With surprisingly little ‘fanfare’ this year, Ruddington’s much loved annual beer, cider, gin, food and music festival is back – running from today (Thursday 9th) until Sunday (12th June 2022), starting each day at noon.
The popular, four-day, village event usually takes place each year following the second Bank Holiday in May. However, in 2020 ‘RuddFest’ was cancelled altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then delayed by the Coronavirus until August last year. Now, in 2022, it’s very nearly on schedule again – just a week later because of last weekend’s ‘Platinum Jubilee’ celebrations moving the Bank Holiday.
As usual, the free-to-enter event is centred around the main marquee on The Green but, like last year, The Frame Breakers, White Horse and Red Lion pubs are also joining in with Ruddington’s long weekend of festivities. Between the four sites there are over 100 Cask Ales, 50 ciders, lagers, wine, prosecco and spirits. There are food vendors, ‘live’ music acts and family-friendly attractions, too.
Main organiser, John Noble, who now runs The Frame Breakers pub as well as The Three Crowns, says the Jubilee delay could well turn out to be in RuddFest‘s favour: “It looks like we’ve got the sunshine whereas they didn’t!” he smiles. “After the ‘lockdown’ period and COVID everyone’s ready for a good beer festival now.”
It’s certainly been a hectic run-up to ‘RuddFest’ this year for John, due to him making humanitarian trips to Ukraine with Frame Breakers’ manager Dave. In fact, they’re continuing their fundraising this weekend: “We’re hoping everyone that decides to return their glass for the deposit back will give the money to the Ukraine, in our collection buckets, and not take the deposit back. Well, that’s the hope, anyway!”
Dave adds: “Ruddington is a fantastic village, with loads of great businesses, so it gives people from the surrounding area the chance to come in, see what we’ve got and see what we do. We’re hoping everyone has a happy RuddFest!”
Andy Hunt from The White Horse Inn is looking forward to continuing to make good use of the ‘live’ music stage he set up there last weekend: “We’ve got a VIP area which is new this year – offering 36 bookable spaces for Ruddfest. Fingers crossed it looks perfect weather – because you don’t want it too hot, and you don’t want it wet – so it’s looking like the Gods are on our side.”
Gareth McManus has illuminated the exterior of The Red Lion especially for ‘RuddFest’ and says: “The Beer garden and outside bar are looking lovely with the lights on. Can’t wait for the weekend!”
Organisers ask you to drink responsibly – and visit RuddFest using public transport, if at all possible. “Parking is very limited in Ruddington so please avoid this option if you can – as you may be disappointed when you find no spaces available” warns John.
CT4N Services 22 & 23, Nottingham City Transport’s Navy 3 & Green 10C/10X and the NottsBus Connect Service 863 all serve The Green. Moreover, users of the Green 10 can benefit from a single evening fair reduced to only £1 after 7.00pm each day during June and July, too.
Have a #RuddyGoodDayOut!
