Welcome to the CROPTON Village Website – 2026
COFFEE MORNING | Village Hall | Tuesday 3 November | 10.30am till noon
Cropton High Street Postcode YO18 8HL
what3words – Village Hall paradise.harmonica.resides
CROPTON is a small village at the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. It offers an excellent base for visiting many of the local attractions. Whitby, Scarborough, Castle Howard and York are all driveable within an hour. Flamingo Land Zoo, Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole village and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are very close by.
On the door step is the popular Great Yorkshire Brewery, where you can do a tour of the brewery and sample of the many excellent ales that are produced on the premises.
Local News
CONKERS EVENING
The Village Hall hosted a second Conkers Evening on Saturday 24th October 2026. The main classic Conker competition was won by Michael Winterbottom and a plate competition was won by Mark Anderson. This year a few more competitions, including Conker Golf, Shove Conker and Conker Crafting, were added. The evening was well organised and excellent refreshments were served. With a good turnout of people it was a very successful fun event. Thanks to all involved.
CEILIDH
On Saturday 19 September 2026 a Ceilidh was held in the Village Hall. An enjoyable evening of live music and dancing. The event raised funds for the friends of the Kirk Theatre in Pickering.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
The annual service of thanksgiving for the harvest was held in St. Gregory’s Church on Sunday 13th September 2025. The service was led by Rev. David Haddon-Reece. Light refreshments were served after the service.
2026 VINTAGE CAR & MOTORCYCLE RALLY
On Sunday 16th August 2026 the village hall hosted their annual get-together of vintage cars and motorcycles. Early rainfall did not stop the owners’ bringing some superb vintage vehicles to the rally. As the weather improved their was a good turnout of spectators.
Delicious food was served in the hall. The bric-a-brac and tombola stalls were well-supported. Many thanks to all involved with the rally. All help is appreciated!
Please take a look at Jane Peacock’s Facebook Video for a look around the vehicles on show. Car Rally 2026 Photos 1 – Car Rally 2026 Photos 2
CHURCH FETE
On Saturday 25th July 2026 St. Gregory’s Church held their summer fete at the village hall. Delicious refreshments were served inside the hall and stalls, includes bric-a-brac, tombola, plant and cake stalls helped to raise funds for the church. Outside in the village hall grounds a dog show competition for ‘the best six legs’ was judged by Claire Klima. The winner was Cornelia and Otto the dog. A little more fun was had with a ‘catch the sausage’ competition, won by Diana and Cedric the dog. Cedric the spaniel is very well trained – please take a look at this Facebook video. Many thanks for all contributions to the fete and to all the volunteers that helped. A total of £794 was raised.
VILLAGE BARBECUE
The village hall trustees hosted a summer barbecue for village residents on Saturday 18th July 2026. The barbecue was a thank you to all that have supported the events throughout the year. There was a good turnout and some lovely well-presented food was available. Thanks to all the helpers for an enjoyable afternoon!
CYCLING CHALLENGE
Chris Hammond has completed a sponsored cycling challenge in aid of Prostate Cancer Research. This involved completing 300 miles of cycling in the month of June. £825 has currently been raised (over £1,000 with Gift Aid included). Can you help Chris reach £1,000 sponsorship? Please visit JustGiving to help.
CEILIDH NIGHT
On Saturday 6th June 2026 a Ceilidh was held in the village hall. A fun evening for all participants!
SPRING PEACOCK QUIZ
The ever popular Spring Peacock Quiz was held in the village hall on Friday 10th April 2026. Very tasty quiches and meat pies from Auntie Anne’s bakery (Helmsley) were served before the testing quiz, for some, commenced. Thanks to all who made contributions, especially Richard, to an enjoyable evening. All the money raised by the quiz entries and raffle was for village hall funds.
THE WALL PAINTINGS OF PICKERING CHURCH
On Thursday 2nd April 2026 the village hall hosted a fascinating illustrated talk by Professor Kate Giles about the unique history of the wall paintings in Pickering Church. Dating back many centuries the paintings were uncovered in the 1850’s and were subject to much controversy as to their merits. They were eventually preserved and provide a unique feature now for visitors to the church. You can learn more by reading The Wall Paintings of Pickering Church: Their Discovery, Restoration and Meaning by Professor Kate Giles.
HISTORY OF PICKERING
An interesting presentation about the history of Pickering was given by John Kinghorn at the village hall on Thursday 12th February 2026. John, who is associated with the Beck Isle Museum, gave an engaging talk which featured a film of a guided walk and drone footage over Pickering. With plenty of anecdotes from John it was a most enjoyable evening.
