Category: Events

Ruddington Christmas Lights Trail

Graham Wright

In the midst of a second Coronavirus ‘lockdown’ it does seem many villagers are putting up their Christmas decorations rather early this year. If you’ve already trimmed up around the outside of your house – or plan to do so quite soon – The Friends of James Peacock School would love to hear from you right now! They’re calling on all residents who wish to get into the festive spirit to take part in the ‘Ruddington Christmas Lights Trail’. Sarah Beardsley says: “Friends of James Peacock School would like to…

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Final Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Launched

Graham Wright

Since our Ruddington Village Plan was published in the summer of 2017 another hard working group of volunteers has been taking things a stage further with a Ruddington Neighbourhood Plan (RNP) to give our local community additional influence on how the village should grow and develop in the future. Backed by Ruddington Parish Council this type of plan has more ‘teeth’ than its predecessor in determining planning policy and outcomes – such as where we’d prefer new homes, shops and offices to be built. It’s also allowed villagers to have our say on what these new buildings should…

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‘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…

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Second National ‘Lockdown’ Confirmed

Graham Wright

All non-essential retailers and hospitality businesses in Ruddington will be forced to close again this week if plans revealed by the Prime Minister today receive parliamentary backing. With trick-or-treating already off the agenda for tonight, Boris Johnson’s Hallowe’en announcement is a scary warning that even more urgent action is required to stem the alarming second surge of COVID-19 infections in England. It follows stricter measures already announced in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Mr Johnson was joined by England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty and the government’s chief scientific adviser…

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Hallowe’en Fun in Ruddington

Graham Wright

Do you realise it’s now a year since Ruddington’s Co-op was officially relaunched by village schoolchildren wearing spooky, Hallowe’en attire, following its extensive refurbishment? Whilst such public gatherings are not being encouraged during these strange, COVID-19 times, the Church Street store is marking the milestone with a challenge local youngsters can complete on their own or with their families. Gwen Eyre, Co-op Member Pioneer for Ruddington says: “To celebrate the first anniversary of the restyled Co-op store here in Ruddington we are holding a Hallowe’en competition. We are inviting EVERYONE…

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‘Light Up Ruddington’

Graham Wright

Churches in our village have got together to suggest a rather less scary and more positive alternative for householders than celebrating Hallowe’en this year. Instead, ‘Light Up Ruddington’ has been launched by Mark Holden, who’s the Children, Families & Youth Leader at the Baptist Church: “After a member of our church saw this project being run in Loughborough – which they called ‘Streets of Light’ we thought we could do it here in Ruddington” explains Mark. “The idea is that as we are surrounded by so much negative news, worry…

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‘Fiver Fest’ Returns to Ruddington

Graham Wright

Once again traders in Ruddington are joining in with ‘The Totally Locally Fiver Fest’. It’s a national celebration of small businesses and shops which runs for a fortnight from today (Saturday October 10th) until October 24th. Being part of this UK-wide initiative was suggested to fellow traders in February this year by The Bottle Top‘s Alex Preston, who is also part of the award-winning Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) team.  As numerous independent retailers in the village got involved first time, she decided to also co-ordinate a second one for…

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Ruddington Rainbows’ Olivia Challenge

Graham Wright

Parents will have an extra way to keep their children amused whilst shopping in Ruddington over the Autumn Half Term holidays – spotting dozens of “Olivias” displayed at our village retailers! The decorated cardboard dolls are being created by around 25 Girl Guides, aged 5 to 7, who are all members of our two Ruddington “Rainbows” Groups. In case you don’t know, Olivia is a character featured in various Rainbows booklets who was named after Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the wife of Lord Baden-Powell (the founder of the Scouts). Ruddington Rainbow Leader, Heidi…

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‘Help My Street’ Reaches Ruddington

Graham Wright

A new online platform – which aims to make both becoming a volunteer and requesting help in Ruddington a simple, safe and effective process – is being launched this weekend. Although Help My Street is a national, not-for-profit Community Interest Company, the team who mobilised volunteers in our village to help our vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ has worked alongside Ruddington Parish Council to develop a dedicated Ruddington homepage – the first village in Nottinghamshire to have one. This will allow people from our community to register to help others in…

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Ruddington’s Ready for Track and Trace!

Graham Wright

As new government Coronavirus restrictions begin today – in a bid to prevent a major second wave of COVID-19 infections – village businesses owners say they’re all set for the new rules aimed at keeping their customers safe. These extra laws are especially relevant to Ruddington’s pubs, cafés, bars and restaurants which must now close by 10pm. Not only that, those serving alcohol will also be restricted to providing table service only – whilst, for all hospitality venues, face masks will be compulsory for bar staff, waiters and non-seated customers.…

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