I can see the Christmas Tree and its colourful lights from my window - and it's wonderful.
A brilliant idea and I really appreciate the sight – and I am sure other villagers will feel the same.
Thank you to all those involved with making it happen and the volunteers who erected the tree in the Pinfold.
Christmas is coming!
David Glyn-Jones
Cropwell Bishop's own Christmas Tree is now standing and lit up in the Pinfold.
It appeared yesterday, in time today, December 1st.
It arrived, not by magic, not flown in by fairies, on the backs of reindeers, or via facebook, but through the efforts of our Parish Councillors and helpers who toiled to get the job done.
Many thanks to them. Thanks also to Mel Stanley for taking photos.
Lovely friendly atmosphere at this morning's Saturday Cafe at The Old School, captured perfectly by Mel Stanley's photos below.
Hand-made crafts and gifts on sale at this week’s Saturday Café (see Events poster).
Prices from £2 to £8.
Only available here – no orders.
Hilary Jarrow
Congratulations to Eve Young of Cropwell Bishop who won the 'Sportsperson of the Year' award at the 'Celebrating Rushcliffe' event at Rushcliffe Arena last week.
She and the other winners and shortlisted nominees were praised for their contribution to life in the Borough.
Eve has competed in artistic swimming for over 10 years on the international stage for GB and this year scooped the British Championships free and technical solo.
She juggles her academic work with relentless training and has competed in Peru, Malta and Serbia. Remarked as a role-model by her nominator, inspiring many other young athletes.
Cropwell Bishop Parish Council have given support to Eve on several occasions over the years and in 2022 she gave a presentation at The Old School as part of the Meeting of the Electorate.
Eve, who was then just 15 years old, gave a composed and illuminating talk on her sporting journey up to that point.
Tony Jarrow
The cold wind did not put off Colin Bryan, his dog and his drone this morning. Thanks to Colin for these fascinating photos.
Some good news regarding local bus information.
John Greenwood is a member of our community and ex councillor still active in attempting to keep the Cropwell Bishop local bus service the best it can be.
John Greenwood has put this report together on behalf of the Parish Council.
The information board on the bus stop by the Church on Church St is now showing how many minutes we have to wait before the ‘33’ service comes along. This is very helpful and reassuring.
We are also able to pick up the locations of buses on the 833 Bingham service and the 90A evening/Sunday service to Bingham and Nottingham using the bustimes.org app on our mobiles.
This app does not yet show the location of the vehicles on the 33 service. Hopefully our County Councillor, Neil Clarke is working on this along with Notts County Council Officers.
The other snag is that the only bus stop information boards in the village are by the Church on Church St. The County web site information suggests that residents can request the information boards at their local stops. Click:
To request an electronic display at a bus stop, please complete the new highways request form. Click:
Residents you can help. We encourage our residents to go onto the website and request information boards at their stops.
The more requests are made the better the village chances for getting more boards.
Clerk of Parish Council
It was the Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the September edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.
And the winner was .... Linda Field.
She will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.
Tony Jarrow
This village event never disappoints. In fact, it gets better every year thanks to the imgination and efforts of the Parish Councillors and the Memorial Hall Committee.
To top it all, it was a dry night.
Thanks to all involved with putting it on.
Tony Jarrow
The Old School on the last Saturday of the month is proving to be a busy and fun place to be these days. That is when the Saturday Cafe takes place.
As well as the regular Book/Jigsaw Exchange and the stall with Cards etc, there was, last week, a stall with locally made craft items – along with the machine for making some of them.
Should be just as exciting next month when it will be last Saturday Cafe of 2024.
Tony Jarrow
As choir practice takes place in St Giles, The Plough (star formation) points towards the North Star above (out of view).
The church dates back to 1215 and the tower was added in the 1400s so this view is, essentially, the same as it was over 500 years ago. I wonder what the choir were singing in those days.
A lovely picture captured by Mel Stanley.
Tony Jarrow
The car boot is full and so is the back seat. Hilary will once again have a fresh range of books and jigsaws at this week's Saturday Cafe. Hopefully, see you there.
Tony Jarrow
On cold days like today, few people are thinking about Spring, but these people from Cropwell Bishop's Gardening Club are.
Those flowers we enjoy when the warm Spring weather arrives have to be planted now.
Most of us do the same thing every day of our lives; work to make a better tomorrow.
