Arrests Made After Railway Vandalism

Nottinghamshire Police say they have arrested two boys in connection with the criminal damage at Ruddington’s Great Central Railway site on Monday (29th April). Volunteers at our village heritage centre have estimated that the attack – reportedly involving around half a dozen young people who smashed a total of 112 windows on various items of coaching stock and two diesel railcars – will cost around £80,000 to repair. They were then disturbed by a volunteer and are believed to have fled on bikes toward Rushcliffe Country Park. It has prompted dismay and…

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Vandals Cause £80,000 Damage to Heritage Railway

Ruddington’s Great Central Railway (Nottingham) is appealing for your help to catch those responsible for a relentless campaign of thefts and mindless acts of vandalism at the much loved, village tourist attraction. Director Phil Stanway reveals that, over the past six to eight weeks, their site has been subjected to an ongoing and concerted spate of theft and vandalism attacks – involving multiple break ins to vehicles and buildings and deliberate damage on a large scale. All along the railway, which operates 10 miles from the base at Ruddington, through East Leake to…

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Easter With Our Framework Knitters

Easter will be a busy time at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum with events for villagers and visitors of all ages. This year it’s supporting Knit for Peace by using its historic, Griswold circular knitting machines to knit strips to be sewn into blankets – and is inviting anyone to have a try. Museum assistant Helen Brownett says: “Do come along and join us on any of the Easter weekend days, from Friday 19th April to Monday 21st April, 11-4 to get involved. You can knit on the machines; you can sew the blankets;…

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Footpath Should Reopen Soon!

It’s hoped a closed footway, which residents on a Ruddington estate usually use to gain easy access to our village centre, should be open again before too long. The jitty between Elms Park and Elms Gardens was closed by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) over three months’ ago when it was reported that a wall alongside it was crumbling (photos courtesy of Paul Witney). Bricks from it had fallen on to the path – so a decision was made by NCC to prevent public access on health and safety grounds. Barriers…

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Exciting Year Ahead for Framework Knitters’ Museum

Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum on Chapel Street is gearing up for what it hopes could be its most successful year to date. Further to securing Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) last year, plans are now afoot to put the museum’s ambitious redevelopment and expansion project – christened “A Right Good Yarn” – in motion. This will see the site as we know it transformed {artist impressions courtesy of FWKM – top and below}, with a new visitor route, enhanced interactive displays and exhibitions, a new and improved shop and café, and lots…

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Ruddington Rail Depot Appeal Boost

It’s hoped Ruddington’s famous, restored High Speed Train won’t have to spend another winter out in the cold following a huge boost for The 125 Group’s Depot appeal. RailUK Forums has agreed to donate £4,100.01 – bringing the grand total raised to £78,142.96. That’s over three quarters of the way to their target of £100,000 to build a new all-weather facility at Great Central Railway (Nottingham)‘s Heritage Centre, off Mere Way. As we’ve reported previously, our resident Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and its six Mk3 coaches are currently subject to…

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‘Fork Handles’ and ‘The Yard’ Take Shape!

Ruddington is no stranger to new house building in recent times – with considerably more development still to come – but a prominent village plot that’s created a great deal of interest over the past year or so is the site of the former Bostock’s DIY Shop at 70, Wilford Road. The historic business closed in October 2015 after 56 years – when owners Tony and Hazel Theaker retired – and was bought by Ruddington’s Mascari Design Solutions Ltd. New owner Rob and his team then worked with Justin Smith Architects of Derby…

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Clifton Road Footpath & Cycleway Construction Begins!

It’s been announced that the creation of Ruddington’s long awaited “safe” footway from Clifton Road via the Old Station Drive development directly into the Pasture Lane Estate will finally begin this Monday! The news follows a seven year campaign launched by former Parish Councillor Barbara Breakwell, after residents from the new housing complained of their “dangerous” daily walk, especially with young children. The single, narrow footpath over the former railway bridge beside (the now very busy) Clifton Road {left} has remained their only access to the northern end of the village because the…

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New Boss at the Framework Knitters’ Museum

Ruddington’s historic Framework Knitters’ Museum has announced it has a new Curator. Jim Grevatte is taking over the management role during exciting times for our village heritage site – which very recently secured Heritage Lottery Funding for its future expansion plans. Having been in post for just two years, departing Curator Nicola Wood has left for a new job at Canalside Heritage Centre in Beeston Rylands as full time manager. FKM Trustee Faye Stenson comments: “We’d like to thank Nicola for the huge amount she’s achieved for our museum and wish her all the…

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The “Screaming Valentas” Visit!

Ruddington’s Great Central Railway is buzzing with excitement today (Saturday 17th November) as rail enthusiasts from around the country flock here to an event involving not just ONE but TWO unique, restored high speed train powercars. It’s a railtour with a difference as The 125 Group partners with The Branch Line Society and East Midlands Trains (EMT) to take a newly refurbished EMT (ex-Grand Central) six coach HST set from Derby to Ruddington and back again. They’re using the connection off the mainline at Loughborough South Junction to get here.…

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