Britmask Has it Covered

Whilst the UK’s Coronavirus vaccination programme has allowed a significant easing of restrictions since the COVID-19  pandemic hit Ruddington early in 2020, including the recent removal of temporary ‘Plan B’ rules imposed after fears about the ‘Omicron’ variant, the wish to continue keeping ourselves and others safe has made wearing face coverings in certain public places a ‘new normal’ in our everyday lives. Concerns about the environment have also led many of us to dump disposable face masks in favour of more comfortable, washable alternatives which we can use again and…

Read More

No ‘Freedom Day’ at The Doctors or Dentists

Whilst this Monday is the day when most of the Government’s legally binding COVID-19 restrictions in England will be lifted, businesses and organisations in our village have been weighing up what ‘risks’ they are able or willing to take. If you need to see a doctor or nurse in Ruddington, it seems things will stay very much the same, for now. A statement on behalf of the Church House Surgery on Shaw Street, says: “From the 19th July, Village Health Group will still be asking our patients and staff to: Continue wearing face…

Read More

‘Freedom Day’ in Ruddington

Since the Government confirmed yesterday that Monday 19th July will by the day that all COVID-19 legal restrictions in England will be lifted, businesses and residents in Ruddington have been weighing up what ‘risks’ they will be prepared to take. Whilst Sajid Javid confirmed England will move to ‘Step 4’ – the final stage of ‘unlocking’ its Coronavirus restrictions on this date – he also described July 19th as “the start of a new phase of continued caution” – saying the use of face coverings will still be “expected and recommended…

Read More

Four More Weeks of ‘Step 3’

Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister about England’s ‘road out of lockdown’ brought a mixture of good and bad news for Ruddington’s hospitality businesses. Boris Johnson confirmed, as anticipated, that ‘Step 4’ – which he dubbed “Freedom Day” – will be delayed by a month due to concerns about the continuing spread of the more infectious and vaccine-resistant ‘Delta’ Coronavirus variant in the UK. He said this pause should allow the vaccination of around five million more people before remaining restrictions are lifted. Here in Ruddington, the latest Government data indicates COVID-19 is…

Read More

Indoor Hospitality Reopens

This week’s milestone date of Monday 17th May has been pencilled in our diaries for a few months now – the point promised on the ‘roadmap’ for a further easing of Coronavirus restrictions in England – assuming all went to plan. Hospitality venues in Ruddington preparing to reopen indoors had begun wondering in recent days whether clusters of cases of the new ‘Indian’ COVID-19 variant in other parts of the UK might put a spanner in the works – following fresh warnings from some scientists not to proceed with ‘Step 3’…

Read More

Ruddington Buses During the Third ‘Lockdown’

Even though the whole of England has been put back under ‘lockdown’ to combat a new surge of COVID-19 infections, our village’s main bus operator says this will not alter the existing schedules of either its Navy 3 or Green 10 services for the time being. With our schools now unexpectedly closed again, Nottingham City Transport (NCT) says the only buses which will not run are those specifically to accommodate extra travelling schoolchildren – such as the term time Navy 3 15:30 weekday service from Wilford Lane (ROKO) to the City. NCT hopes that, by otherwise maintaining its current…

Read More

Ruddington Buses Under Tier 4

Following the announcement that Ruddington will be put into England’s ‘new’ highest level of COVID-19 restrictions to start 2021, our village’s main bus operator says the latest change will not alter the existing schedules of either its Navy 3 or Green 10 services. Nottingham City Transport (NCT) hopes that, by maintaining its current service levels under Tier 4, buses will continue to be less busy to enable better social distancing (and therefore safer travel) as we head back to work.* NCT says: “Nottingham and Nottinghamshire moving to Tier 4 restrictions from Thursday 31st December 2020 has…

Read More

Where’s My Bus?

If you’re a frequent user of Ruddington’s Navy 3 or Green 10 buses, inevitably you will find times when our village services aren’t quite running to schedule – due to heavy traffic, mechanical problems, or other issues. As well as the illuminated displays at many bus stops, for a while you’ve also been able to check on the NCTX website or ‘phone app what time the next bus(es) will actually be reaching your stop, to prevent unnecessary hanging about in the cold. Now Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has gone a stage further…

Read More

Ruddington Buses’ Return to Tier 3

Following the second national ‘lockdown’ in England, Ruddington’s main bus operator says the return to a slightly less stringent set of Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions this December will not alter the existing schedules of either its Navy 3 and Green 10 village services.* It’s hoped that Nottingham City Transport (NCT) maintaining its current service levels will mean emptier buses – for improved social distancing and therefore safer travel up to the festive holidays. NCT has also announced its special schedules over Christmas and the New Year. You can find out specifically how Ruddington’s…

Read More

Hospitality Hit Hardest by ‘Return’ to Tier 3

Today’s news that Ruddington will fall back under Tier 3 restrictions when the current ‘lockdown’ ends has not come as a great surprise to residents and traders. However, the Government’s decision to make revised Tier 3 measures even harsher for the hospitality sector has understandably caused dismay among our many village pub, restaurant and cafe owners. From December 2nd they’ll find themselves remaining under the same restrictions as during the current COVID-19 ‘lockdown’, rather than being able to open again if they are serving substantial meals, as previously. So, in line with the…

Read More