It's good that do but we should not forget to also take time to enjoy the efforts of others who make our today more pleasant. Slices of cake and mugs of tea for example!
Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.
Thanks to Colin Bryan for the photos.
Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.
Just to show that you don't have to wait for the aurora to see dramatic skies, here are a couple of back-garden evening photos taken by Jan Marsh.
Tony Jarrow
Did you by chance look at sky around 10.30pm last night?
If so, you might (or might not: see below) have seen a colourful display of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).
Helen Burke was ready to catch the display with her mobile phone and her beautiful photos are shown below.
However, if you did look up at that time and didn't see this display, don't be too hard on yourself.
If you had been standing in a dark place with no light pollution from houses and street lights (a couple of miles away in the Vale of Belvoir maybe) and if you had spent 10 minutes in the darkness to allow your eyes to open wide, then you would have enjoyed these sights.
But if you had stepped outside your back door, with your indoor lights glowing through the curtains, and with your eyes still accommodated to electric lights and TV, then you would have only seen darkness.
However, your phone camera can take long exposures - staying open for around a second, and capture far more light than your eye.
So next time, be prepared.
Load the free 'AuroraWatch UK' app onto your phone and set it to give you alerts. Cross your fingers and take a photo of the sky.
If you are able, move to a darker spot and see if you can see it with your own eyes.
It could be over 20 years before the Sun again generates this level of activity; make the most of this time.
Good luck.
Tony Jarrow
Thanks to Helen Burke for the photos.
One was from an upstairs window overlooking Hoe View Road, another from a gate heading out of the village towards Cropwell Butler, and of course two outside St Giles Church.
And Hilary has already bagged everything for her Book and Jigsaw Exchange stall. Lots of fresh stock amongst it.
See the poster on the Events page.
Tony Jarrow
Some of our village litter picking group (CBLP) were out today.
As you can see, all forms of litter continues to be cast aside on our paths and roads.
Why?
Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.
Hilary's Cropwell Day Trippers were in Stamford today.
The market was in full swing, street cafes were serving and the weather was beautiful: it felt like the south of France!
I wonder where they will decide to go to next.
Thanks to Mel Stanley for many of the photos.
Tony Jarrow
Thanks to the Parish Council and Tony Jarrow for bringing our attention to the changes to our evening bus service. The 92 service operated by Vectar/Central Connect was revised on 28th July 2024 to be incorporated (as a 90A service) within the ‘90’ Nottingham to Newark services via Bingham.
Whilst we have slightly fewer evening services, we do now have a Sunday service for the first time in many years!
In general, Cropwell Bishop now has a reasonable bus service and the attached Summary may help residents appreciate the options we have available.
I understand that fares are held at a maximum of £2 for a single adult journey until the end of October when they will increase to £2.50. Reliability seems pretty good at present and you can check the location of your expected 833 or 90A bus on the map within the ‘bustimes.org’ app.
There are many interesting places to visit. Please do try and use our buses where you can, to help preserve the services for the future.
John Greenwood
August 2024
Nottingham Road is going to be closed this week; from Tuesday 30th July to Thursday 1st August.
Severn-Trent plan to dig up the road between Mill Lane and Barratt Close.
Road signs are already in place on this stretch.
I don't have any more details.
Tony Jarrow
We need volunteers to help with The Stilton Stumble 13th October 2024.
Tasks include;
– Help set up (Saturday 12th Oct; afternoon)
– Marshal on Race Day (Sunday 13th Oct; morning)
– Man water station in Colston Bassett (Sunday 13th Oct; morning)
– Help clear up after the Race
We would really appreciate your help.
Please contact us at:
volunteer@stiltonstumble.com
Thank you
Sue Foss
Stilton Stumble
Paul and Alistair, who performed at last night’s wonderful Summer Concert at St Giles Church.
The concert helped raise funds for the heating of the Church.
Mel Stanley
If you have an interest in sport of any kind, you will no doubt be following events at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Whilst no one from Cropwell Bishop will be competing there, one will be in Paris working hard to enhance the nation's enjoyment and understanding of canoeing.
Helen Darby-Dowman, who has lived in Cropwell Bishop for over 10 years, will be one of the BBC commentators at the canoeing events.
She is well qualified for the job having been an Olympic commentator for the BBC since 2008.
She didn't do the job at the 2004 Athens Olympics, because she was there representing Britain as a competitor. That was in the canoe slalom kayak event – and she won a Bronze Medal!
