Mummers the word: Traditional Calverton Plough Play to be toured around borough villages next week

A traditional custom which dates back hundreds of years is to be celebrated in villages across Gedling borough next week.

The Calverton Real Ale and Plough Play Preservation Society – or CRAPPPS for short – will be touring their version of the traditional Plough Play in pubs from next Thursday (January 8).

The performance of a Plough play is believed to have started in Nottinghamshire around the 17th century and was organised by ploughmen to mark the start of the agriculture year following Christmas.

The performers, who were often plough boys, entertained audiences in pubs and big houses, as a way of gaining food, money or drink.

The practice was revived in Calverton 42 years ago and it has since gone from strength-to-strength, with proceeds from the performances going to NSPCC. So far the group has raised over £26,000 for the charity.

The play will be taking place on the following dates:

Thursday, January 9, 2020

• Bramley Apple, Southwell – 7:45 pm
• The Reindeer, Southwell – 8:30 pm
• The Final Whistle, Southwell – 9:00 pm

Friday, January 10, 2020

• Admiral Rodney, Calverton – 7:15 pm
• The Green Dragon, Oxton – 7:50 pm
• The Plough, Farnsfield – 8:20 pm
• The Lion, Farnsfield – 8:40 pm
• The Fox and Hounds, Blidworth – 9:15 pm
• Nag’s Head, Woodborough – 9:50 pm
• Four Bells, Woodborough – 10:10 pm

Saturday, January 11, 2020

• Old Volunteer, Caythorpe – 7:20 pm
• World’s End, Lowdham – 8:00 pm
• The Railway, Lowdham – 8:30 pm
• The Ship, Lowdham – 8:50 pm
• Woodlark, Lambley – 9:25 pm
• Cross Keys, Epperstone – 10:00 pm
• Admiral Rodney, Calverton – 10:30 pm

You can find out more details about the performances at the CRAPPPS website here: https://ploughboys.wordpress.com/