ST. GREGORY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
The annual Christmas carol service took place on Sunday 21st December 2025 at St. Gregory’s Church. Sadly the local ministers were unable to attend but Moira Mottram ably stood in to direct the service.
There were a number of seasonal readings and we sang the usual well-known Christmas carols. The church was beautifully decorated, especially the Christmas tree which was filled with hand crafted creations and looked lovely. The carol service was very well attended and ample refreshments were served afterwards.
RYEDALE LIONS ‘SANTA VISIT’
A bright and cheerful Santa made his annual visit to Cropton on Wednesday 10th December 2025. This year he was accompanied by numerous little elf helpers who were collecting money for Ryedale Lions. All the donations go to good local causes.
Seeing Santa is always a lovely way to celebrate the Christmas festivities in the village!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & PEACOCK QUIZ
The ‘Christmas Lights’ were switched on at the village hall on Friday 5th December 2025. Afterwards, mulled wine and a pie and peas supper was served. The Christmas ‘Peacock Quiz’ followed the refreshments. The quiz had a ‘Saints & Sinners’ theme and numerous guests came in appropriate fancy dress. As always it was a most enjoyable evening. Thanks to all who helped with the event.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING
On Saturday 15th November 2025 a ‘Christmas Coffee Morning” was held in the village hall. Refreshments were served in the hall. Bric-a-brac, craft and tombola stalls all helped raise proceeds of £440 in aid of St Gregory’s Church roof repair fund. Many thanks to all involved with the coffee morning.
POPPY REMEMBRANCE DISPLAY
There has been a fabulous ‘Poppy Remembrance Display’ near the village Chestnut Tree. A number of people have been able to remember family members, that were involved in the military, with a small wooden cross placed on the green near the Chestnut Tree. Combined with some knitted and crocheted poppies it amounts to a fine display of remembrance. Thanks to all that have contributed.
RAF FYLINGDALES TALK
The village hall hosted a talk about the RAF Fylingdales Early Warning System on Thursday 30th October 2025. It provided an insight in the immense capabilities of this well-known structure on the North Yorkshire Moors.
CONKER CHAMPIONSHIP
On Saturday 25th October 2025 the first ‘Cropton Conker Championship’ was held in the village hall. Thirty two participants took part in a straight knockout basis. The eventual winner was Marian Farrow and the runner-up was Liz Rowley.
Committee member, Lysa Hammond, presented the trophy (made by Richard Peacock) to Marian, a worthy winner. Refreshments were served in the hall. The event was an outstanding success, well supported and great fun. £170 was raised for village hall funds. Many thanks to the ‘Conker Committee’ and all helpers.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
The annual service of thanksgiving for the harvest was held in St. Gregory’s Church on Thursday 23rd October 2025. The service was led by Rev. Christine Haddon-Reece. Light refreshments served after the service.
WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY? – A BRIEF ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF CROPTON
There was an interesting talk on Wednesday 8th October 2025 in the village hall. Andrew Burn, our local resident archaeologist, talked about landscape archaeology and the rich archaeological history of our village, followed by a Q&A session. The development of new technology has enabled great advances for identifying ancient settlements in the landscape, including ours in Cropton. There is still much to discover and villagers were asked for help with this ongoing project. The talk was hosted by Cropton W.I. with lovely refreshments available afterwards.
2025 VINTAGE CAR & MOTORCYCLE RALLY
On Sunday 17th August 2025 the annual get-together of vintage cars and motorcycles was held at the village hall field. So many vehicles came this year that we had some cars on display in the main street. The event is extremely well-supported and it helps when the weather is favourable. There was a bric-a-brac and tombola stall in the hall and an outstanding choice of food available for visitors. The numerous volunteers this year did a wonderful job. Over £3,000 was raised for village hall funds. Many thanks to all. Please view a few photos. Car Rally 2025 photos 1 – Car Rally 2025 photos 2.
GLADRAGS AND HANDBAGS
Hosted by Cropton Women’s Institute at the village hall on Saturday 2nd August 2025 there was a sale of nearly new clothes, handbags and fashion accessories. The W.I. were promoting environmentally friendly fashion and a chance of a summer spring clean of wardrobes. It was really well supported with plenty of choice on the clothes rails. In the Barnaby Room there was a craft related sale of craft packs, materials, buttons etc. Refreshments were served in the hall. The event was well attended and a good village get-together.
