Cropwell Young Farmers on their 'Tractor Run' as they came through the village today. I believe there were about 60.

Even if you didn’t see them, you may still have heard their fancy horns!

Mel Stanley

Sadly the concert at St Giles' this Saturday evening, 13th April, has had to be postponed for health reasons.

People who have already bought tickets can either have their money back, or hold on to their ticket for a rearranged date - which will be announced without too much delay.

Hilary Tabron

Some of you may remember James and Jack Gelsthorpe, two brothers born and raised in Cropwell Bishop and who both went to the village school.

James went on to live and work in Leeds as a barrister and Jack moved to London where he now works as a curator at the Imperial War Museum.

Very sadly, James died in December 2022.

James and Jack ran the Nottingham half marathon a few years ago and afterwards, no doubt fuelled by beer and bravado, said to each other that they would have a go at the London Marathon and run it together. Of course that will now never happen.

Jack however is determined to run it himself and in two weeks time, on the 21 April, he will be running the full London Marathon.

This is something Jack very much believes that he has to do whilst ever he is able to. Whilst he will never enjoy running alongside his brother in the physical sense, he knows that James will be there, in spirit, to support and carry his brother every step of the full 26 miles, a distance Jack has never attempted before.

Jack is running to raise funds for MIND, a charity that him and the rest of the family have given full support to since James died and it would be fantastic if you felt able to help in some small way by sponsoring Jack.

Jack sees supporting MIND in this way as a real privilege and would be thrilled to know that the folks back home and all his and his family’s friends from the village might be moved to support him.

Below is a link to Jack’s page on the Just Giving website:

Jack’s "Just Giving" page

On behalf of Steve, Judith, Jason and Rebecca Ashton (nee Gelsthorpe) a huge thank you if you feel able to support Jack and MIND in this way. As Jack says:

"I am raising funds for MIND, a charity that aims to make mental health an everyday priority. A charity that supports people struggling with their mental health, wherever and whenever it is needed….

James didn't get this support. So not only am I running in memory of a wonderful human being, I am running to try and do a tiny bit to ensure people know of, and can access, support at critical moments."

Thank You

Steve Gelsthorpe
Tel: 07767 673 213
steve.gelsthorpe@icloud.com

Many of you will know that the Cropwell Bishop Entertainment Committee now run a raffle at the various events held at The Old School.

Usually, the proceeds from this go back into funds that help to pay for all the fabulous entertainment that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep, however, we made an exception last month.

When we showed the film Barbie, we invited everyone to wear something pink (and there were some wonderful sights!!) and to donate the proceeds of the raffle to Breast Cancer Research.

We also did the same for the raffle held at The Springtime Quiz.

I’m delighted to say that I was able to pay £300 to the charity last week. Thank you SO much everyone for your generosity.

Please see below the e-mail confirmation for the payment.

From: hello@breastcancernow.org
Sent: Thursday, March 28th 2024, 11:43
Subject: Your donation today

Hi Sharon

From all of us at Breast Cancer Now, thank you to the Cropwell Bishop Entertainment Committee, for making your fantastic donation of £300 on 28/03/24.

I hope you’ve enjoyed fundraising for Breast Cancer Now. For any future donations, or if you’d like to get in touch with us again, your reference number is 8-13478621.

Thank you again for your support. Your donation will help us to reach our goal that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well. If you have any questions, you can come back to me by email or call 0333 20 70 300.

Best wishes,

Lydia
Supporter care executive - Breast Cancer Now
Ibex House 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY

Having had successful treatment for breast cancer myself in 2021, and having family and many friends who have also had this, I would like to remind all you ladies to check your breasts regularly and to attend the routine mammograms (from about age 50).

Mine was picked up at what would have been my last routine screening. I had no lumps or any other signs, so I was extremely lucky.

Some of you might be surprised to know that, although far less common than in women, men can also get breast cancer. A 64-year-old male friend of mine had a mastectomy earlier this year.

Signs of male breast cancer include fluid or blood oozing from the nipple, a rash or soreness around the nipple, and a small lump in the armpit (not all necessarily present at the same time).

So, this is a shout out to you all - make those checks regularly, attend the screenings and see your GP if you’re worried.

Sharon

It's the Saturday Cafe at The Old School on Saturday.

The photos from last month (below) show how popular this event has become.

See the poster on the Events page for full details of this Saturday's offerings – which inludes Hot Cross Buns.

The shelves of the book/jigsaw exchange will contain further new books and jigsaws following an influx of donations.

In addition, a special effort has been made to stock more for children, and it is pleasing to report that villagers have donated both books and jigsaws over recent weeks.

