NEWS ARCHIVE 2025


The Old School – Parish Council Statement

Old School

The Parish Council understand that recent activity around the old school building has prompted concerns within the community, particularly regarding speculation that the building may be sold.

The Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation.

The recent survey of the old school building was commissioned solely due to the age and historic nature of the structure. To ensure we are taking care of our community assets, it is our duty to ensure that buildings under our care are safe, structurally sound, and properly maintained.

This survey is part of our routine due diligence and does not indicate any intention or plan to sell the building.

We want to assure residents that there are no discussions or decisions underway within the Parish Council regarding the sale of the old school. Any future decisions concerning the building will be made transparently and in consultation with the community.

We appreciate your interest and care for our shared heritage and will continue to keep you informed.


Janice Towndrow
Parish Clerk


Winner of 'It's in the News' Quiz

It was the Parish Council Meeting this evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the May edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.

And the winner was .... Pat McEachran.

She will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.


Tony Jarrow


Jumbo Jigsaw Exchange

Jigsaws

Hilary is getting ready for her Jigsaw Exhange/Sale at the Saturday Cafe at The Old School this weekend (see Events Poster). The car is now full and ready to go.

For anyone who is not familiar with the set-up, you can buy a jigsaw for £1 or you can bring a jigsaw and exchange it for free. All proceeds go to Cropwell Bishop Clubs and Groups.

Please note that there will be no book exchange this time but there will be a stall with books for sale at the Village Fete on Saturday July 5th.


Tony Jarrow



1960s Cliff at our Cinema!

At The old School last night, we had the Sing along version of Summer Holiday. Cliff popped up everywhere!

Mel Stanley


Summer Holiday
Summer Holiday

Can You Help?

Volunteers

The Return of Cropwell Bishop Fete

Banner
Photo: Mel Stanley

A Rainbow World

Flag

We sometimes think we are like everybody else, but we are not; each one of us is unique.

What a boring world it would be if we were all the same. All wearing the same clothes, all eating the same foods, all having the same interests and saying the same things.

Thankfully we don’t live in that kind of world. The vast majority of us accept that other people's thoughts and habits are their own business as long as they don’t harm others.

And yet, in living memory, this was not the case and you could be arrested and sent to prison if your personal life was at odds with the views of those in power.

We now live in a better and fairer world and the flag flying at The Old School indicates that it is a safe space to enter – for everyone, no matter how they identify themselves.

Its colours of the rainbow are a reminder that to make white light you need all of them. And to build a bright world we need the contributions of every kind of person.


Tony Jarrow


(Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photo)


Bus Blues? Banish Them!

Bus

Are you a user of Cropwell Bishop buses? Have you experienced problems with them?

The Parish Council is well aware that some people have not been totally happy with the level of service of the Number 33 Bus and is doing all it can to ensure a better service.

However, posting complaints on social media will change nothing.

Problems need to be brought to the attention of the Bus Company; it can't solve problems unless it is aware of them.

Even then, the management needs full details of any issues to enable it to take effective action.

The Parish Council will help you do this.

If you have a complaint about the level of service of a bus, whether it be a late one, its non-arrival, its accessibility, or maybe the standard of the driving – then please report it to the Parish Council (details below).

But, and this is most important, you need to provide full details so that the incident can be properly investigated by the Bus Company.

Include the time, the location, the bus service (e.g. Number 33 to Nottingham) along with your complaint or comment.

Pass on this information, as soon as possible, to the Parish Clerk, Janice Towndrow, at The Old School;
call: 0115 989 4656, or
email: clerk@cropwellbishop-pc.gov.uk

Help banish the blues!


Tony Jarrow


Outdoor Stalls at Saturday Cafe

Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe

What's a Garage for?

Books

Some people put a car in their garage, but not Hilary. She stores books, thousands of them - and jigsaws too.

She is eager to share a fresh selection with you at this week's Saturday Cafe at the Old School; see the Events poster for full details.

See you there.


Tony Jarrow


Saturday Bric-a-Brac

Bric a brac

Once again, I will be hosting a Bric-a-Brac Stall this Saturday. It will be at morning Cafe at the Old School.

If you are not already aware of the purpose of the stall, please see the article posted on 17/5/25.

Thank you all for your donations so far: this picture is a taste of what to expect on Saturday.

