Menu
01300 341345 hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
The Friary, Hilfield, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BE
Donate Registered Charity Number 236464
News and Events
Our Biodiversity Baseline Survey
Posted on 7 July 2022
We held a successful Biodiversity Baseline Survey here at the end of May 2022. 30 ecologists decended on Hilfield to establish a picture of who we share our land with. All the Hi Stoy Conservation Cluster were involved. The survey included bats, doormice, birds, moths, beetles, flies and flowers.
Milling planks and timber
Posted on 7 July 2022
Toby from Dorset Horse Logging came to Hilfield to mill some of the wood from the Friary into planks and timber.
100 safe oak trees
Posted on 7 July 2022
The tree guards are now installed around the 100 oak trees planted in December last year. They will now be safe from interested wildlife, and will be able to grow and thrive.
Lindy’s Ordination
Posted on 7 July 2022
Community member Lindy was ordained priest at Salisbury Cathedral on 2nd July . She celebrated the Eucharist for the first time in the Friary chapel on 3rd July. It was a joyful time for us all, and we were happy to welcome many of her friends and family. Lindy is a pioneer minister, and she will be serving her curacy at Hilfield with Jonathan Herbert as her training incumbent.
Hilfield’s beautiful Wildflower Meadows
Posted on 22 June 2022
Come and walk through Hilfield’s beautiful wildflower meadow. See thousands of amazing orchids and other wonderful plants. Keep to the beaten paths, let us know you’re coming, have a cup of tea!
Hilfield Community photo 2022
Posted on 10 June 2022
On Tuesday 7th June the Hilfield Community Members had their annual photograph taken.
The photo was taken with the members sitting on the steps in front of St Francis House. This is a tradition going back many years.
The Community is made up of a wonderfully diverse mixture of lovely people.
The Annual Brothers’ Chapter
Posted on 10 June 2022
Hilfield hosted the The Annual Brothers’ Chapter, known as the ABC, this week. The Brothers of the European Province of the Society of St Francis, of which Hilfield is a part, meet up for this extended meeting once a year.
Important topics are discussed and officers are elected.
Below is a photo of the Brothers and Bishop Christopher Chessun in the Chapel here at Hilfield.
May at Hilfield
Posted on 18 May 2022
Here are some photos of the beautiful May flowers and spring growth here at Hilfield. The Secret Garden is wonderful in April and May with the array of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and countless more species.
Br Vincent’s work continues
Posted on 1 March 2022
There is further pruning and clearing for ease of access and the benefit of the plants taking place in the Secret Garden. Pathways are being constructed and hopefully finished soon.
Br Vincent’s snowdrops are looking fantastic and we’ve planted more daffodils. We’ve cleared the brambles at the top of the Secret Garden, and planted more grass seeds, summer snowflakes and alliums.
A sign of early spring
Posted on 22 February 2022
Community member Kerri took the photo above of rogue crocuses in the middle of Douglas House lawn.
Below are crocuses in The Avenue with Juniper House in the background.
There are also snowdrops in abundance and Daffodils ready to flower.
100 Oaks for 100 Years
Posted on 14 January 2022
In December people came from far and wide to plant oak saplings. They celebrated the Eucharist in the marquee, enjoyed a tasty lunch, listened to music, blesssed the oak leaf stone carving created by Community Member Lindy, and listen to tales of Hilfield.
Hilfield Community Members at COP 26
Posted on 15 November 2021
Two of the community were in Glasgow last week at COP along and with many other friends spoke up for the urgency of the Climate Crisis and the urgent need for action.
Jonathan is praying and protesting with Christian Climate Action and Clark is praying and lobbying with Franciscans International. We are immensely proud of their witness.
Boardwalks completed in Hermits Wood
Posted on 15 November 2021
Great excitement today as work is completed on the new boardwalks in Hermits Wood. Remember to check them out next time you visit.
Our first brown calf
Posted on 15 November 2021
Our first ever beautiful brown calf was born in October.
Effects of climate chaos
Posted on 15 November 2021
It feels pertinent that on the eve of COP26 Hilfield had extraordinarily heavy rain that flooded the Wriggle. There was enough force to destroy many of our dams built to slow it down leaving scars of bare stones where there had been glorious rich carbon storing mud.
Climate chaos is effecting us now, we need action now!
Hilfield Friary is part of the Society of St Francis, a worldwide Anglican
Religious Order. Visit their website: https://www.franciscans.org.uk/
Hilfield Friary Group Booking Cancellation Policy
We have a Community day off every Monday. In an emergency please
phone 01300 341345 and leave a message.
SOCIETY OF ST FRANCIS SAFEGUARDING POLICIES