The first Canoeing event is tomorrow, Sunday, beginning at 16.45.
Look out (or more likely, listen) for Helen on TV.
She may well be referred to as Helen Reeves because that was her name back in 2004.
Enjoy the Paris Olympic Games.
Tony Jarrow
The 92 evening bus service is ending on Saturday 27th July.
But a new service, 90A, will begin the next day and provide an evening service between Cropwell Bishop and Nottingham.
The Vectare 90A bus service will run between Nottingham and Newark calling at many places in between.
However, it comes through Cropwell Bishop on only a few occasions – always in the evening from Monday to Saturday.
So, from Monday to Friday, using the 90A you can leave Cropwell Bishop in the evening, at: 19.11, 20.41 or 22.11 and be in Nottingham 24mins later.
Coming back, you can leave Nottingham at: 19.40, 21.10 or 22.40 and be in Cropwell Bishop 28mins later.
On Saturdays, you can leave Cropwell Bishop in the evening at: 19.51 or 21.51 and be in Nottingham 24mins later.
Coming back, you can leave Nottingham at: 20.20 or 22.20 and be in Cropwell Bishop 29mins later.
On Sundays it comes through Cropwell Bishop during the day but not in the evening.
You can leave Cropwell Bishop at: 10.07, 12.07, 14.07 or 16.07 and be in Nottingham 23mins later.
In the other direction, you can leave Nottingham at: 10.35, 12.35, 14.35, or 16.35 and be in Cropwell Bishop 29mins later.
To download (as a pdf) the complete timetable click:
90A timetable
To download (as a pdf) the press-release explaining these changes click:
Vectare Network changes July 2024
Tony Jarrow
If are tempted to go to the Creamery Cafe (see earlier article below) but have been put off by the steps leading up to its entrance, read on.
Cheese Shop staff will gladly arrange for you to enter via the back door – but you must phone beforehand to request this service.
They will put a ramp at the back door so that people in wheelchairs or using walkers – or indeed anyone put off by the steps at the front – can visit the shop and cafe.
But, remember, you must phone before you go.
The number is: 0115 989 1788.
Enjoy your visit, everyone.
Tony Jarrow
Keep it quiet, but the Cheesemakers Shop on Nottingham Road now has a Cafe where it is serving drinks – and food.
It's a new venture for Cropwell Bishop Creamery and staff are still working hard to ensure they have thought of everything that might be needed. For this reason they are keeping it low key for the time being.
Having said that, we have enjoyed coffee drinks and a Ploughman's Board in the last week.
It has a lovely clean, airy atmosphere; staff serve you at your table – you can't help but feel relaxed.
The coffees and food have been excellent.
Great place for meeting up with friends.
Cafe open: 10am-3pm, Mon-Sat.
Maybe best not to tell anyone else – we don't want to find it full when we next pop in!
Tony Jarrow
The Parish Council welcome our newly Co-opted member.
Helen writes about herself:-
My name is Helen Wright and have been Co-opted to the Parish Council at the meeting on the 2nd July 2024.
I have lived in Cropwell Bishop for 7 years and my Family for over 30years. I am looking forward to contributing to keeping this village a thriving one.
I am often walking the in the village with my dog (Marley) so you are most welcome to come over and talk to me when you see me out and about.
07855 751263
cllr.h.wright@gmail.com
We hope you will all join us in wishing Helen well on joining the Parish Council.
Janice Towndrow
Cropwell Bishop Parish Clerk
A bit chilly — but a Great Night!
Photos by Mel Stanley – plus early evening drone photos by Colin Bryan.
It was the Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the June edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.
And the winner is .... Sue Foss.
She will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.
Tony Jarrow
Cropwell Day Trippers will be going to Stamford (and its Market) on:
This will be our second trip and we will leave at 9.30am from outside The Chequers car park.
We will be staying approximately 3 hours at Stamford, so will get back to Cropwell mid-afternoon.
Planning to keep the cost to around £13.50ish – but it all depends on numbers. We have booked a Sharpes 39 seater bus.
No payment please until I email on 24th July.
Are you interested in joining us?
Let me know if you are - phone: 0115 9893178 or email: amjarrow@mac.com ... and join the merry band of Cropwell Day Trippers!
Hilary Jarrow
Thanks to the sunshine – but more importantly, THANKS to the Volunteer Waterers who ensure they look their best.
And, thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.