Children might welcome the opportunity to enjoy a "real" activity instead of one on a screen: so might parents and grandparents.

See you on Saturday.

Hilary

Lisa Newbold who is our local Cropwell Bishop Co-op pioneer for groups in our community has been allocated some Easter eggs from the Co-op to give out to local groups and individuals who are working within our village to keep it looking at its best.

The Cropwell Bishop Litter Picking group has been given an Easter egg to give to someone in the village who loves litter picking and wants to make the village look tidy.

We are delighted to say that our egg has been awarded to Olivia Humphreys to thank her for all the litter picking she has done around the village over the past year with the help of her Grandmother Janine Dabell.

When Olivia was asked why she litter picked she replied that it was to look after the environment and the wildlife.

Here is Olivia our little Star litter picker pictured with her Mum Chloe and Grandmother Janine being presented with her Easter egg by Lisa.

On behalf of the Cropwell Bishop Litter picking group we would all like to thank Lisa Newbold and Cropwell Bishop Co-op and especially Olivia for all the litter she has picked to help keep Cropwell Bishop litter free.

Thank you.

Godfrey Allison
Cropwell Bishop Litter Pickers

Last night it was The Easter Quiz at The Old School and, judging by these photos, everyone had a great time!

Photos by Mel Stanley

Spring cleaning the Old A46, the creamery parking space and the island.

Great team work as usual.

Mel Stanley

In line with the Barbie theme the filmgoers were asked to come wearing something pink.

Hats, scarfs, jumpsuits, sweaters, blouses, bow ties and jackets could all be seen.

One ‘Ken’ even had beautifully manicured pink fingernails!

So why did people dress up?

The event was dedicated to raising awareness and money for breast cancer. To that end it was a great success – a total of £ 160 was raised.

The film was fun too.

Why not come and join us for our next film ‘One Life’ on Friday 19th April.

Gerry Humphries
Entertainment Committee

PRESS RELEASE: GREENFIELDS VOLUNTEERS AND RUTH EDWARDS VISIT

On Friday 2nd February, The Grantham Canal Society were delighted to welcome Ruth Edwards MP and Greenfields Countryside Limited to join volunteers working in the Cropwell Bishop area. Due to the hard work of all involved, the dry section of canal at Bridge 23, Colston Road, was cleared of trees and brash. Greenfields Countryside Limited generously donated their time and expertise and brought their machinery with them; allowing chippings to be donated to Belvoir Vale Riding for the Disabled.

The work was completed as part of The Grantham Canal Society’s plans to clear, repair and rewater the canal. Ruth Edwards MP said, ‘It was fantastic to hear the Grantham Canal Society’s plans and to see how the reconnection of the waterway would be tied to sustainability and biodiversity of the area around the canal.’

Caroline Stevens-Turlington from Greenfields Countryside Limited said, ‘The experience was fulfilling and gave us the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and contribute to the local community. We believe these experiences can inspire others to volunteer as well.’

Tony Osbond, General Manager at The Grantham Canal Society said, ‘linking up with Greenfields Countryside was a great opportunity to work with businesses in the area that are like-minded in bringing back to life heritage projects that in time will see the Grantham Canal restored as a natural waterway. We are very grateful to the time and effort that Greenfield Countryside have devoted to our restoration work.’

If you are a business or individual looking to make a difference, please contact: volunteer@granthamcanal.org

Nikyla Manners
Committee Member
Grantham Canal Society

PRESS RELEASE: THREE SHIRES CRUISING SEASON AND CRAFT FAIR

The Grantham Canal Society is pleased to announce that their cruising season will commence from Sunday 10th March, to celebrate Mother’s Day. Thirty-minute trips are available for only £25 for up to ten passengers, and longer cruises are also available to book. The award-winning boat trips, aboard the Three Shires narrowboat, offer stunning views of the canal. All proceeds go towards the canal’s maintenance and restoration. To book, please visit:
https://www.granthamcanal.org/trip-boat24/

There will also be boat trips available at the Grantham Canal Society’s first event of the year, the Spring Craft Fair, held on Sunday 21st April, 10am-3pm at their Woolsthorpe Depot (NG32 1NY). The society will host a wide variety of local crafters alongside their own fundraising stalls. The Craft Fair was a huge success last year, and was enjoyed by crafters, visitors and volunteers.

For more information about boat trips, upcoming events and the work we are doing to restore and maintain the Grantham Canal, please follow us on social media:
Facebook – Grantham Canal Society
Instagram - @granthamcanalsociety

Nikyla Manners
Committee Member
Grantham Canal Society