Search Results for: "Nichola Jones"

Methodist Church Closure Threat

Graham Wright

The Minister of Ruddington Methodist Church has confirmed that the future of their historic, village centre building is in doubt due to the rising cost of maintaining it. Reverend Tony Simpson replaced Reverend Nichola Jones as our Methodist Minister in 2023 when she was rather unexpectedly moved to another circuit in Cornwall last July. He also looks after the Methodist Churches in Clifton, Bradmore, Keyworth, and Tollerton, so usually only takes services here in Ruddington around once a month. After Christmas, rumours started circulating that the 150-year-old building on Church Street…

Another Minister on the Move!

Graham Wright

After less than three years in the post, the minister of Ruddington Methodist Church has revealed she’s being moved almost 300 miles to another circuit in Cornwall! Reverend Nichola Jones arrived in Ruddington during the first ‘lockdown’ in September 2020 – to replace Revd Simon Rose as our Methodist Minister – and did expect to be here for the long term. “It was a bit of a shock to be told by the Methodist Church that they needed me elsewhere!” she admits. “We serve ‘under obedience’ and the Church is…

Goodbye Sam…

Graham Wright

One of Ruddington’s best known community figures has revealed he’ll soon be off to pastures new. In July 2014, at the age of just 22, Sam Hackett become the youngest ordained Baptist Minister in England and Wales. He was inducted as the Minister of Ruddington Baptist Church on September 13th 2014. Now, almost nine years later, Sam has decided it’s time for a fresh challenge. “It’s with a mixture of sadness, joy and excitement that I announce that I will be leaving Ruddington Baptist Church this summer to take on…

Christmas 2022 in Ruddington

Graham Wright

After the ‘lockdown’ Christmas of 2020, and the rather restrained festive season of 2021, Ruddington’s celebrations in 2022 look as if they might just be the biggest and best ever! That’s certainly the case for this weekend’s ‘Ruddington Christmas Market’ (on Saturday December 3rd) which, as previously reported, will comprise over a hundred indoor and outdoor stalls of food, drink and gifts, two covered pop-up bars and stages of live music, and children’s activities. Now organised by Ruddington Village Community Partnership (RVCP) it will take place along both High Street and Church Street (road closures…

Countdown to Christmas in Ruddington

Graham Wright

Whilst some of Ruddington’s main Christmas celebrations have already been and gone, residents and visitors can still look forward to more festive fun and activities over the holiday period. Continuing caution about Coronavirus – particularly the new Omicron variant – has led to some organisers and venues asking people to carry out a COVID-19 lateral flow test before mingling with others, and to wear face coverings according to the Government’s new ‘Plan B’ rules. Booking systems have also been introduced in some places to keep down numbers during the busiest…

There’s Movement at the Methodists’

Graham Wright

Following an unprecedented period where there has been a very uncharacteristic lack of activity at the distinctive and historic Church Street building, Ruddington Methodist Church springs back to life this weekend! Of course, like many others in our village, the chapel (dating from 1873) was closed for services and other gatherings in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s just taken a little longer than some to get restarted, now all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Kathy Powis reveals: “After nearly 18 months of complete shut-down or occasional services, we are…

Easter in Ruddington

Graham Wright

Whilst this week’s further easing of Coronavirus restrictions doesn’t yet allow for the reopening of Ruddington’s hospitality venues – or even non-essential retailers – it does mean the true meaning of Easter can be celebrated ‘face to face’ (albeit ‘socially distanced’) at our village churches this year. Minister of Ruddington Methodist Church, Revd Nichola Jones, tells us the traditional building of the ‘Easter Cross’ of flowers in front of their building (pictured above) will be taking place this Saturday (3rd April): “Any gifts of flowers are warmly welcomed from 10am…

‘Lockdown’ Remembrance in Ruddington

Graham Wright

With Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day fast approaching, members of The Royal British Legion, the Parish Council and our Churches in Ruddington say they will still mark these days as best they can – even though the annual commemorations will now fall during the Government’s new, national ‘lockdown’ caused by COVID-19. The worrying resurgence of the potentially deadly Coronavirus means even ‘socially distanced’ services (some of which had resumed at St Peter’s recently) along with any sort of indoor or outdoor gatherings for November 8th or 11th are no longer on…