It’s now over a year since Ruddington’s last remaining public telephone box, in front of our War Memorial, was saved for future generations by being put to a completely different use.
Adopted by Ruddington-based charity The Mustard Seed Project (Uganda) for just £1, since being launched in October 2022 {top photos} the kiosk has served as a seed exchange; dubbed ‘The Mustard Seed Box’. With spring now just around the corner, Trustee Clement Dixon thought it would be a good time to remind villagers about this free facility for all who enjoy nurturing both vegetable and flower seeds in window boxes and pots or planting in gardens and allotments.
“By providing this seed library, the Charity aims to create a meaningful focus in the centre of the village which, hopefully, will promote interest in and continuing support for their work” explains Clement. “It is hoped that the sharing of seeds and plant cuttings by children and families will be a reminder that planting and growing is an essential part of life both in Teso and here in the UK.”
He adds: “Please help yourself to a packet of seeds and return any you don’t need. If you have any left over from your own stock, please put them in the seed library where they will be much appreciated and help to keep a plentiful supply for others to enjoy.”
Regular RUDDINGTON.info readers will already know that the Mustard Seed Project (MSP) is a fundraising group set up by former James Peacock Infants School teachers Sally Squires and Jayne Henson, inspired by their visit to the Teso area of Uganda in the summer of 2016. As we’ve documented ever since, incredible progress has been made over the past seven and a half years, all with the invaluable support of children and parents of our Ruddington schools, together with a wide range of village and Rushcliffe folk.
Sally says: “A heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters for making a HUGE difference to the lives of rural Ugandan families in 2023. Whether you attended the fashion show, took part in a sponsored walk, or bought a chicken your efforts have changed lives for the better. We have managed to fund a knitting machine so that impoverished communities can earn funds to send their children to school, provide enough to feed their families, and afford vital medication. The enterprise project are using the machine to knit school jumpers to sell. In other news the football team is growing from strength to strength and the Notts County kit looks as good as new! The sheep gifted to the groups this year are also multiplying quickly and helping to alleviate poverty.”
Sally adds: “In February I’m looking forward to visiting the projects to film a documentary, alongside a team from NTU, that will showcase the success of the projects. We successfully won a grant to film the enterprises.”
It’s also been announced that MSP is holding another of its famous ‘Knickers for Knowledge’ fundraising fashion shows at St Peter’s School on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2024. You can find more details >>HERE<<.
