AN ANCIENT tradition dating back through the centuries and heralding the beginning of the ploughing season has been celebrated at a pub-restaurant in Brinsley.
Members of the Calverton Real Ale and Plough Play Preservation Society (CRAPPPS) "invaded" the Yew Tree Inn in Cordy Lane, delighting customers with their antics while staging a home-grown version of the plough-play.
At the invitation of John and Sh
eila Cook, mine hosts of the Yew Tree, the group of travelling players served up a cocktail of music, fun, boisterous singing and ham acting, which went down a treat with appreciative regulars.
Among the colourful characters involved in the Plough Play presentation were Bold Tom (Barry Nyblen), Dame Jane (Tony Kirkham), the Lady Bright and Gay (Andy Ball), Recruiting Sergeant (John Throup), Sankey Benny (Paul Howard), The Doctor (John Crawford) and Beelzebub (Paul Prior).
Since the CRAPPPS group´s formation around 25-years ago it has raised in excess of £10,000 for the NSPCC charity, and from 16 performances of the Plough Play at local hostelries in 2002 they fully expect to boost that total by more than £500.
Generous customers at the Yew Tree and Mr and Mrs Cook dug deep raising more than £50 for the cause.
"It is the second year running that the Plough Players have delighted us with their talents and we have had some fun while giving the NSPCCA a boost," said Mr Cook.
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