Easter will be a busy time at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum with events for villagers and visitors of all ages.
This year it’s supporting Knit for Peace by using its historic, Griswold circular knitting machines to knit strips to be sewn into blankets – and is inviting anyone to have a try. Museum assistant Helen Brownett says: “Do come along and join us on any of the Easter weekend days, from Friday 19th April to Monday 21st April, 11-4 to get involved. You can knit on the machines; you can sew the blankets; you can make pompoms. It’s suitable for all ages. There will be refreshments in the Chapel and anyone who contributes to knitting/sewing effort will receive an Easter egg!” Usual admission prices will apply.
Before that, children are being invited to be part of its ‘Griswold Gang’! Each craft session has a different theme, so there’s something new to try and enjoy each time you visit. Simpler activities, such as colouring-in, are always available for for the little ones. Sessions take place on Thursdays the 11th and 18th of April, between 11am and 3pm, and you can drop in at any point between these times. There are more details >>HERE<<.
Also on Thursday 11th April between 11am and 4.30pm there’s a ‘Behind the Scenes’ experience – where older visitors can turn up to have a go at some traditional spring tasks as the museum gears up for the Easter period.
New curator Jim Grevatte, who took over in December, explains: “We’ll be planting a traditional cottage garden with vegetables and flowers for eating and dyeing. Families can get creative and use our antique machines to create a knitted scarecrow together or a bug hotel to take home. There’ll be spring cleaning in the cottages and the chance to explore the collection and choose an object for display. You can even try your hand at knitting on our antique knitting frames!”
It’s certainly an exciting time at the museum as the staff and volunteers prepare for their major Heritage Lottery funded expansion project.
“There are many opportunities to get involved and help make this already special place even better” says Jim. “Come along to see what a difference you can make. When it comes to volunteering with us, flexibility is the name of the game. We’re not asking you to commit to regular hours or days, every week or month. It’s completely up to you when and how you help us! From helping with our annual clean-up and conservation works to cataloguing the books and videos in our library, to creating striking social media posts and blogs… there’s so much more to volunteering than you might think! We’re especially interested in hearing from people who’d like to get involved in our educational and outreach activities with local schools and vulnerable groups. But whatever your interests and abilities, we’re sure to have an opportunity to suit.”
Jim Adds: “Best of all, you’ll have the chance to make new friends, spend time at our wonderful museum site and learn new skills. (How would you like to learn how to use and maintain a historic knitting frame or circular knitting machine?) Yes, we’ll ask for your time and effort – when you’re free to give it – but you’ll get so much back in return, including help and support from our team if you need it.”
To find out more about volunteering at Ruddington’s historic museum you can just go along on Thursday 11th April, call the museum on 0115 984 6914 or email jim.grevatte@frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.