Hope to see you on Saturday where I will be alongside the Gardening Club's stall in front of the Old School: 9am-noon.


Mel Stanley


Mindless Damage!

Damage


Memorial Hall Contributions

Bric a brac

'Friends of Cropwell Bishop Memorial Hall' are still taking donations of good quality Bric a Brac items (no electrical items or books please).

They will help fund the submission of plans for a new building to replace the century-old Memorial Hall.

The contributions will be especially useful for 'The Summer Fete' on 5th July.

Please contact Mel on: 07984 960638 for drop-off details.

Collection can also be arranged, if required.

Thank you for the donations received so far from our village community.


Mel Stanley


VE Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration

VE day

On the 8th May there was a fitting tribute from the 1st Cropwell Bishop Scouts on the Memorial Hall Playing Fields.

Events commenced with the Bells at St Giles ringing out over the village at 6.30pm, along with Cathedral and Church Bells all across the nation.

Followed by the Scouts Parading at 9 o’clock. The names of the men from the Village who lost their lives was read out ….


A. Hall
W. Hall
W. Slater
C. Trusswell
W. Whitmore
G.D. Wright


During the evening the Memorial Hall Meeting Room was open to view a display created by the scouts, illustrating the support given to the armed forces and civilians during WW2.

There was also local information gathered over the years including old photographs and memories of life in the village during the war.

The evening ended with the hymn ‘I vow to thee my country’ and at 9.30pm. the beacon was lit to coincide with the rest of country as a sign of peace.


Pam Wregg


VE day

Celebrating VE Day at Old School

VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance
VE Day Dance

VE Day Nottingham - 1945

VE Day
VE Day
VE Day
VE Day

VE Day Cropwell Bishop – 2025

VE Day

Winner of 'It's in the News' Quiz

It was the Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the March edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.

And the winner was .... Joan Kimpton.

She will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.


Tony Jarrow


Tom Gifts Petanque a New Surface

The start of this season saw the new surface being laid to enhance the Petanque Court at the Memorial Hall Playing Field – all we need now is some rain to settle the dust down.

Our thanks go to “Farmer” Tom Knight (sadly now deceased) for his generous donation towards the recent work carried out. He always maintained that our playing surface was too rocky.

Players celebrated the mounting of a plaque (provided kindly by Lee Redshaw) to commemorate Tom, his cheeky smile, his enthusiasm and his great sense of humour .

Jacques Lacey


Petanque
Petanque

Bus Services – Update

buses

Cropwell Bishop has a good daytime bus service into Bingham (the 833) running every hour from Church Street.

The ‘33’ service, with its electric vehicles, provides a reasonable journey to Radcliffe (from Church St) and to Nottingham (from Hoe View Road) travelling via Cotgrave, Morrisons, and West Bridgford, but at the rather confusing interval of 1 hr 10 minutes between buses.
For details, click: Cropwell Bishop Bus Services

A number of residents have commented on the pleasure and convenience of the 90A bus service from Cropwell Bishop offering direct, fast, evening buses and a daytime Sunday service to Nottingham and Bingham.

The 90A service is summarised as follows:-


bus TT


The 90A service, operated by Central Connect, runs between Fernwood, Newark, and Nottingham via Bingham and Cropwell Bishop.
For details of the route and all stops, click: 90A Bus Service Timetable

It is possible to check that your 90A bus is on its way at https://bustimes.org/services/90-newark-nottingham#map
Give it a try, click: 90A Is my bus on its way?

The reliability of our buses seems much improved but if there are any issues please let the Clerk, Janice Towndrow, know via email to clerk@cropwellbishop-pc.gov.uk and she will report them to the operators.

Please use our buses when you can, to help sustain the services into the future.


John Greenwood


Up by the Memorial Hall...

Mem Hall Field

The Memorial Hall Park looks absolutely lush at the moment.

Boules is played twice a week – and the court available at all other times.

There are picnic benches and tables – and exercise and children’s equipment for all ages. Plenty of space for a kick about with a ball

Also, the Kitchen is open for refreshments on Wednesday and Saturday Mornings. Sausage and Bacon cobs, drinks and snacks.

All, up by the Memorial Hall.


Mel Stanley


The Winners

Here are the winners of the race on Sunday (see previous article).


