Museum Volunteers’ Accolade from The King!

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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Revised Pub Plans Published

As anticipated, a new planning application with a slightly scaled down extension to an historic Ruddington public house has been submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC). It’s after original plans revealed in July, to substantially expand The Frame Breakers at the corner of High Street and Kirk Lane, received a negative reaction from some villagers and Ruddington Parish Council and so were withdrawn even before being put in front of the authority’s planning committee for consideration. Originally a three storey side extension with two storey side and rear extension to the existing building was proposed. Whilst many…

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Carriage Shed Takes Shape

Volunteers at Ruddington’s heritage railway report that work has got underway on schedule to finish building the long-planned covered storage area for its vintage carriages. This will complement the existing locomotive shed and engineering works at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Mere Way. Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) reveals that contractors have been onsite at building number 4, their new ‘Carriage Shed, for about two weeks now. Work completed to date includes the installation of new rear security door, marking out the position of the new steelwork and necessary work…

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Conservation Area Housing Approved

Plans to demolish derelict outbuildings and create flats behind Ruddington’s old butcher’s shop have been passed by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC). As we reported in February, the (then) empty premises and land behind it were bought last year by village entrepreneur Brian Perkins (of ‘Victoria Properties’) who is already the owner/landlord of several of Ruddington’s other shops. His company was responsible for the concept and construction of the adjacent ‘Courtyard’ precinct, off High Street, completed in September 2020. His newly approved redevelopment to the rear of the existing retail unit at 15, Church Street…

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Ruddington Museum Becomes New Travellers’ Choice

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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Pub Planning Application Pulled

Plans submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) to substantially enlarge an historic Ruddington public house have been withdrawn. As reported last month, the owners of The Frame Breakers at the corner of High Street and Kirk Lane had applied for planning permission to build a three storey side extension, with two storey side and rear extension, to the existing building, as shown above. The Heritage Design and Access Statement drawn up by Welham Architects, on behalf of the current landlords, proposed to expand the bar, restaurant and kitchen area on the ground floor and…

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Cash Boost for Ruddington’s Railway

The carriage shed interior as it looks now

Volunteers at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Mere Way have revealed one of their projects has been awarded significant grant funding by Rushcliffe Borough Council to help them complete it. The £40,000 being given to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) ‘Carriage Shed Project’ comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) – part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda providing funding for local investment. The money, combined with match funding from East Midlands Railway Trust and LNER (GC) Heritage Trust will allow the already…

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Village Pub’s Expansion Plans

A popular and historic Ruddington public house has submitted proposals which would see its accommodation more than double in size if approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC).  Owners of The Frame Breakers (formerly The Bricklayers Arms prior to 2015) have applied for planning permission to build a three storey side extension, with two storey side and rear extension, to the existing building at the corner of High Street and Kirk Lane in our village centre. The Heritage Design and Access Statement drawn up by Welham Architects (who created the images above…

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Rushcliffe Halt ‘Station Open Day’

It’s sixty years since the loss of a full passenger service on the Great Central Railway Main Line, but continued expansion of Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (NTHC) on Mere Way, along with improvements elsewhere down the track, are continuing – in readiness for the day when trains can once again run all the way to Leicester. A key part of these plans is the upgrade and maintenance of Rushcliffe Halt and Hotchley Hill signalbox, which are hosting a third (and final) summer ‘Station Open Day’ this Sunday 18th June from 10am until 4pm, to…

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Rushcliffe Halt ‘Station Open Day’

It’s sixty years since the loss of a full passenger service on the Great Central Railway Main Line, but continued expansion of Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (NTHC) on Mere Way, along with improvements elsewhere down the track, are continuing – in readiness for the day when trains can once again run all the way to Leicester. A key part of these plans is the upgrade and maintenance of Rushcliffe Halt and Hotchley Hill signalbox near East Leake, which is hosting another ‘Station Open Day’ this Sunday 11th June from 10am until 4pm*. Organisers promise…

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