After around two thousand people flocked to the inaugural Ruddington Village Market at The White Horse Inn a month ago, organisers are keeping their fingers crossed that this Saturday’s follow-up will be just as popular.
Last time, many visitors continued their “Ruddy Good Day Out” with a stroll down Church Street and High Street to visit our shops and cafés, too. This is exactly what the ‘market’ team from Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP) had hoped would happen when they joined forces with Andy Hunt at the popular village pub to trial this initiative – aiming to increase footfall to our village centre.
You can enjoy this video from the first event, put together in vintage style by Han at picturethis.studio:
RVCP Chairman Mike Ader says he’s very excited about the second Market: “The first was so successful, with residents, visitors, stall holders and village shops all ecstatic about it (Ruddington had never been so busy on a regular Saturday) that RVCP has now announced that the Market will be an ongoing, standing fixture on the first Saturday of every month. This bodes well for the village’s continued vibrancy and sustainability.”
RVCP Treasurer Stella Dickie, who’s leading this project, agrees: “The March market is building on the success of the first market which was a great hit with stallholders and visitors. Crafts are moving into the marquee and due to the overwhelming number of applications we are rotating the stallholders so visitors to the March market will be able to browse jewellery from Charlotte Taylor and hair accessories and children’s clothes from Little Miss Mint Cakes.
“All the fabulous food stalls are returning and in addition we have gourmet brownies from The Beeston Brownie Company. We have reflected on the feedback from the first market and will be selling fruit and veg in smaller units” she says.
The market aims to support a different charity each month and, for March, it’s Ruddington’s The Mustard Seed Project. You’re being encouraged to visit their stall and find out about their amazing achievements helping communities in Uganda. To give extra info on the stalls and offer a little guidance to visitors who’re not familiar with Ruddington, and what there is to do here, veteran radio presenter and RUDDINGTON.info editor Graham Wright will also be there as MC.
Stella emphasises: “The organisers of the market are working really hard not only to make the markets a success but to create a busy village centre and promote all of our local retailers and businesses. After visiting the market we hope people will stay a while in the village, check out our independent shops, visit the museums or settle in one of the fine cafés or pubs for lunch.” You can receive especially good value by showing your Ruddington Loyalty Card to receive March deals and discounts from all the participating traders listed >>HERE<<.
Villagers will soon be getting a ‘bonus’ Market at The White Horse, too! “There’s a new ‘Maker’s Night’ planned on Friday 21st June – with crafts and street food throughout the evening” says Stella.
Meantime, it sounds as if the next Ruddington Village Market at The White Horse between 9.00am and 12.30pm this Saturday, March 2nd, is something you might wish to “hare” along to?! Once again, organisers are encouraging local visitors to stretch their legs and walk or cycle to the market, and for people from outside our village to make use of public transport – such as Nottingham City Transport‘s Navy 3 or Green 10 buses, which both stop right outside. Whilst there will be some parking, it is expected to be busy again on market day.
RVCP Chairman Mike adds: “I want to thank the many volunteers, without whom this fabulous event could not be run.”
With a more ‘usual’ spell of winter weather forecast for this weekend, it’s worth noting that most outside stalls will be under the large marquee so, rain or shine, you should be fine. Please tell all your friends, too – as everyone’s welcome!
