Tag: Griswold

Susan’s ‘Grand Day Out’ in Ruddington!

Graham Wright

Our village is to feature on national television again this week thanks to Glaswegian comedian Susan Calman. For the second episode of her seventh series of ‘Grand Day Out’ on Channel Five, Susan hits the road to Nottinghamshire – including a visit to Ruddington’s increasingly famous Framework Knitters’ Museum. Amongst other things, she’s taught how to knit on one of the Griswold circular knitting machines. Although filming for this episode happened in April, those at the Chapel Street tourist attraction have been sworn to secrecy until now.  Even Susan’s rather…

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Museum Volunteers’ Special Day

Graham Wright

On His Majesty’s 75th birthday last November we reported the very happy news that individuals and groups volunteering at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum (FWK) had been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest Royal accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is equivalent to an MBE. FWK was one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive our new King’s first awards in 2023. Their work, along with others from across the UK, aims to remind us about all the…

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Museum Volunteers’ Accolade from The King!

Graham Wright

It’s been revealed that individuals and groups volunteering at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum (FWK) have been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2023. Announced on His Majesty’s 75th Birthday today (14th November 2023), it is the highest Royal accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is equivalent to an MBE. FWK is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive our new King’s first awards this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, aims to remind us about…

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Ruddington Museum Becomes New Travellers’ Choice

Graham Wright

The Framework Knitters’ Museum on Chapel Street has just gained an international accolade – a TripAdvisor ‘Travelers’ Choice Award’ for 2023! Each year the travel comparison website recognises favourite attractions around the world, based on reviews and ratings collected over the past year. These TripAdvisor reviews have elevated our museum into the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide. The preserved Ruddington heritage site one of very few places left in the country where you’ll find the working and living conditions of the once large framework knitting industry. Sarah Godfrey, creative and…

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International Women’s Day Award for Helen

Graham Wright

Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum is celebrating its long-standing textile artist and technical demonstrator, Helen Brownett, by presenting her with an achievement award for International Women’s Day, which is TODAY (Wednesday 8th March 2023). The accolade is in recognition of Helen’s 28 years of service here, inspiring thousands of visitors and encouraging many to become interested in knitting on the museum’s hand powered ‘Griswold’ machines. Helen is best known for her elaborate ‘office’; which is filled with hundreds of yarns of wool, creating a unique and vibrant workspace! Museum manager Sarah Godfrey…

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Night at the Museum

Graham Wright

Those attending the official re-opening of Ruddington’s famous Framework Knitters’ Museum this week got to see it in a different light…. the dark! Staff and volunteers at Ruddington’s now internationally acclaimed tourist attraction welcomed invited guests to see the newly expanded site at four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon (23rd November) – and it was soon apparent why this time was chosen. As night fell, the workers’ cottages – recently restored to how they would have looked in 1890 – and the museum’s new ‘community garden’ were lit by candles and other…

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Helen’s COVID-19 Set To ‘Go Viral’

Faye Stenson

Helen Brownett, who’s the Textile Artist & Technical Demonstrator at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum, has designed her own version of a COVID-19 virus – and knitted it in 3D on one of the museum’s antique, circular knitting machines! Helen put the finishing touches to the blue Coronavirus by hand, adding pompoms on stalks to make her creation instantly recognisable. Explaining her motivation to design and knit a Coronavirus, Helen (pictured above on a Griswold machine) says: “I’ve always had an interest in knitting unusual things. Past projects have included the…

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