2024 is an Council Election Year!

If you would like to serve as a Councillor or would like to nominate someone to serve as a Councillor, nominations are open from 11th March to 5th April 2024. Please contact Parish Clerk (via email: highstoy@dorset-aptc.gov.uk), for more information about the role and process for nomination.

 Notice of Election

Dorset Council Election of Councillors for the Dorset Council Wards listed below:

Dorset Council Ward, Number of Councillors to be elected:

 /_UserFiles/Files/Notice of election - Dorset Council - 2 May 2024 v110324.pdf

1. Nomination papers must be hand delivered to the Returning Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ between 9.30am and 4.30pm on any working day after the date of publication of this Notice (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4pm on Friday 5 April 2024. Some additional appointments will be available in the evenings and also at locations in Blandford Forum, Wareham and Wimborne. Details can be found at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/dorset-council-elections-on-2-may-2024-information-for-candidates. Please make an appointment to deliver your nomination papers by telephoning Electoral Services on 01305 838299 or emailing elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. 2. Nomination papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ during the times stated above or can be downloaded from https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-and-agents-localgovernment-elections-england/nominations/completing-your-nomination-papers/nomination-form. 3. If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024. 4. Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ by 12 midnight on Tuesday 16 April 2024. Apply online to register to vote or download an application form at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 5. Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ by 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024. Apply online to vote by post or download an application form at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. 6. Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate or download an application form at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. 7. New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Apply online to vote by proxy or download an application form at https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote. 8. Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ by 5pm on Thursday 2 May 2024. Download an application form at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/proxy-votingapplication-forms. Dated Monday 11 March 2024 Matt Prosser, Returning Officer Printed and published by the Returning Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ

 Notice of Election Dorset Council

Election of Councillors for the parish and town areas listed below:

 /_UserFiles/Files/Notice of election - Parish and town areas - 2 May 2024. v110324.pdf

Next Parish Full Meeting of the Council is the Annual Meeting of the Council and will take place on 14th May 2024 7.00 pm at Hilfield Friary Recreation Room

High Stoy consists of three parishes – Hermitage, Hilfield and Batcombe – located in the best part of the Blackmore Vale between Sherborne and Cerne Abbas

Total population is around 350 to 400 – mainly involved in agriculture, trout fisheries, a friary and local support businesses.

Hermitage parish includes around 50 homes, with the village centred around a green, the village hall and St Mary’s church. There are several active local groups who run a variety of events, including an annual event centred on the green, and a number of themed activities around the hall. Money raised goes to support the village facilities and charities.

Batcombe village, hidden under the northern slope of the Dorset Downs, is surrounded by mysterious legends. The church of St. Mary Magdalene, built on an ancient site, is the subject of one of these curious tales. The local squire, who dabbled in magic and was regarded with a great deal of fear and superstition, was said to have knocked off one of the pinnacles on the tower when he made his horse leap over it. The fearful villagers were afraid that they might offend the devil by repairing the damage, so for a hundred years they left it alone. When it was repaired, it was repaired crooked.

The second legend features a mystic stone on the summit of the hill above the village called the ‘Cross-in-Hand’, which is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d'Urbervilles. This small, Grade II listed Pillar dates back before the Norman Conquest and has acquired stories about images of a ghostly hand being seen grasping a bowl at its top.

Newlands Farm was the Manor house between the 16th and 18th centuries and the front roadside wall of the farmhouse has an Ashlar Hamstone archway dating from 1622.

Hilfield is a small, scattered village with a population of about 50 situated in the beautiful Dorset Downs. Hilfield parish church, dedicated to St Nicholas, dates from the 15th century but its origins may be as early as late 13th century. Within the parish is Hilfield Friary a faith-based community centred on Franciscan brothers of the Anglican Society of St Francis. The village also has a Manor House, a nature reserve on Hilfield Hill and last and probably least it has featured on Escape to the Country !