Stay Off the Tracks!

Managers at Ruddington’s heritage railway centre have issued a trespass warning – after reports that a number of people have been walking along their tracks between here and East Leake. It seems the problem started as villagers sought out longer, ‘socially distanced’ walks when exercise restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak were eased. It also appears to have been exacerbated by an online video blog recommending this activity – for which the blogger has since apologised. It’s clear that she, and others taking to the empty tracks, didn’t…

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Country Park Partial Reopening

As Government ‘lockdown’ restrictions are eased a little, Rushcliffe Borough Council has announced the reopening of some car parks at its open spaces, tennis courts and skate parks. These include a limited number of facilities at Ruddington’s Country Park – which were closed in March due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. The Authority says risk assessments have been completed with its teams and third parties to ensure all can be accessed in line with government advice. However visitors are asked to ensure social distancing of two metres is maintained at…

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Ruddington Photographer’s Lockdown Legacy

A Ruddington based photographer has launched a unique doorstep project which aims to capture the community spirit of our village during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. ‘Portraits Of This Time: Faces of Lockdown’ is an expanding portfolio of images taken by Peter McConnochie (pictured above on his own doorstep), who’s known professionally as Urban Scot Photography. He has already begun documenting these unprecedented times along the numerous residential streets of our substantial South Nottinghamshire village. “When the lockdown measures were introduced I was unable to get out and create street portraits or…

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Ruddington Receives £5,000 of Emergency Funding

Volunteers in Ruddington are celebrating securing a slice of the Nottinghamshire County Council cash which has been allocated to help support communities during the COVID-19 crisis. The first round of County Council funding – so far worth more than £260,000 overall – has just been awarded to 85 groups helping vulnerable Nottinghamshire residents through the Coronavirus pandemic. £5,000 from that pot is coming to our village. ‘The Nottinghamshire £1m Community Fund’ forms part of the Council’s response to provide advice and support for communities during the unprecedented outbreak. Eligible groups can each apply…

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Don’t Weep For Our Willow

When storm Ciara battered Ruddington in early February, for many villagers one of the most upsetting bits of damage it caused was to the large old Willow tree on The Green. Despite a lack of leaves at the time, one of its main branches was unable to withstand the gale force winds and came crashing to the ground. Subsequently, Ruddington Parish Council discovered the ageing Willow had become quite badly diseased, and took the difficult decision to remove the much loved tree altogether. Thankfully, before that happened, quick thinking Ruddington…

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Local Policing During COVID-19

There is no doubt these are challenging times for policing Ruddington’s streets – in unprecedented circumstances – because of the UK Government’s Coronavirus ‘lockdown’ which began three weeks’ ago. Officers have to decide what is reasonable and unreasonable behaviour with regard to villagers heading out ONLY for brief daily exercise, travel to their work, essential shopping or medical needs – whilst also enforcing the two metre ‘social distancing’ rule if necessary. Persuasion rather than issuing fines has been the general approach so far. Inspector Craig Berry of Rushcliffe Police (pictured top),…

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Easter in Ruddington – Exercise, Shopping & Services

As the unprecedented lockdown continues across the UK, to try to halt the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, this year’s Easter activities and celebrations in Ruddington will be mainly confined to people’s homes plus short trips out for exercise or essential shopping. Whilst we can visit Rushcliffe Country Park and other village open spaces for our permitted daily walk, run or cycle, we must observe ‘social distancing’ of at least two metres from others whilst doing so. Picnics are not permitted. Also please remember that play areas and other Ruddington outdoor exercise equipment…

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First Rainbows – Now Scarecrows!

In the past couple of weeks, rainbows have been appearing in house windows all around Ruddington as ‘a sign of hope’ for patients and staff in hospitals across the country. During the Coronavirus pandemic they’ve also become a powerful symbol for people wanting to show solidarity with – and support for – the many valued NHS workers on the front line. Residents at one house along Brookside Road have even painted a giant rainbow on their garage door (above) to make sure it couldn’t be missed! If you’ve children at home…

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Play Area Virus Danger

With another spell of fine weather forecast, Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) is reminding parents and guardians that ALL its play areas are CLOSED until further notice due to the Coronavirus lockdown. These are at Elms Park, Sellors’ Playing Field (above), Vicarage Lane Playing Field (below) and St Mary’s Community Park. Although taking your kids out for daily exercise is encouraged, RPC says: “There have been reports that parents are allowing their children to play on the equipment and play areas. Please can everyone observe social distancing.” In fairness, there is currently a distinct lack…

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Please Keep Your Social Distance!

When socialising, handshakes and friendly hugs are such a normal part of most Ruddingtonians’ lives, the seismic shift required in most aspects of our daily behaviour during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic is certainly creating some challenges. Until a few weeks’ ago no one even knew what ‘social distancing’ was, yet humans across the planet are now being required to do it – to minimise the risk of them becoming infected or infecting others. The seriousness of the situation was reflected in Boris Johnson’s shutdown – then lockdown – of our everyday…

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