The Lost Village of Dode (Official)

15/12/2024

13/12/2024

Wow a week ago already….what a fantastic and busy weekend it was.

🎄 3 delicious Christmas Feasts served by Flying Pig Kitchen and for those who attended please join us in giving Sally & Rob and the team an almighty thank you. Come rain or shine (in this case storms) they cooked up a feast with smiles on their faces.

🎶 Music was provided by the talented Phaedra Friday and Sunday evening and !nVerse on Sunday lunch and a big thank you to them both, adding to the festive vibe.

We are now getting ready for next weeks Carols and we can’t wait to see everyone there.

If you have any pictures from the Christmas feasts last weekend please do share…we didn’t manage to get many ourselves. 🫶🏻

Fancy hosting your own private party/event….get in touch with [email protected].

11/12/2024

Different strokes for different folks.

Recently a few people have asked me about Dodes doctrine and as we are now at an important time of the year in a number of religious calendars perhaps this is the time to elaborate.

One of the most recent was an enquiry from a lady a couple of weeks ago who asked why, if Dode isn’t aligned the Christian religion, we held carol services.
It was a fair question.

My answer was firstly that it’s a carol concert, and not service, there are no bible readings but rather poems that usually reflect on the natural world and Dodes place within it.

I also pointed out that many carols, particularly the melodies are old folk tunes, that originally had nothing to do with Christmas and, that as far as organisation permits, we hold the concerts as close as possible to the Winter Solstice, an event entirely dictated by nature and not mankind.

I ended by saying that a number of religions have major celebrations in December, nothing is exclusive and it’s simply something that everybody needs and enjoys.
A gathering together of humanity at the darkest time of the year.

It’s was a bit of a mishmash of an answer, thinking on my feet, in front of 30 other people, but along with a number of other similar questions asked recently the general ‘thrust’ of the question deserves a more fulsome answer, together with a short history as to how it came about.

I’m not the most intelligent, knowledgeable or eloquent of blokes but no one can doubt my enthusiasm so here goes.

I was brought up in the Christian faith and at the time that my involvement with Dode started almost 35 years ago, despite reservations, is how I would have described myself.

Recognising immediately that the place we had so unexpectedly acquired was sacred, believing that in essence, religion is often divisive and being aware of its deep heritage l wanted to make Dode a little centre of multi faith worship, with all religions able to use it, free of charge.

My ‘first ports of call’ were obviously various branches of the Christian Church, with initial approaches also made to other mainstream religions, all of whom expressed interest.

A number of the ‘branches’ of the Christian faith were most helpful and enthusiastic.

Then, as now, considerably out of my depth, I spoke, amongst many others, with such diverse representatives of religion as an Anglican Bishop and a Catholic Archbishop, a Swami and a Shaman.

Back then, two men in particular; the Prior of Aylesford, and The Metropolitan of Glastonbury offered sound advice, both spiritual and practical but most importantly of all, encouragement.

Sadly all I received from the local diocese of the Church of England was a negative, even hostile response.

If my own church, in which I was baptised, confirmed and married, could not entertain the concept, it was clear that I was ‘barking up the wrong tree’ and following a particularly acrimonious exchange with the then Archdeacon of Rochester involving our ‘inappropriateness’ of depicting a dragon within our walls (strange, since Rochester Cathedral hosted an artwork of a dragon earlier this year) l decided that if we could not host all religions at Dode we would host none, but that people all religions, and of course of none, would be welcome.

And that’s where we stand.

To reiterate, people of all religious beliefs are ‘accepted on equal love’ as are adherents to ‘world views’ such as Anamism. People who are conflicted, and those who have no faith or belief whatsoever. All are welcome.

A decision made over a quarter of a century ago works well at little Dode and, if you have been lucky enough to secure your ticket, we look forward to greeting you next week to our two carol concerts.

Not to a solely Christian ‘event’ but simply to a much needed and appreciated tiny gathering of humanity in our secluded valley, at this, the dark time of the year.

Bright Yuletide Blessings
Doug.

10/12/2024

A beautiful candlelit hand fasting during Storm Darragh last weekend….

Congratulations to Lori & Paul wishing you both the very best ❤️

And not to mention Sandra & Paul who filled the church with magical music 🎶

08/12/2024

A Question.

