Plough Sunday

Occurring
for 1 hour
Venue
Winterborne Monkton: St Simon & St Jude
Address
Winterborne Monkton Dorchester, DT2 9PT, United Kingdom

Plough Sunday was celebrated on
5th January 2025 at Winterborne
Monkton. Traditionally Plough Sunday
marked the end of the mid-winter
Christmas festivities. The twelve days of
partying and celebrations were finished
and Plough Monday was back to work.
But before work started, the plough (often a
communal one for the whole village) was
brought to church to pray for a blessing on it and the work it would do. After
the service it was taken (often with dancing) round the village and villagers
were invited to make contributions to the cost of its upkeep and the upkeep of
the Church that had blessed it. Rev'd Keith Magee is seen here with a plough
belonging to Charles Norman, church warden and local farmer".

Winterborne Monkton: St Simon & St Jude

Our small rural church dates from the 13th Century and is found in the hamlet of Winterborne Monkton, south of Maiden Castle and two miles from Dorchester.

We worship once a month, on the first Sunday at 11.15am with Holy Communion using the BCP. For family based services a more modern, simpler format is used. With a working farm at the heart of the village, we make a special point of celebrating Plough Sunday, Rogation, Lammas and Harvest.

The church is still supported by the local community, and a small band of volunteers ensure the church is well cared for. It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors and parents with children, for one of our friendly services. Well behaved dogs also welcome!

Get in touch

Charles and Judy Norman

The Manor House
Winterborne Monkton
Dorchester

DT2 9PT
Church Warden
(01305) 262719

Our website

What's on

Plough Sunday

Occurring
for 1 hour
Venue
Winterborne Monkton: St Simon & St Jude
Address
Winterborne Monkton Dorchester, DT2 9PT, United Kingdom

Plough Sunday was celebrated on
5th January 2025 at Winterborne
Monkton. Traditionally Plough Sunday
marked the end of the mid-winter
Christmas festivities. The twelve days of
partying and celebrations were finished
and Plough Monday was back to work.
But before work started, the plough (often a
communal one for the whole village) was
brought to church to pray for a blessing on it and the work it would do. After
the service it was taken (often with dancing) round the village and villagers
were invited to make contributions to the cost of its upkeep and the upkeep of
the Church that had blessed it. Rev'd Keith Magee is seen here with a plough
belonging to Charles Norman, church warden and local farmer".