December is now upon us and festive plans at venues around our village are already well advanced. For the first time this year, these include two major events organised by Ruddington Village Centre Partnership (RVCP).
RVCP‘s very first Christmas Makers’ Night is happening this Friday 6th December. Organised by their Ruddington Village Market team, over 40 artisan craft stalls will be hosted across three main village venues – The Cottage Hotel, The Frame Breakers and The White Horse Inn – as well as within numerous village centre shops, which are opening until late. You can read the details <<HERE>>.
This is followed by the monthly Ruddington Christmas Market on the morning of Saturday December 7th at The White Horse, with the usual mixture of stalls selling meat, cheese, bread, eggs, spices, pies, sweet and savoury products, pet foods, crafts and more. These are run by both existing village retailers and popular market traders from across the region. The charity stall this month is the South Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust – which maintains Ruddington’s own Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve to protect its wildlife and biodiversity for all to enjoy.
The BIG ‘Ruddington Christmas Fayre’ will then follow on during the afternoon of Saturday 7th December from 12 noon to 5pm. As before, the High Street will be closed between Easthorpe Street and Kirk Lane with a double marquee packed with stall holders {top photo}. There will be further traders and activities in several venues in the centre of Ruddington, including craft retailers inside St Peter’s Church, various stalls including a children’s lucky dip at the Methodist Church, and even Santa in his grotto at St Peter’s Rooms. You can find the full ‘Programme of Events’ >>HERE<<. Attractions at the Fayre include celebrity appearances from Dave the Cockle Man – who will open the Christmas Fayre at midday on the High Street – whilst fellow village resident and Radio Nottingham presenter Sarah Julian will draw the raffle at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Rooms, which this year is raising money for Ruddington Scouts. There are lots of great prizes to be won, including an Amazon Echo. and a 31 Day Easyrider Ticket from Nottingham City Transport. Full prize details are >>HERE<<. Tickets costing £1 each, are currently available from the scouts, Ruddington Parish Council office and members of the Events Team.
As usual, Ruddington’s Great Central Railway is running steam-train trips through our beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside with Father Christmas. Always popular with children, their ‘Santa Specials’ are another great chance to tell the man in the red suit what they’d like for Christmas. All these December journeys with Santa have now sold out – but GCRN says it’s always worth checking with them for any cancellations.
Don’t worry, though, as children will also be able to see Father Christmas touring Ruddington between the 11th and 17th December courtesy of the Rotary Club of Rushcliffe. Find the details >>HERE<<.
On the evening of Saturday December 14th, Ruddington Choral Society invites you to ‘A Celebration of Christmas’. There will be a selection of Christmas music, festive readings, and carols with audience participation at St Peter’s Church. Paul Hayward will conduct, Michael Overbury is the accompanist, and Kathryn Mason will play the harp. Tickets are available now from Perkins Hardware, priced £10, and also on the evening at the door, subject to availability.
To make sure we don’t lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, St Peter’s Church also has its very popular ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service on Sunday 15th December at 7pm followed by ‘Carols with The Salvation Army’ on Monday December 16th at 7.30pm.
Ruddington Methodist Church also has ‘Candlelit Carol Service’, led by minister Simon Rose, on Sunday 15th December at 4pm, to hear the Christmas story and sing some favourite carols.
Ruddington Baptist Church has ‘Beer & Carols’ at The Frame Breakers on Wednesday 18th December. Ahead of this, Minister Sam Hackett is running a village poll to find out what your favourite Christmas Carol is? You’re being encouraged to vote for this online now >>HERE<<.
For a unique, festive family trip back in time, Ruddington Framework Knitters’ Museum will be hosting a ‘Victorian Christmas’ on Saturday 21st December from 2pm to 6pm.
Organiser Helen Brownett says: “Join us to enjoy tea cakes toasted on the open fire in the cottage, roast chestnuts in the courtyard and traditional Carols around the Christmas tree. Our former Methodist Chapel will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland where you can create your very own knitted present on an antique knitting machine.”
Helen adds: “There’ll also be a tombola, and seasonal refreshments and cake will be available throughout the day. After dark, the museum gardens will be lit by lantern light to add to the magical atmosphere.”
Entry is FREE.
Village businesses are also going that extra ‘festive’ mile. There are currently extended shopping hours every Wednesday evening. Each weekend in December Ruddington’s specialist beer and eco-shop The Bottle Top is hosting ‘Christmas Tap Takeovers’. Meantime The Cottage Hotel is advertising seasonal dining via this new promotional video produced by RUDDINGTON.info and Paul Witney Photography:
Please don’t drink and drive this festive season as Nottingham City Transport‘s frequent and friendly Navy 3 and Green 10 buses can get you here from the City, West Bridgford, Wilford and Clifton for a #RuddyGoodDayOut !
Keep an eye out on our daily RUDDINGTON.info Events Calendar for more details of all that’s happening in our village over the Christmas and New Year period.
