden 07722 095904 E: info@fieldform.co.uk Water Softeners SoftFX Water Softeners website: Softfx.co.uk Delivers salt also. Contact Jez: 07920 096588 Ali: 01256 959635 Email: info@softfx.co.uk Winchester Water Softeners Call: 01962458123 Email: sales@winchesterwatersofteners.net Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Below is a list of local vehicle repair, service and MOT companies recommended by residents. Alexander Autos Need major bodywork repairs? Vehicle mechanical and body repair work by experienced specialists. 01256 398 883 alexander.autos@hotmail.com Alexander Autos Sunnyside Farm Dummer Basingstoke RG25 2AL D&N Autos Cars and light commercials. We cover all aspects of your motoring needs. From a MOT to a full engine rebuild. Dummer Down Farm, Dummer, Hants RG25 2AR 07780 625473 dandnautos@hotmail.co.uk Martin Mathewson Vehicle Servicing, MOT & Repair Specialists. Owned by Dummer resident Martin Mathewson. Unit 1 Pensdell Farm, Farleigh Road, Cliddesden, Basingstoke, Hants RG25 2HA Call: 01256 364 753