Spread the word to farmers in the Borough and encourage them to come along to a Rural Crime Forum on Wednesday May 1 from 7pm to 9pm at Oddhouse Farm, Colston Bassett Lane, Owthorpe NG12 3SF.

The event is a great opportunity to be updated with the latest news and developments directly from the Police and Partners in tackling and preventing crime within our local Farming Community.

The session is a two way networking meeting for questions, ideas and discussions. Refreshments will also be provided.

For further information please call Jo McOuat on 07790 846111 or Cllr Rob Inglis on 07786 015450.

Clerk: CBPC

Introduction

My second year serving as Chairman was to be totally different to my induction year as I am now familiar with most of the statutory procedures that have to be adhered to in order to carry out Parish Council duties.

With the help of our most competent Clerk, Janice Towndrow, I have been able to confidently apply my own ideals within the spectrum of such a challenging post within the Village of Cropwell Bishop and thank Jan for her tireless and sometimes unforgiving workloads.

My first main disappointment this session came at the Annual Meeting for the Electorate 2023 where a turnout of less than 30 residents showed me how many people in this Village are actually interested in what is happening around them. Previous commitments, illness and a variety of sound excuses is generally the cause of such low numbers, but as with life today maybe we simply have to accept this scenario for our future and continue regardless.

There is a school of thought however that tells you if nobody turns up at such an event it could mean that everyone is happy or satisfied with the way it is running. We know, however, that is not true from some of the complaints we receive, of which unfortunately, some are totally beyond either our remit or indeed our control to resolve.

We have also been operating up to now with a “one-man down scenario”, within the Parish Council numbers, but that is not to say we don’t have sufficient Councillors to operate efficiently.

My take on this is that we are not unique, there are many organisations around, not just Parish Councils, whereby the dwindling numbers of people who are willing to take up any form of responsible position/s within those organisations is falling drastically, and unfortunately due to the age of those managing the said activities, is such that we lose many people sadly annually with little or no replacements from a younger generation.

We are attempting to attract volunteers from the community to assist in the running of events without necessarily serving as a Councillors, and we do have success with our Entertainments Committee, and also our helpers at the Saturday Cafe and regular Cropwell Luncheon, we thank them all for their generosity of time.

We have also recognised that communication can be part of this Village’s low support for events, as currently from the Parish Council notification is by poster in the various notice boards, an extra one is scheduled within the new Church Street development, by notification within the Cropwell News/website and sometimes posted on the Cropwell Bishop Bulletin Board.

Due to the Cropwell Bishop Bulletin Board not being the “official” village Facebook page it has been decided to set up such a page that can be used, for information purposes and hopefully this will create more rounded and better communication channels to include those who prefer Social Media as their link?

Activities

Activities organised, and/or subsidised by the Parish Council, have been in the main very successful and these include the Annual Picnic in the Park, Firework Night Spectacular, Senior Citizens Xmas buffet, Quiz nights and Cinemas.

Once again, a great big thanks goes out to all those concerned with arranging these events and also those who helped on the day/night. I would also like to thank the businesses and organisations that have supported some of these events in the form of prizes or equipment that have helped to make them an ongoing success.

There are some organisations and groups that are run outside the bounds of the PC but are supported whole heartedly in any way practical by the Parish Council, these include; the Volunteer Gardeners, the Litter Pickers, the Gardening Club and the CB Allotments. These are activities run by volunteers for the Village, with the Village at the heart of their efforts, and I thank their organisers and participants for their hard work and efforts.

One activity which has grown over the past twelve months is the CKOB (Youth Club) run by Cllr Jo Wroughton, who we thank for all her time and patience devoted to a task that many would run from. With numbers on occasions in excess of 50 it continues to develop within the Old School facility and has gained new equipment this session which has been received with much gratitude by the children.

The Parish Council have backed the continuing development of the Launch Field Football Academy, who currently operate from the Cropwell Bishop Memorial Hall Playing Field, and wish them success in attaining their criteria to develop football activities on the site. Not only has it generated interest from within the village, but also feeds from the surrounding areas thus acting as a catalyst to help with the future of the Hall.

The Cropwell Bishop Memorial Hall charity continues to advance it’s future proposals to create, in some form or other, a building to house a selection of activities, and hopefully there will be opportunities for the Village to engage with these as they progress. Various events are being organised both as fund raisers and information portals and the Parish Council fully support them in their task, please add your support by attending these events as it will make the task somewhat lighter.

Cropwell Meadows

The new Church Street housing development from Bloor Homes is coming to a close and the Village has received various funding relating to government criteria required to enhance certain aspects within any local areas.

New planting continues around the site and once the footpaths are fully functional we hope to return once again to being able to enjoy our open countryside. We are seeing several residents from this area engaging in some of the activities which is very encouraging.

Village Life & Issues

Life within the Village has not been plain sailing for some, and wherever possible the Parish Council have helped in achieving, hopefully, a satisfactory resolution. The weather has been probably the most recent testing for the Village in that we have suffered not only excessive water (thankfully no major flooding like our neighbours in Butler) but high winds, which nearly blew the Christmas Tree out of it’s mounting. This is obviously going to be a pattern for our future and so where practically possible we have put in place measures to reduce the impact of such anomalies.

Although not everything can be done all of the time, we continue to endeavour with solutions and developments, where we are permitted, and guarantee Cropwell Bishop’s best interest always. The Parish Council continue to battle with Planning issues and as the Permitted Development criteria continues to take any control away from both Rushcliffe Borough Council and the Parish Council, we still attempt on occasions to have our say.

Close

Finally, I would like to thank the current PC for their support in all matters concerned.

Jacques Lacey
(Chairman)

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

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