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 remain closed until further notice because of the danger of passing on the virus to others via the apparatus.
For shoppers, our Sainsbury’s Local on Dutton’s Hill will be open every day 7am to 11pm – with outdoor queuing and two metre separation measures in force to protect customers and staff – whilst our Co-op continues to open on reduced hours, 7am to 8pm, but will be shut (as usual) on Easter Day.
Shane Ginty of Ruddington Village Butchers – who was originally due to close his shop for good after this Saturday (11th April) – has confirmed he will now continue trading during the pandemic, following an upturn in business. He will be closed on Easter Day and Easter Monday but back open again on Tuesday April 14th.
Anthony & Alex Preston at Ruddington’s The Bottle Top have also played a vital role serving village shoppers with hard to find foods during the pandemic – adding eggs, bread and flour to the list of products you can pre-order – alongside pantry staples to weigh into your own containers, hand wash and other refills, AND – of course – vital lockdown beer, cider and spirit supplies! They’re continuing to open 10am until 3pm – except Easter Day and Easter Monday – primarily for collection of pre-ordered goods. You can place an order by texting or phoning 07946 190499, emailing thebottletopnotts@outlook.com, or contacting them via social media.
Other Ruddington businesses that have been closed since the lockdown, but have reopened temporarily this Easter to serve residents on a takeaway or delivery basis, include Three Spices, The Black Cat Cafe, Jasper’s Cafe and Phoenix Flowers. So please click on the links and give them your support!
We’re also pleased to reported that Simon and Helen have reopened Perkins Hardware as of Saturday 11th April from 9am to 1pm on Mondays to Saturdays – but they will be closed on Easter Monday, so will be back again from Tuesday 14th April.
There’s news of other village traders still at your service >>HERE<<.
One Ruddington business whose door is shut until after the pandemic is Thomas James Estate Agents on High Street. However, the company is running a special, free-to-enter, online version of its famous DOOR GAME over Easter – with prizes for either children or adults to be won IF you can unlock it?! You can take part >>HERE<<.
To help us remember the true meaning of Easter, whilst their places of worship are closed, two of our village Churches are providing ‘virtual’ services instead over this long weekend so we can participate whilst continuing to stay at home to protect ourselves and others.
For St Peter’s Church, Rev Andrew Buchanan is posting ‘Easter Video Talks’ on its Facebook Page – and you can view his ‘Good Friday Reflection’ below.
As previously reported, Ruddington Baptist Church has moved its worship online – with a host of group activities listed over the Easter period via Zoom and YouTube which villagers can log into and join in with…
You can watch Sam Hackett’s Easter Day service >>HERE<<.
For families looking for things you can safely do at home with the kids, perhaps you could dig out some old clothes, stockings and newspapers and join the latest Ruddington trend to “frighten off” COVID-19 Coronavirus by making a scarecrow to guard your house?! You might get some inspiration from these not very scary characters which have already appeared on Old Road…
Although there is no Government advice or legislation against it, one Ruddington resident is asking people to be considerate before lighting garden fires, using fire pits or (to a lesser extent) having BBQs this weekend which could adversely affect their neighbours. Tahmina Tinsley says: “There might be people with COVID-19 in the village who are perhaps having respiratory issues already without adding smoke to the problem. Also for those of us shielding due to respiratory diseases such as severe asthma or COPD being able to open windows or use gardens is the only access to the outside we have and will not only help people’s mental wellbeing but also help keep them healthy and out of the hospitals. The fire in the village this week will have affected many of us already.”
Finally, if you do need to make an essential bus journey, Nottingham City Transport’s Green 10 Service is continuing to operate to and from Ruddington every day over Easter to the special timetable >>HERE<<. If not, please #StayAtHome and have a #RuddyGoodDayIn!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter from RUDDINGTON.info!
