A traditional custom which dates back hundreds of years is being celebrated in villages across Gedling borough over the next few days.
The Calverton Plough Play is performed each January in Calverton and its surrounding villages by the Calverton Real Ale and Plough Play Preservation Society (affectionately known as CRAPPPS).
The Society was formed in the Autumn of 1978 and was made up of members of the Calverton Theatre Group.
The 2023 tour will see CRAPPS undertake their 45th consecutive year of Plough Play performances. The first ever run took place in 1979, raising more than £30k for Nottinghamshire NSPCC in the process.
A quote from a letter of 12 January 1979 to the local bars read :
‘Many thanks for allowing members of the Calverton Theatre Group to perform the Plough Play in your bars last weekend. Our total collection for the eight pubs was £64.33. We have donated this money to the Nottingham branch of the National Children’s Home.
Yours sincerely, John Calvert’
The origins of Plough Plays stretch back hundreds of years. Only a fragment remains of the original Calverton script so the version currently performed combines text from various other Nottinghamshire scripts (though mainly from the Cropwell version).
If you are in any of the following venues between the 12 – 14 January, be prepared to witness one of Nottingham’s oldest and most respected respected folk traditions that is based upon a script dating back to 1890.
Thursday 12th January 2023
- Robin Hood and Little John, Arnold – 7.30 pm
Friday 13th January 2023
- Nag’s Head, Woodborough – 9.30 pm
- Four Bells, Woodborough – 10.00 pm
Saturday 14th January 2023
- Woodlark, Lambley – 9.00 pm
- Admiral Rodney, Calverton – 10.00 pm
Proceeds, as ever, will go to Nottinghamshire NSPCC.
Content courtesy of Calverton Real Ale & Plough Play Preservation Society – Further details can be accessed on their website at: https://ploughboys.wordpress.com/
