Cropwell Bishop Village Parish Plan

Can we help ourselves? (17-8-09)

When something goes wrong with your house and you know you need the help of a plumber, electrician or other tradesperson, do you tremble at the thought of picking up the phone? You feel sure that there are some great skilled workers out there but you also know from personal experience that there are some rogues.

These were my feelings when my central heating started playing up. There were loud banging sounds whenever it started up and the cause was a mystery to me. Alan Wilson recommended someone, a heating and plumbing engineer, and gave me his number: I phoned him.

I was a little concerned by the recorded message but nevertheless left my details: how many times have plumbers failed to phone you back? I needn’t have worried. Within hours I got a call back from the ‘office girl’. I was given the option of a visit at 10am in two days or at the weekend: I chose the first. The plumber arrived on the appointed day - 20 mins early!

He patiently listened to the history of the problem and asked questions. I told him that the pump seemed to switch on only after a delay of about 20 seconds. Although I installed the central heating in our first house (many years ago!) I was flummoxed by this problem but my plumber wasn’t: he was pretty sure it was caused by a ‘sticking water pump’. Only an experienced plumber would have come up with this idea: I would have changed the controller, valve and boiler before looking at the pump!

To cut a long story short: he confirmed the pump was faulty, he had a suitable one in his van, he overcame problems with tight nuts, he avoided draining the whole system (and so saved time) and he explained everything he was doing. It was clear that he knew what he was talking about. I asked him if he thought I ought to replace the old controller with a modern new one. He said that if it was still doing what I wanted it to do, why change it? How many plumbers would have leapt at the chance of more business, whether necessary or not?

Within a couple of hours my system was back working properly. The bill arrived a few days later and I was able to pay it over the Internet. And the bill was very fair and reasonable. My faith in plumbers has been restored - well at least in this one.

There are skilful, honest craft/business people out there; the problem is identifying them. Maybe we in Cropwell Bishop can help ourselves by posting personnel recommendations on this website? If you have a story to tell and are willing to make a personal recommendation, send me an email.

To finish my story, the name of the plumber that I can personally recommend is Alan Thompson. He lives in Woolsthorpe and his business is called ART Heating and Plumbing. Telephone: 01476-870674; email: artheating@aol.com

Tony Jarrow

Birthday girl (7-8-09)

Rose Meredith is 90 years old this weekend; and rumour has it that a number of surprise Celebrations are planned.

Rose is an indefatigable lady, who still acts as hostess at Coffee Mingles and Friendship Centre Coffee mornings is rarely to be seen sitting down and 'taking it easy'. She always has a smile and encouraging word, and frequently a helping hand, for many people in the village.

She is wished many many happy returns of the day, and, for once, it just might be her turn to be on the receiving end of 'service with a smile'!

Our Stilton is the best in the world! (1-8-09)

Of course we in Cropwell Bishop already knew that but it is nice to see it made official.

Cropwell Bishop Creamery earned the accolade for its Blue Stilton, as well as scooping five gold medals in different classes at the International Cheese Awards 2009. Ben Skailes, from the family-owned firm , said: "We are obviously thrilled because, in these days, there are so many great British cheeses out there. It really is a wonderful accolade for us to receive a prize like Supreme Champion."

The Cropwell Bishop Creamery was acquired by Mr Skailes' grandfather, Frank, in 1948, but did not produce Stilton at the time. The family made Stilton at a dairy in Melton Mowbray, but when that closed, production moved to Cropwell Bishop in 1984. They now have about 10% of the Stilton market, supplying prestigious retailers like Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Harrods, as well as Waitrose, Sainsbury's and delicatessens. As well as the classic Blue Stilton, they make an organic Blue Stilton, a White Stilton, speciality White Stiltons such as blueberry and apricot, and Blue Shropshire – which is similar to Stilton.