Winner
Georgia Acton of Oxford University who won the female event in 22min 7seconds (a female course record).
Looking amazingly relaxed even though she has just raced up the hill into Harby (4.7miles)
Winner
Will Lowden of Cambridge University who won the male event in 19min 13seconds.
That's 31.2mph!


Tony Jarrow


The Day Went Really Well!

On Sunday, hundreds of young cyclists converged on Cropwell Bishop for the British Universities 10-mile time-trial championships.

They would start at 10am near Small People and finish by the Allotments but during the hours before, all the activity was centered on the Memorial Hall.

By 8am the Nottingham University students had their gazebo in place on the field, and inside the back room of the Hall, the race desk was ready for riders to sign in.


BUCS day
BUCS day

Meanwhile, Memorial Hall helpers had their own gazebo in place and inside the kitchen they were preparing to meet the needs of arriving riders and their helpers.


BUCS day
BUCS day
BUCS day

Meanwhile, out on the road, it was a normal Sunday for numerous local cyclists who love to pedal their way around the Vale of Belvoir. For many, Cropwell Bishop is considered the "entrance to the Vale".


BUCS day

A wonderful day for all: what a difference it makes when the day is warm and sunny!


Tony Jarrow


Enjoying Saturday Cafe Today

Over £60 raised on the Bric-a-Bac stall for the Memorial Hall fund. Bookworms were happy too!
Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.


Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe

Saturday 26th April Means ...

It's the morning Cafe at The Old School this Saturday morning. Of course, it's not just a cafe, there will be books, jigsaws, cards, stationery, bric-a-brac and people.

See the poster on the Events Page for details.

We are all looking foward to seeing you.


Tony Jarrow


Photos from last month:

Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview

Bletchley Welcomes Cropwell Day Trippers

The 49-seater Sharpe's Bus arrived on Church Street at 9.15am this morning – which is just well because a crowd of 'Cropwell Day Trippers' were waiting to go to Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.

Bletchley Park was the popular choice of the Trippers following Hilary Jarrow's 2024 organised trips to Spalding and Stamford.

Bletchley was the home of Britain's code-breakers, including Alan Turing, during the 2nd World War and the Trippers appear to have really enjoyed their day in historic buildings, gardens and sunshine.

Hilary has already canvassed members on where they would like to go to next and, no doubt, she will soon be making her plans. Where will it be, I wonder.

Meanwhile here are some photos from today's Trip.


Tony Jarrow

Bletchley
The bus arrives spot on time

Bletchley
House: headquarters for Turing and colleagues
Bletchley
Office as it was in 1942 (photo: Alan Kirby)
Bletchley
Before the War it was a lovely home
Bletchley
Hilary in the house library: is she contemplating additions to her 'Saturday Cafe Book Exchange'?




Bletchley
Even codebreakers needed time to rest

Cycling Championship in Cropwell Bishop on Sunday

The organisation, British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), promotes events and races for students all over Britain.

This coming Sunday (27th April) BUCS Cycling will hold their 10 mile time-trial championship on a course that starts and finishes in Cropwell Bishop. Over 150 riders will be taking part.


BUCS map

This is the 4th consecutive year that the event has taken place in Cropwell Bishop and the Race Headquarters (and parking) will be on the Memorial Hall Playing Field.

If you are out and about on Sunday, please keep a lookout for cyclists on village roads. No racing will take place within the village but competitors will be riding from the Memorial Hall to the start on Colston Road (near the Small People Nursery).

The finish will be just beyond the top of Fern Road, near the Cropwell Bishop village sign, this side of the Allotments.

Riders will not pause at the finish, they will just pedal slowly to the Memorial Hall Field.

The first rider will start at 10am and the last one will finish at about 1.15pm.

If you are driving along any of the roads on the 10 mile route (see map below) please keep a lookout for these young cyclists.

Keep in mind the new rules applying to the overtaking of cyclists which were introduced in The Highway Code in 2022. Also, be aware that these cyclists will be travelling as fast as any you have seen on roads – up to 35 mph.

And, please avoid travelling in front of them at a similar speed: this would be seen as pacing and could lead to their disqualification.

The weather forecast for Sunday is for a dry day. That's a relief, because on the day of the race last year, it had rained so heavily overnight, that the roads were flooded and the race had to be postponed until the summer!

