Cropwell Bishop Village Parish Plan

Cropwell Live Music Night (with extra pictures) (10-12-10)

We were treated to another wonderful, enjoyable evening of musical talent at the 'Cropwell Live' event held on at the Old School last Saturday evening (4th Dec).

The show opened with Ray Hopkinson. He was suffering with a cold but managed to entertain us with some old favourites, including a Beatles medley, on his electric guitar.

We then moved into a more folky mode with Mike Scott revealing his talents on accordion and banjo.

Another change of musical 'genre' as Alex Rickells impressed us with his jazz and classics on Saxophone and keyboard. His own compositions demonstrated a superb musical appreciation and sensitivity.

Alex was followed by the mature humorous approach of singer song writer Dave Collins. Dave has written some amazing songs which are not only tuneful and entertaining but in true folk tradition tell us a story. He played and sang his recent composition about the Chile mining disaster where 29 miners were rescued after many weeks trapped underground. Dave was joined by bass player, Sairz from the Myrtle Sisters to provide some fantastic rhythms and vocal harmonies.

During the short interval, we could visit Bob Stanley who provided his excellent, ever cheerful, (voluntary) service at the bar as he topped up our glasses at very reasonable prices.

Roger and Chris Trivett started off the second half stirring the audience to join in with the chorus of 'Li la li' (the Boxer). Great singing and Roger, a local guitar teacher, showed those of us who struggle to play 3 chords, just how good a guitar can sound.

We were a little puzzled by the Myrtle Sisters as one member of the group was definitely a chap. He played the violin beautifully to accompany the singing and guitar playing of the sisters – a beautifully balanced and attractive performance.

The evening was rounded off in rousing style with our 'old favourites' Frank and Andy on electric guitars. We thought that Caroline was about to make her debut when she approached the stage during 'When I'm Dead and Gone' but we were amused that it was only to stuff a kazoo in the mouth of her husband at the appropriate moment!

Overall a fantastic evening of musical entertainment all for just £3 - what could be better value? Our thanks to all the performers for their super musical contributions and to Caroline Trevithick for leading the organisation and those who lent a helping hand during the evening.

We were disappointed that more of the Locals were not there to enjoy the evening. We may try and arrange a second concert with some of the featured guests so that you can see what you missed!

John Greenwood

Photos by Mel Stanley

See raw Football on Boxing Day; not on 'the box' (1-12-10)

Everyone likes to see the underdog win, but which team is the underdog here?

Can the skills honed by years of experience outwit the speed and enthusiasm of young legs?

Will one team have sympathy for the shortcomings of the other and so ease off so as not to embarrass the other—and if so, which will be the team avoiding embarrassment?

These questions will be answered on Sheldon Field on Boxing Day. Let's hope the players remember that this day is named after the packing of boxes, not a fight!

Tony Jarrow

Beware of this SCAM! (30-11-10)

The Police have sent details of a scam that has been used in Nottingham. We have not heard of it being used in Cropwell Bishop but it is easy to fall for it and a costly one, so be warned. This is how it operates:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

Thanks to PCSO Peter Bloodworth at Cotgrave Police Station for informing us of this nasty scam.

Tony Jarrow

Early Christmas spirit at Saturday Café (27-11-10)

Today, was the last Saturday Café before Christmas. The Christmas Tree inside the Old School was one reminder of the season but the layer of snow outside was a sharper one.

Because of activities taking place at the School this morning, it was a slow start to the Café but by 11am the place was heaving with people drinking hot tea and coffee, eating cake and browsing the three stalls selling things for Christmas.

It is nice to get out—especially when the sun is shining like it did today—but with temperatures going as low as -4°C and more snow flurries forecast over the next few days, we all need to take care on the pavements and roads.

Tony Jarrow
Photos by Mel Stanley

Barlows Butchers (25-11-10)

How long has Barlows Butchers been in Cropwell Bishop? Well the Shop has been there at least 40 years—can anyone remember there not being a butchers shop there or in the adjoining building? Can anyone provide more details about its history?

I believe that in the 1960s it was run by 'old' Harold Barlow and his wife Rose. Then in the 1970s his son Harold and his wife Lesley took over. Lesley still works at the shop making a wide range of ready meals and pies that are sold in the shop. The shop still retains the name of 'H. Barlow & Son' above its window and trades as 'Barlows Butchers' but it is now owned and run by Gary Jowett.

Since taking over the business, Gary has made a massive effort to maintain the reputation of the shop for selling excellent local meat and produce at a fair price. If you have not been into his shop recently, you would be amazed by the range of foods that he now has on sale. In a world of supermarkets, self-serve, online orders and a bewildering range of choice which can be disorientating and confusing (a deliberate ploy?) it is a welcome relief to be served by shop assistants who, if you ask, are able and willing to advise you.

It is obvious that Gary and his staff take pride in the business and are continually looking for ways to improve their service.

