This Saturday in Nottingham an interesting tercentenary is being celebrated – and Ruddington is playing a pivotal role.
It was back on the 24th of June 1717 that four Freemasons’ lodges in London got together to create the original Grand Lodge. Now, three hundred years on, Nottinghamshire Masons are putting on a ‘Community Fun Day’ in the Old Market Square to mark the milestone. It’s taking place on Saturday the 17th June, between 10am and 5pm and it’s a celebration partly aimed at “demystifying” Freemasonry by letting the public in general know of the many local causes and charities which benefit from their continuous but often little publicised fundraising efforts.
So what exactly are Ruddington’s connections with the Freemasons? There have been quite a few in recent years, including a grant for our local youth football club, Ruddington Colts FC (pictured top), from the Masonic Charitable Fund a few years ago. This enabled them to purchase some large billboards, which make the club more self-sufficient as it can sell advertising space to local businesses. In 2014 and 2015, the Nottinghamshire Mark Masons organised two family fun days at GCR(N) in Ruddington featuring a variety of stalls, activities and entertainments. All proceeds from both these events were donated to local charities. And Ruddington resident Graham Riche organises a popular Valentine’s Lunch every year, which for many years was held at Ruddington Grange Golf Club, in aid of the Masons’ “Teddies for Loving Care” (TLC) initiative. TLC Nottinghamshire provides teddies and other soft toys to our local hospital paediatric A&E departments and wards – bringing comfort to countless local children over the years.
Graham has also been largely responsible for coordinating “Fun for all Ages” – set to be the focal point of the Community Fun Day on the 17th of June. Family-friendly attractions include a fairground with traditional stalls including candyfloss & popcorn, a story teller, street entertainers, Morris men, Thoresby Colliery Band and a graffiti artist. The “Knights of Nottingham” – who you may have seen around Ruddington – will be making an appearance on horseback, complete with full jousting regalia – helping to promote the Nottingham Brewery beer tent!! There’ll also be wine and cocktails, traditional tea & cakes, barista coffee, strawberries & cream, and a selection of Indian, Caribbean & English hot food.
The main stage features live entertainment from local bands, singers and dancers plus interviews with Nottinghamshire sporting personalities – which will be conducted by local radio presenters (and MCs for the day) John Holmes and Ruddington’s own Graham Wright.
The Freemasons’ work in the local community will be showcased by a ‘Charity Village’ featuring several local organisations and charities that have benefited from masonic charitable donations, including Ruddington Village FC. Plus a masonic ‘Big Tent’ will be displaying information about Freemasonry – with members on hand to answer any questions.
You can see the full list of Saturday’s events in Nottingham >>HERE<<.
Also on the 17th of June, the Masonic Hall in Goldsmith St will be open to the public. There will be transport there by vintage bus followed by guided tours of the building and its temples, an exhibition of masonic artefacts and the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and drinks in its bar and restaurant.
Remember you can catch Nottingham City Transport’s Navy 3 bus from Ruddington directly into the Old Market Square – for this family day out to celebrate 300 years of Freemasonry in Nottinghamshire.
Article written by Graham Wright & Faye Stenson of the Ruddington Parish Council Village Newsletter team.