Once again, the Memorial Hall Committee and Village volunteers will be working hard to leave our visitors with a good impression of Cropwell Bishop – their supply of bacon/sausage/veggie cobs, tea, coffee & cakes should do the trick!


Tony Jarrow



BUCS map

Here are some riders in last year's event.


2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event
2024 event

Easter Hunt and Bric-a-Brac

Thank you to every one who came to The Easter Egg Hunt, and the Bric-a-Brac event.

The events were in support of The Memorial Hall.


Mel Stanley

Bric a Brac
Bric a Brac
Bric a Brac

Bric-a-Brac

Bric a Brac

1 Week to Go

Bric a Brac

Number 33 Shuttle Bus - Disruption ...

Bus not running

Rubbish Beware – Our Pickers Will be There!

Pickers
Pickers

Members of Cropwell Bishop Pickers were out in the sunshine this morning – not sun-bathing but finding and collecting the rubbish that litter louts have thrown to the ground. It's a job that should not have to be done, but the village is thankful they do it.

Thanks to Mel Stanley for the photos.


Tony Jarrow


Saturday's weather forecast is great!

Sat Cafe

.... just right for Hot Cross Buns (and lots more) at tomorrow's Saturday Cafe.

See poster on the Events page

See you there.


Tony Jarrow



Lost it?

Badge

This badge found while dog walking in the village.
Does anyone recognises it?
Of so, please phone: 07778 890139


Velo Belvoir

Following the success of the 2022 and 2023 Velo Belvoir, it will return on Sunday 11th May 2025, with three Cycle Sportives of 30, 60 or 100 miles.

It will have a very well stocked feed station plus a donut stall by Belvoir Castle and a delicious meal at the end. We are registered with British Cycling.

All routes are fully signed and riders are given maps and GPS route files; beautiful routes; all riders welcome; bespoke medal at the end.

For full details and photos from previous events, go to: www.velobelvoir.com
See the poster on the Events page.

This is the 4th Velo Belvoir. All profits will go to Dove Cottage Day Hospice and Cropwell Bishop Friends of School.


Michelle Oldfield


Bric a Brac

Friends of Cropwell Bishop Memorial Hall will be holding a Fund Raising, Bric a Brac event, at The Memorial Hall on Saturday the 19th of April.


Mem Hall

More details will be published in the next edition of Cropwell News.

Meanwhile, if you have one or two quality items you could donate, they can be taken up to the hall any Saturday morning between 10 and 12 o'clock.

Thank you for the donations received so far.

Please, no electricals, clothes or books.

Thank you


Mel Stanley


Road Closures

Closures

Winner of 'It's in the News' Quiz

It was the Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the January edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.

And the winner was .... Alex Truman.

They will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.


Tony Jarrow


Social Meeting and Greeting – beats social media

The Books are ready and the Jigsaws are packed so it must be Saturday café time again.

Saturday Café will, as usual, be open from 10am to 12 noon this Saturday (22nd Feb). See the poster on the Events Page for details.

Please note that Hilary (and her books and jigsaws) will have to leave 15 minutes early this time (11.45am) because of other commitments.

See you there.


Tony Jarrow


Photos from last month:

Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview
Sat Cafe Preview

Above the Bloors Estate – and beyond

Ever wondered what our village looks like to the buzzards and red kites that soar above? Well, until the time comes when those birds take along their own cameras, we can get a good idea from the great photos that Colin Bryan comntinues to provide.


Tony Jarrow


Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes
Bloor homes

An Evening at the Creamery Cafe

Tea Room

Central Green Open Spaces Footpaths

The Parish Council have been trying to get the footpaths that run through the central green open spaces resurfaced since 2022.

At a meeting in July of 2022 with VIA East Midland the conditions of the surfaces were discussed and it was noted: The VIA criteria of 25mm differential for re-surface will never be met when the top coating only appears to be 15mm. It was shown that the main substrate was in better condition that the topping itself, and the VIA engineer was suggesting that the top coating would possibly be better skimmed away and resurfaced onto said substrate.

The Parish Council were told in July of 2022 by VIA that it could not be scheduled into that year’s financial budget but the scheme would be put forward for full consideration in the following year.

