Category: Museum

Santa’s Seasonal Schedule!

Graham Wright

Of course, the most hectic time of all for Santa Claus is Christmas Eve into Christmas Day morning, when he has to deliver presents all around the world, to every boy and girl who’ve been good, while they’re sleeping. However, it seems Father Christmas is also set to be very busy in the festive period beforehand, with several appearances right here in Ruddington – meaning either you can go along to meet him or that he’ll be paying an early visit to us. First up, although Santa will be coming…

Read More

Get Ready for our Three Day Christmas Market!

Graham Wright

Back in the summer we revealed how the 2023 ‘Ruddington Christmas Market’ would be building  on last year’s hugely popular event by expanding to three days. Now, as this most festive of village events draws near, organisers Ruddington Village Community Partnership (RVCP) are revealing more details about what’s in store this year. RVCP previously announced the dates and times as Thursday 30th November 4pm to 9pm, Friday 1st December 4pm to 9pm and Saturday 2nd December 11am to 5pm – with the final day including additional stalls on High Street and Church Street…

Read More

Milestone Moment for Ruddington’s Railway

Graham Wright

Despite the less than ideal autumn weather, it’s being reported that construction of a brand new building at Ruddington’s heritage railway is proceeding well – with new roof beams recently lifted into place {top photo by Tom Ingall} and the halfway point of the fundraising target now reached. As we reported in the summer, £40,000 was awarded to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) ‘Carriage Shed Project’ from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). This money, combined with match funding from East Midlands Railway Trust and LNER…

Read More

Museum Volunteers’ Accolade from The King!

Graham Wright

It’s been revealed that individuals and groups volunteering at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum (FWK) have been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023. Announced on His Majesty’s 75th Birthday today (14th November 2023), it is the highest Royal accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is equivalent to an MBE. FWK is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive our new King’s first awards this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, aims to remind us about…

Read More

Carriage Shed Takes Shape

Graham Wright

Volunteers at Ruddington’s heritage railway report that work has got underway on schedule to finish building the long-planned covered storage area for its vintage carriages. This will complement the existing locomotive shed and engineering works at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Mere Way. Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) reveals that contractors have been onsite at building number 4, their new ‘Carriage Shed, for about two weeks now. Work completed to date includes the installation of new rear security door, marking out the position of the new steelwork and necessary work…

Read More

‘Framework Church’ Launches

Graham Wright

A less ‘formal’ form of churchgoing is now available in Ruddington thanks to a new initiative hosted at The Framework Knitters’ Museum. Held on alternate Thursdays from 11am in the Old Methodist Chapel, off Parker’s Yard, organisers say everyone’s invited to ‘Framework Church’. The name was chosen because of the meeting location rather than any connection with the venue itself. Jane Gray, of St Peter’s Church, explains: “A steering group of 7 of us have been meeting in the space for about a year, exploring the idea of a church…

Read More

Ruddington Museum Becomes New Travellers’ Choice

Graham Wright

The Framework Knitters’ Museum on Chapel Street has just gained an international accolade – a TripAdvisor ‘Travelers’ Choice Award’ for 2023! Each year the travel comparison website recognises favourite attractions around the world, based on reviews and ratings collected over the past year. These TripAdvisor reviews have elevated our museum into the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide. The preserved Ruddington heritage site one of very few places left in the country where you’ll find the working and living conditions of the once large framework knitting industry. Sarah Godfrey, creative and…

Read More

Cash Boost for Ruddington’s Railway

Graham Wright
The carriage shed interior as it looks now

Volunteers at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Mere Way have revealed one of their projects has been awarded significant grant funding by Rushcliffe Borough Council to help them complete it. The £40,000 being given to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) ‘Carriage Shed Project’ comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) – part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda providing funding for local investment. The money, combined with match funding from East Midlands Railway Trust and LNER (GC) Heritage Trust will allow the already…

Read More

Flowers and ‘Busy Bug Trail’ in Ruddington

Graham Wright

You may already have spotted the new, knitted floral displays adorning parts of our village centre this summer, thanks to the collective creative talents of those ‘Ruddington Yarn Ninjas’. What perhaps you might not realise is that, as well as this latest ‘yarn bomb’, there’s a ‘Busy Bug Trail’ around Ruddington for the kids to follow, too. Ninja Katie Goy explains: “Some of the lovely traders around the village have been visited by our busy bugs this summer. How many can you find and where are they?” “ALSO enter our free prize…

Read More

Ruddington Holiday Fun!

Graham Wright

With the summer school holidays upon us, village families are again on the lookout for things to do locally – especially those with younger children. The good news is that Ruddington has plenty to offer kids who’ll be staying close to home during some or all of the coming weeks. Whilst ‘Ruddington Fun’ called it a day in 2018, in terms of organising its own programme of children’s activities, founder Barbara Breakwell has continued to maintain its popular Facebook page to share news about all manner of events and initiatives organised…

Read More