Our village is to feature on national television again this week thanks to Glaswegian comedian Susan Calman.
For the second episode of her seventh series of ‘Grand Day Out’ on Channel Five, Susan hits the road to Nottinghamshire – including a visit to Ruddington’s increasingly famous Framework Knitters’ Museum. Amongst other things, she’s taught how to knit on one of the Griswold circular knitting machines.
Although filming for this episode happened in April, those at the Chapel Street tourist attraction have been sworn to secrecy until now. Even Susan’s rather recognisable vintage campervan ‘Helen Mirren’, initially parked on Vicarage Lane whilst they filmed Ruddington Yarn Ninjas’ postbox topper, and then on Church Street outside the Co-op, didn’t seem to give the game away!?
The museum’s Creative and Commercial Manager, Sarah Godfrey, reveals: “Our volunteers were very excited to welcome Susan. She was very nice, very funny and they all enjoyed themselves.”
Sarah also has another exclusive revelation for RUDDINGTON.info readers – that she’s leaving her job at the end of this month to take up another post: “I’m really proud of what I have achieved at FWK and Parker’s Yard. My job was to breathe life into this special place and I know with the support of the staff and volunteers we have done just that. I’ve really enjoyed working with all the communities, both locally and internationally – knitting and craft really does bring people together”.
Having spent just over two years in the role, she adds: “Highlights for me have included seeing the volunteers awarded with an MBE in volunteering, designing and installing a new shop and filling it with local and British crafted items and bringing in the cafe to Parker’s, creating new jobs. I’m very happy this TV programme is coming out as I’m leaving. It’s a lovely way to end my time here. I put in a lot of work over a month – their lovely researchers were very thorough! And there were lots of early phone calls!”
You can watch the relevant episode of ‘Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out’ this Thursday night, 11th July, on Channel 5, at 9pm. After that, it will be available on demand via MY5 >>HERE<< for around four years!
{Photos courtesy of the Framework Knitters’ Museum}
