Cropton News Archive 2025
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.