The scheme to resurface the area was not included in the 2023/24 budget and the Parish Council therefore asked if it could be included in schemes going forward. The Parish Council received the following response which sadly means no resurfacing works will be taking place in the near or distant future:


“Whilst we would not deny the desirability of acceding to all of the requests for resurfacing that we receive, rather than extending the life of surfaces with discrete repairs, economic considerations make it inevitable that this simply isn't possible. A programme for significant expenditure (e.g.: resurfacing / reconstruction) is established each financial year, with the results of the process being subject to approval by Council Cabinet.

Our scheme selection system involves a ‘candidate list’ of potential sites in all categories, ranging from those requiring full reconstruction to those which can be saved from further damage with preventative maintenance schemes. It is possible that some sites may have had patchwork / pothole repairs over several years in order to maintain safety and whilst they may not be aesthetically pleasing, they are at least fit for purpose from a safety perspective until larger scale resurfacing can be programmed. The candidate list is fluid and ever changing as new schemes are regularly added that may have a higher priority than existing schemes on the list.

I am sorry to advise that the footpaths through the Green in Cropwell Bishop are not in any current programme and the Capital Programme for the next 2 financial years has now been decided. It will however remain on the candidate list and we will continue to closely monitor surface conditions.

I am sorry that I can’t reply more positively at this time”.


The Parish Council will keep pushing for the works to be added to future programmes. We are sorry we cannot bring more positive news.


Janice Towndrow
Parish Clerk


Must We Pick it Up?

Litter
Litter
Litter

Cropwell Bishop Litter Pickers, constantly trying to help protect our struggling small wildlife from the perils of rubbish.


Mel Stanley


Looking Forward to Saturday Cafe

As always, Hilary will have loads of fresh additions on her Books/Jigsaw Exchange stall at this week’s Saturday Café (see Events poster).

In adddition she will have a variety of low priced hand-made gifts for sale. Some (no photo yet) might get you in the mood for February 14th!

See you there.


Tony Jarrow


Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe
Sat Cafe

Winter Quiz

On Friday night another successful quiz night was held at the Old School.

The theme of the quiz was ‘Winter’ (and all things cold!) It was very well attended by around 50 people divided into teams of 5 or 6.

Some quite challenging questions were included but the scores were pretty high with not that many points between the top and bottom teams.

Bespoke trophies were awarded to all members of the top 3 teams in the form of highly prized ‘Cropwell Bishops’ kindly designed and made by Alan and Sharon from the Entertainments committee.

The highly coveted ‘wooden spoon’ was given to the team with the lowest score.



The results were as follows:

1st place and Quiz Champions – ‘The January Clues’

2nd place – ‘Abel Seafish’

3rd place – ‘The 6 Pies’

Wooden Spoon to the aptly named ‘No Hopers’

And finally a quote from a team member who doesn’t live in the village but came along with a friend.

“I love coming to the village for events like these. It’s so nice to see the community coming together enjoying a great evening. Positive, friendly, wholesome and lovely!”

Thanks to everyone who attended and also supported the raffle.


Sue Mellor


Winter Quiz
Winter Quiz
Winter Quiz
Winter Quiz
Winter Quiz

Winner of 'It's in the News' Quiz

It was the Parish Council Meeting this evening. The winner of the 'In the News' Quiz, which appeared in the November edition Cropwell Bishop News, was drawn from the pile of correct entries.

And the winner was .... Pauline Chambers.

She will receive a £20 voucher, donated by the Parish Council, for use at Gary Jowett's Butchers.


Tony Jarrow


100: A Happy Very Birthday Ruth

Ruth
Mayor of Rushcliffe Cllr Andy Brown and consort Sylvia Brown present flowers to Ruth – on the right
(photo from Rushcliffe Newsletter)

Our Mayor of Rushcliffe Cllr Andy Brown and consort Sylvia Brown were proud to visit and present flowers to one of Cropwell Bishop's centenarians.

Ruth, who celebrated her 100th birthday last week, has spent her whole life in Rushcliffe.

The photo above includes her sister, Agnes, with whom she shares a house in the village. Agnes has seen this all before: she was 100 just over a year ago!


Ruth, with the previous Mayor Cllr Debbie Mason in May 2023, when her sister celebrated her 100th Birthday.