Cropwell Bishop Village Parish Plan

Can the whole world see a photo of you? (23-7-10)

At the recent "Picnic in the Park", local photographer John McLean snapped pictures of people enjoying the event: did he take one of you?

Why not take a look at all 94 photos and, if you wish, you can buy a copy.

Click on the following link:

Picnic in the Park photographs

Tony Jarrow

Houses available on Barlow Close (22-7-10)

The 'low cost houses' being built on Barlow Close of the Cropwell Butler Road will soon be occupied. The Project Manager sent the following message to the Parish Council:

"The properties are complete and are in the process of being snagged including the gardens.

The delay has been with off-site surface water drainage from the site to the ditch across the road which runs to the Severn Trent plant: the legal documents have taken time to complete.

We are now in the position for this work to commence from week commencing 26th July and will complete with the tarmac going down for us to take formal handover of the site week commencing 30th August 2010.

We have people ready to move in for the rented properties and are currently assessing people interested in the Homebuy properties."

If you are interested in one of the Homebuy properties shown in the photos, phone Judith Wise on 0116-2205571 as soon as possible.

Tony Jarrow

Don't go to Iraq: experience it at Cropwell Cinema (18-7-10)

On Friday, Cropwell Cinema is showing 'The Hurt Locker'—the film that won an Oscar.

This is what the critics said about the film:

"Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.

The Hurt Locker is the most insightful anti-war film about Iraq.

It is a blazingly powerful action movie, whose unpretentious clarity makes for a refreshing change.

Director Kathryn Bigelow is, in dramatic terms, on the side of the soldiers. She has a single location – Baghdad – and wants to find out what is going on inside the US combatants' hearts and minds.

Debating the purpose and origins of the conflict is not the point. Yet Bigelow says more about the agony and tragedy of war than all those earnest, well-meaning movies that sound as if they've been co-scripted by Josh and Toby from The West Wing."

Well, having read that, I am sure that a couple of hours at our Cinema on Friday will have a greater effect on you than watching anything else that happens to be on TV that evening.

Tony Jarrow

We want a pedestrian crossing (16-7-10)

Notts County Councillor Richard Butler was recently in our Primary School to receive a petition from its pupils.

They, their parents and many other people in the village, would like a safe pedestrian crossing on Church Street. The photo shows them handing their petition to Richard Butler.

Parish Coucillors, Alan Wilson and Peter Walters, were also there in support of the children.

Tony Jarrow

Teddy Bears jump from Church (5-7-10)

Whilst many of you were enjoying a Sunday dinner yesterday, teddy bears were jumping from the top of St. Giles Church!

Don't panic though, it was a fun event organised by the Church and is not a sign of unrest amongst local bears.

Thankfully they had a parachute of sorts to aid them and there was a Doctor on hand - just in case.

Remember, this event is for teddy bears only: don't even think about joining them!

Tony Jarrow

Picnic in the Park: Saturday evening (5-7-10)

The sun continued to shine as activities got underway on the Memorial Hall Field. A climbing wall had been erected and young children were scaling it like seasoned experts: I didn't see any adults from the village leading the way!

The music played continuously. Bands took their turn to entertain us with their different musical styles as people and children chatted, played, barbecued and danced.

Whilst the acoustics of a stage set in the back of a lorry trailer might not be up to Glastonbury standards, the bands and singers themselves were excellent and created a great atmosphere.

I understand that over 370 tickets were sold. Children under 12 were free and at one point I estimated that over 50 were playing on the 5-aside park and the swings. There must have been almost 500 people at the event: a great turnout and it was wonderful to see so many young families. Here was the next generation of Cropwell Bishopers enjoying themselves.

The carefree atmosphere continued as the sky darkened and the Cropwell Bishop Singers sang. Adults and children danced and pranced or launched Chinese Lanterns.

Then there were the fireworks. Once again 1st Galaxy Fireworks put on a superb show and, as we watched, we were treated to a suitably loud musical accompaniment. A bit like 'Last night of the Proms' plus fireworks.

Then more Chinese lanterns started drifting from all corners of the field. They appeared for the first time last year but now they look like being a permanent feature of the event—weather permitting!

A whole evening of entertainment for £5 and the children were free. That has to be good value. The event is organised by the Parish Council for us and I am sure that those who were able to be there are grateful for their efforts.

Tony Jarrow

Village Celebration: Saturday afternoon (4-7-10)

Morning and afternoon merged into one today.

Even before the activities at the Old School had drawn to a close, the Marching Band was trooping from the Memorial Hall, down Nottingham Road and on to the Primary School.

Numerous stalls and events were already underway by the time the band and followers reached the School's playing field.

In the continuing warm sunny weather, hambergers were sizzling, ice creams were being queued for and donkeys were carrying thier loads slowly in the heat.

School Head, Phil Palmer, once again found himself in the stocks with young children (surely not his own pupils!) pelting him with wet sponges. Certainly not something I would have risked when teaching at a Comprehensive School!

There was a great atomosphere in the School grounds with lots of opportunities for people to chat with old friends.

At St. Giles Church there was a fascinating display of old wedding photos and even wedding dresses. A reminder that we all change our appearance over the years, although a few seem to have limited the changes very well!

Even so, everyone of us can at least look at even the youngest person or child and think, "I was once your age—for a whole year." However, remembering the sensations and feelings of that particular year can get increasingly difficult with age—or is that just me?

At the Methodist Chapel there was the opportunity to rest feet and have a cup of tea before exploring the craft and produce stalls.

Tony Jarrow

Village Celebration: Saturday morning (3-7-10)

The Old School was the place to be this morning and lunchtime.

It was warm and sunny and the music was playing. Everyone was relaxed and it was just like being, well, in the Caribbean?

Our Youth Group, CKOB, worked with the Parish Council to present a 'Family Fun Day with a Caribbean Twist'.

Just look at the photos and you will see that those who went along appear to have had lots of fun.

Mel Stanley

Music for a Summer Evening (3-7-10)

The Celebration Weekend in Cropwell Bishop started last night with a concert at St. Giles Church.

Here are a few pictures of the event.

Mel Stanley

Red Sky at night ... (2-7-10)

Well any shepherd would have been delighted with the view from the allotments this evening. Not only shepherds on this particular night because this is the Village's Celebration Weekend.

Events began this evening and tomorrow a large number of activities will be taking place outdoors. The red sky is a delight and so is the BBC weather forecast. This will be a great relief to the several hundred children and adults taking part in activities.

You have had a programme in the Newsletter and you have seen the posters around the Village. All you have to do now is enjoy the weekend. Will the Chinese lanterns soar again after the fireworks display? Wait and see.

Tony Jarrow