Undeniably Mary and I are ‘getting on a bit’ - we’ve started to downsize and (despite Mary’s illness) we remain pretty active, so it’s not proving easy!

There is one thing that the good followers of Dode may be able to help with however:

Over the last 50 years I have built up a small library of both antiquarian and modern books, obviously they reflect my interests and some have become good friends, I am reluctant to sell them, or to give them away!

So, here’s the thing - I am thinking of relocating them to Dode, where hopefully they will continue to be loved and cherished. People would be able to borrow them - no fee, just a small donation to our charity and in that way interested people (including myself) could access them, and they would no longer ‘dominate’ a room at home, dusting is a nightmare!

They are all of what you might loosely term academic interests (no Fifty Shades of Grey, sadly I’m not permitted such things!) and most are about local (Kentish) history. Alternative (principally nature based) ‘world views’, Religion, Paganism, Leylines, Travel etc etc.

It would mean a lot to me to keep the collection intact but would it be of sufficient interest to others, particularly in such a remote’ place.

Put simply - would it be used even if only occasionally?

Let me know what you think - might it be of interest to you?

Bright Blessings - Doug.

ps: I see that some of the more inquisitively minded have requested, even demanded, that the story of Mabel, who dedicated herself so selflessly to the enjoyment of village life some 700 years ago is made public.

An unabridged appraisal of her heroic activities will therefore be posted for your delectation in the New Year.

08/12/2024

The roads are all clear on route to Dode this morning….so all ok for the lunchtime Christmas Feast. See you soon 🎄

06/12/2024

Nothing but blue skies…a crisp winters morning as we prepare for this evenings festivities 🎄❄️

05/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Feasts at Dode 🎄

We can’t wait to welcome those attending this weekends Christmas Feasts with Flying Pig Kitchen….the weather is expected to settle tomorrow so it’s all systems go.

Those driving….be safe 🫶🏻

02/12/2024

Our medieval chapel is beautifully dressed for the season, ready to welcome those attending our magical Christmas celebrations. To all our guests, we can’t wait to share this unforgettable festive experience with you!💍 Dreaming of a winter wedding? Picture saying your vows surrounded by the charm and magic of Dode. Last chance to book for Christmas 2025 – secure your date now for a celebration like no other.Visit www.dodevillage.com or contact us today to make your dream wedding a reality.

28/11/2024

“A celebrant, dressed in a grey robe reminiscent of a Tolkien character, guided the ritual.”

Featured in this months Rock n Roll Bride magazine the gorgeous union of Mac & Evie 🍁

Click the link to read more….

Bewtiched and hitched

https://www.rocknrollbride.com/2024/11/bewitched-hitched-a-pagan-handfasting-meets-practical-magic-at-the-lost-village-of-dode/

26/11/2024

25/11/2024

23/11/2024

Wow a bit of a difference today…..rain rain go away ☔️☔️

22/11/2024

✨ Most Unique Wedding Venue ~ Highly Commended ✨

Ok so we didn’t win….but super excited that we come runner up with Highly Commended in the Quirky Weddings 2024 Awards.

Up against other amazing venues and unlike most wedding awards, these awards are based on a ‘secret shopper’ style judging so no written entry as let’s face it with awards people can write what they want and sell themselves.

So the fact that our special little place….with our small little family (yes no fancy big corporate team here) has been recognised for our customer service, inclusivity & accessibility, sustainability and uniqueness (of course) has made me sooo happy 🥰

22/11/2024

Featured in this months YYour Kent Weddingmagazine.....unusual venues in Kent 💍

https://www.county.wedding/image-upload/flippingbook/YKW117/30/

21/11/2024

Thank you.

Last week I posted that I had ‘shot my self in the foot’, as a result of our volunteers Jacobine and Bernard diverting some of their attention to bringing life back to Dodes sister church in the Medway valley below.

I am pleased to say that the wound has healed completely thanks to the many offers of help that Becky has received.

Some 35 years ago, Dode and I were both quite lonely but happy in each other’s company as we grew to know and understand each other.

How things have changed! It’s all thanks to people like you who care.

Just as I got to know Dode all those years ago, I very much look forward to getting to know it’s new volunteers better when she (yes; Dode is female) awakes from her (and my) winter hibernation in the spring.

Bright Blessings
Doug 🙏🏻