Volunteers Needed for Expanded Museum

As Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum on Chapel Street moves towards re-opening in October, it’s looking for new volunteers. Jan Perret writes… If you are local to Ruddington, you will probably have noticed that the museum has been undergoing extensive building work over the last few months, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and FCC Communities Foundation. This money has allowed us to create a new entrance, reception, shop and cafe in the old ‘Gunn Cottage’ and this means we have more opportunities for you to be involved…

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There’s Movement at the Methodists’

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…

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Village Gin Makers Achieve National Awards Shortlist

Ruddington based artisan gin maker, The Ruddy Fine Distillery, has been shortlisted amongst major drink brands for its locally foraged ‘Lockdown Gin’ at The Grocer New Product Awards 2021. Widely regarded as the number one event of its kind for food and drink, these awards recognise and applaud extraordinary innovation across the UK’s FMCG sector. Previous finalists in the same ‘Alcoholic Drinks’ category have included nationwide brands such as Sipsmiths Gin and Westons Cider. As usual, the food and drink products at The Grocer New Product Awards were judged and scored…

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New Community Centre Designs Unveiled

It’s being reported there’s been an overwhelmingly positive response so far to plans by Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) for its proposed community facilities behind The Green. Its decision to demolish the existing building and build a brand new community centre for our village followed an online survey the Council carried out late last year.  Nevertheless, RPC had hoped that the present premises (opened only in 1983) might be brought back into use temporarily whilst funding was sought for the new building. Unfortunately, it reports this has not proved to be a viable option. This is…

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August RuddFest Confirmed

Ruddington’s much loved annual Beer and Cider Festival, which was cancelled completely in 2020 due to COVID-19, will go ahead this year – at the end of this month! In February, a decision was made to push back further the 3rd-6th June dates originally considered for RuddFest 2021 because some Coronavirus restrictions in England would still be in force. Organisers have now confirmed it’s taking place in our village from Thursday 26th August to Sunday 29th August – less than three weeks’ away. Once again the main organisers are The Three Crowns, The White Horse Inn…

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Face-to-Face U3A Meetings Resume

Like everything else involving close human contact, the diverse range of Ruddington & District U3A meetings – which was continuing to expand since the local group established itself in 2018 – came to an abrupt halt early last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Although a few online village meetings and talks have taken place on Zoom since then, only following the latest “full” easing of COVID-19 restrictions have local U3A organisers decided to start getting people together in person again. U3A is short for The University of the Third…

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Makers’ Night is Back

Almost two years after the last Ruddington Makers’ Night, in December 2019, this much loved arts and crafts evening across our village is set to return this September. With the easing of restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic – which had caused Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) to cancel its last three planned Makers’ Nights on public safety grounds – this gathering of creatives will go ahead on Friday 10th September 2021 assuming all goes to plan regarding COVID-19. Organised by RVCP in collaboration with the Framework Knitters’ Museum and the new Debbie…

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Rushcliffe’s 5k Parkrun Returns

Ruddington welcomed the return of its weekly 5k Parkrun for adults this morning (Saturday 24th July) after an unprecedented sixteen month gap. It was suspended back in March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic so participants today were clearly keen to get their running shoes and high-vis back on! Whilst Rushcliffe Junior Parkrun had already resumed on Sunday mornings, for 4 to 10 year-olds, in April, Parkrun UK decided to wait for a further lifting of Coronavirus restrictions before restarting the timed run for the grown-ups on Saturday mornings. Both events remain FREE to…

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Cash Help at The Hermitage

Whilst most of the remaining Coronavirus restrictions in our village were eased this week (July 19th) the loss of income these have inflicted on many Ruddington families over the past sixteen months will continue to be felt for some time yet. To help residents avoid the post-COVID economic chill, St Peter’s Church is to run FREE sessions to help local people get on top of their household finances. Members of St Peter’s decided they wanted to help their local community to best handle the changing economic climate, so underwent specialised training…

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Record Breaking Train Reaches Ruddington

In October 2019 RUDDINGTON.info reported that two former Midland Mainline Inter-City 125 Powercars would be coming to GCRN – Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on a permanent basis thanks to leasing company Porterbrook. As planned, high speed trains 43048 and 43089 were both duly handed over The 125 Group at the end of their careers with East Midlands Trains to be based in Ruddington – with the intention of running passenger trips between the Heritage Centre and Loughborough (eventually to Leicester North). We understand they are still in storage. Meantime, their eventual arrival here has been trumped…

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