Villagers

Dode has been existing for almost 1000 years. For 650 of those it was lost to us, fell into disrepair and Mother Nature herself began to return Dode as part of her landscape.

Thankfully, Dode was remembered, found and restored back to its rightful place through events that could be deemed luck, or indeed destiny. Now, the villagers of Dode are slowly returning, bringing back life to this once lost village...

Doug - The Keeper

Doug saved a derelict Dode from conversion to a house in the 1990’s and since then has worked tirelessly to breath life back into this important piece of history. Inspiring countless devotees along the way, he has a special gift for attracting people to Dode who wish to preserve its legacy and revitalise interest in this most special of places. Some six miles upstream of Stratford, the river Avon runs sinuously through enchanted parkland that has little changed since Shakespe

Paul - The Celebrant

Resident celebrant Paul is quintessentially everything you would expect from a man of Dode, although perhaps more “Middle Earth” in appearance. Proud to be a Man of Kent, I’ve spent the vast majority of my life living around the county and travelling in the UK, from Lands Ends to John O’Groats developing a love of the countryside & an appreciation of the numerous ancient places dotted in the landscape. In 2013 I experienced my own Handfasting in Orkney; the ceremony taking pl

Jacobine - The Steward

Jacobine is Dode's steward, the trusted organiser of great occasions, the overseer of hospitality, the one who ensures all your life event ceremonies held at Dode are just that little bit more magical. Be it Handfasting, a Naming Ceremony, or your Wedding - Jacobine is there to support you though every step. Jacobine is no stranger to Dode - she has been closely involved behind the scenes for some time and has also played a key role in assisting with our sister church, St Ben

Bernard - The Warden of Lore

Bernard is Dode’s Warden of Lore: the keeper of its stories, its digital hearth, and the many small workings that keep the village alive in the modern world. From shaping the website and tending to all things technical, to helping with practical tasks that come with caring for an almost thousand‑year‑old place. Not long ago Bernard introduced a marvel so wondrous it would surely have been declared sorcery in the 12th century. With great care he has woven invisible threads of

Gwen - The Dode Cat

Every ancient place has its keepers. At Dode, one of them just happens to have four paws, a soft tail, and a gift for knowing exactly when someone needs a gentle welcome. Gwen arrived at the Lost Village of Dode entirely on her own terms. No one brought her here; she chose Dode and decided it was home. Since then, she has become part of the fabric of the village, as present and reassuring as the old stones themselves. Visitors quickly learn that Gwen takes her role seriously.