As many of you will know, Gary and his family live in Cropwell Bishop. In his usual unassuming manner, he has succeeded in reinforcing community spirit through other enterprising ways. For a long time now he has sponsored the Quiz in 'Cropwell News', providing £30 worth of vouchers as prizes in every issue.

At the recent 'Children in Need' event at the Old School, Gary supplied food for the evening for free. I understand that he is keen to support the younger people of the village and will probably be diverting his sponsorship in this direction in the coming year.

It was not that long ago that Nottingham department store, Jessops (John Lewis), closed on a Monday. At that time it seemed reasonable (to me anyway) for shops to close one day if they are open all day Saturday. How times change!

For a small business, it is much harder staying open 6 (or even 7) days a week but, much to their credit and their energy, they often do. Not long ago, Barlows Butchers was closed on Mondays. In the old days that was 'slaughter day' but the slaughterhouse behind the shop closed many years ago. However, now the shop is open on Monday too so you can buy fresh supplies any day of the week (except Sunday).

One reason that people like to live in Cropwell Bishop is because it has an excellent range of services. I suppose we are lucky to have them but let's not forget that the reason our local businesses are good is not down to luck, but to imagination and a great deal of hard work. Thanks to them.

Tony Jarrow

Next Saturday is the last in the month (22-11-10)

And most of you know what that means: Saturday Café at the Old School!

If you are in the habit of looking at the Diary page, you will already be aware that the Heritage Group will have stall as will the team from Breast Cancer Research who plan to have Christmas cakes, mince pies, pudding goodies and lots more Christmassy stuff.

Also with a stall will be Barbara Pugh. Once again she will be selling a massive range of jams and preserves made from local fruits and crops. Look out for Cropwell Piccalilli, Kiwi & Lime Jam, Quince & Apple Jam, Marmalades (including Whisky and Rum & Raisin), Christmas Mincemeats of all kinds as well as Christmas presentation bags.

With such a wide choice of goods on sale you will be ready for you cup of tea and cake which, as usual, will be served by the Old-School girls (note the use of a hyphen to avoid any misunderstanding!)

With Cropwell Cinema on Friday evening and the Café on Saturday it looks like being a busy start to the weekend. See you there.

Tony Jarrow

Did they do it? (19-11-10)

Did our Cropwell Kids do it? Their goal was to raise £1000 for 'Children in Need'.
They certainly had a good time down at the Old School this evening but how big a cheque will they be posting off to the Charity?
Only one way to find out—click on the Youth page.

A gripping conspiracy thriller (16-11-10)

Addictive and outrageous as the Robert Harris bestseller on which it's based. Polanski keeps the narrative engine ticking over with a downbeat but compelling throb. This is his most purely enjoyable picture for years, a Hitchcockian nightmare with a persistent, stomach-turning sense of disquiet, brought off with confidence and dash.

Roman Polanski's latest movie happens to be about a public figure, once hugely admired, now disgraced, fearing extradition and prosecution and confined to virtual house arrest in a vacation spot for rich people.

Resemblances to Tony and Cherie Blair are very far from coincidental: both Harris and Polanski have clearly calculated that a libel lawsuit would make for an uproarious day in court, precisely the sort of legal appearance that Mr Blair does not care to make, in fact or fiction. This consideration adds a kind of meta-pleasure to the narrative.

Superfast Broadband for Cropwell Bishop? (16-11-10)

On several occasions over the past few years I have phoned up BT to try and get an answer to this question and, all but once, I couldn't even get transferred to someone who could even give me an answer.

The exception was in March this year when I did eventually get through to someone who promised we would get high speed braodband by May. Not May 2011, but May 2010!

Where in the world that person was speaking from I don't know, but I was not too surprised when the promise came to nothing. Is there no hope for us? Will we have to wait until the whole counntry is on high speed broadband before BT fill in the gaps, like Cropwell Bishop.

Well maybe, but there is another possibility; we could 'win' superfast broadband in front of everyone else! We just need to get our local telephone exchange, Cotgrave, into the top five in 'The Race to Infinity'. This is what BT say:

"The Race to Infinity is a nationwide competition run by BT whereby members of the public and local businesses can vote to get superfast fibre broadband, BT Infinity, in their exchange. The top 5 exchanges with the most registered interest as a % of the total telephone exchange size on 31st December will be added to BT's fibre rollout plan. Exchanges need to get a minimum of 1,000 votes in order to enter the race. People will be able to register their interest via the web site from 4th October to 31st December 2010."

Thanks to Steve Hawkins and Chris Syrett who told me about this yesterday. It is easy to place your vote. Just click on the link (web site) above, fill in a few boxes and you will be added to the list. When I added my name to the list yesterday, I was the 40th but that only represents less than 1% of customers using the Cotgrave Exchange. Whatton already have 9% but, being a smaller community, they might struggle to reach 1000. The Race is on—can we be a winner?

If we don't enter we can't win, so lets give it a go. Imagine being able to download whole films in seconds, or watching TV live via the internet, or placing your bid on ebay in the final second!

Tony Jarrow