ANNUAL CHURCH FETE
On Saturday 26th July 2025 the annual Church Fete was held at Cropton Village Hall. Teas and cakes were served inside the hall. Fund raisers included a raffle, tombola and bric-a-brac stalls. Outside on the Coronation Terrace was a dog show competition featuring ‘the dog with the happiest face’. The winner was judged by The Rev. Christine Haddon-Reece. The day was a success and a total of £740 was raised for church funds. A big thank you for all contributions and the many volunteer helpers.
FERNWOOD OPEN GARDEN
Dick Feaster opened his lovely Fernwood Garden on Sunday 29th June 2025. A superb show of flowers and shrubs were on display. There was a plant sale and entry by donation which together raised £1,435 for the York Against Cancer charity. St. Gregory’s Church had a garage sale on-site and served afternoon teas in the village hall which raised a total of £660 for church funds. Dick thanks everyone who helped, attended and contributed to the event.
1940’s THEMED MURDER/MYSTERY NIGHT
There was a night of intrigue and mystery at the village hall on Saturday 17th May 2025. A cold buffet was served before the 1940’s themed murder/mystery was played out by actors. Who could solve the murder from the clues provided?
VE DAY CELEBRATION
The village hall was beautifully decorated for a VE Day Celebration on Saturday 10th May 2025. It was a lovely get-together with an afternoon tea to enjoy for all. Background wartime music was played throughout which added to the atmosphere. Many thanks to all helpers and contributors to the faith tea.
FRAUD PRESENTATION
On Wednesday 9th April 2025 in the village hall the North Yorkshire Police Cyber Crime Unit gave a talk on how to personally stay safe and secure on the internet. A slideshow presentation helped to point out many hints and tips for computer and telephone use. The event was hosted by Cropton Women’s Institute with refreshments served afterwards.
THE PEACOCK QUIZ
The Peacock ‘Doctors and Nurses’ Themed Quiz was held in the village hall on Friday 28th March 2025. Many attendees put on medical costumes to add to the fun, with a good mix of Doctors, Matrons, Nurses and patients. Our quiz master Richard (right) looked like he needed immediate medical attention, but there was plenty of help on hand.
Delicious Auntie Anne’s (Helmsley) Pies, peas, gravy and quiches were served. Our hosts, Richard Peacock and Dick Feaster, were in fine form and we had a lovely evening. The quiz and raffle raised £426 for village hall funds. All help and contributions were appreciated.
GRUBS UP & DARK SKIES RESERVE TALK
We welcomed Mike Hawtin and Holly Ramsden from the North York Moors National Park to the village hall on Wednesday 29th January 2025. Mike Hawtin gave a fascinating presentation about the ongoing journey the National Park are taking to becoming an ‘International Dark Sky Reserve’. Holly Ramsden is involved with setting up the ‘GrubsUp’ pollinator project. With both projects it is surprising that small changes are making a huge overall difference to our environment.
FOODBANK
The Ryedale Foodbank in Pickering does a fantastic job distributing food parcels to locals requiring the service. Food can be donated, in the village, by taking provisions to a collection point in the porch at ‘The Croft’, Main Street. (More information on Ryedale Foodbank).
Next EVENTS in Cropton village – 2026
More information & more details on Coming Events
Tuesday 3 November 2026 – COFFEE MORNING – Village Hall – 10.30am till noon – All are most welcome!
Friday 13 November 2026 – PEACOCK QUIZ – Village Hall – Pie & peas supper followed by quiz – 7pm – Tickets £10 – Contact croptonhall@gmail.com or Telephone 01751 417518.
Friday 13 November to 15 November 2026 – CROPTON BEER FESTIVAL – New Inn, Cropton – Starts 5pm on Friday – Real ales and live music over the weekend.
Saturday 5 December 2026 – BINGO EVENING – Village Hall – Traditional bingo, includes a round of disco bingo – Christmas Lights switch on – Start 7pm.
Contact Cropton Village Hall -> email: croptonhall@gmail.com
COFFEE MORNINGS are held in the village hall on the first Tuesday of the Month (except January) at 10.30 a.m till noon – You are very welcome to come along if you are in the area for coffee, cake and a chat!
The local WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets the second Wednesday in every month. The meetings normally start at 7pm. See the W.I. notice board at the village hall for details or check the 2025 W.I. events here. Visitors and Ladies from outside the village are most welcome to come along to the monthly meets.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
The Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator is Julie Collinson 01751 417607.
BOOK STALL
There is a book stall in the village hall with a good variety of books for sale. Donations of books are always appreciated!
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Find houses for sale in and around the village.
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
A range of self catering holiday cottages and forest lodges are available if you wish to stay in or near Cropton.
