Ruddy Bear’s Uganda Update!

It’s been a busy few months for The Mustard Seed Project, Uganda – the Ruddington based charity which was founded in 2017 by village schoolteachers Jayne Henson and Sally Squires after they visited rural Uganda to work with teachers on active learning activities. In our last update we reported how ‘Ruddy Bear’ was due to set off again on his travels last October – this time to Uganda with Sally {pictured top right} along with some of his bear friends who had been sponsored by villagers to give to Ugandan children – one…

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Seeds and Strolling for Uganda

It’s now three years since we first found out that Ruddington’s last remaining public telephone box would be decommissioned – when BT Payphones announced its lack of use made it no longer viable to keep it in service. The Grade II listed, traditional, red, cast iron kiosk in front of the War Memorial on Church Street {pictured top left} is a Type K6 designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Because it’s an important heritage landmark, within our village Conservation Area, ideas were invited to put it to an alternative use through…

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‘Knickers for Knowledge’ is Back!

This March marks the return of The Mustard Seeds Project‘s infamous fashion show – otherwise known as ‘Knickers for Knowledge’! As many villagers will already know, the Ruddington based project supports women and girls in rural Uganda through economic projects and educational initiatives. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 has impacted the lives of women in this marginalised area of Uganda very significantly. Schools and clinics have been closed for two years – leading to increased poverty, disease and gender-based violence. Due to the severe lockdown teenage pregnancy cases has risen five times…

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Uganda Calling!

It’s the end of an era for Ruddington – as our last remaining public telephone box has just been granted planning permission by Rushcliffe Borough Council for a rather interesting change of use. The Grade II listed, traditional, cast iron, red kiosk – in front of the War Memorial on Church Street – is a Type K6 designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Although an important heritage landmark for our village within the Conservation Area, BT Payphones decided that its lack of use made it no longer viable…

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Mustard Seed Mosquito Nets – and Much More!

It’s certainly been a busy 2019 so far for Ruddington’s The Mustard Seed Project, Uganda! There’s lots to report about the charity’s continuing hard work – including much fundraising to progress its projects. In this bumper RUDDINGTON.info update, trustee Ruth Keen writes: Most notably, perhaps, was that during the first week of June, trustees were delighted to welcome the Reverend Charles Okunya Oode.  Rev Charles is the ‘man on the ground’ in Uganda and coordinates the work of the Mustard Seed Project – helping make best use of the funds that are…

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Ruddington Donations Arrive in Uganda

On 1st June 2018, trustees and volunteers for Ruddington based charity The Mustard Seed Project (Uganda) waved goodbye to a 40 foot container which was crammed full of items that were sourced and donated to send to Uganda. Trustee, Ruth Keen writes: The filling of the container was the result of many, many months’ worth of researching, collecting, sorting, packing and labelling of a great assortment of items, which will change and improve so many lives in the African country. There were so many donations from our wonderful community, including…

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Ruddingtonians Return from Uganda

Four trustees of Ruddington based charity The Mustard Seed Project have arrived home from their trip to Uganda having received invaluable, personal updates on its work. Founders of the charity Sally Squires and Jayne Henson, who’re both staff at James Peacock Infant & Nursery School, were joined on their second trip to the country by fellow educators Ian Mawer (the Deputy Head Teacher at St Peter’s C of E Junior School) and Professor Louise Mullany (of Nottingham University). The first stop for the quartet was the capital city Kampala, where they…

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Mustard Seed Success

Ruddington’s Mustard Seed Project has revealed it’s made a four figure sum from its latest fundraiser – and then some! The charity – which secures funds to provide clean water, food and an education for children in Teso, Uganda – held its second ‘Knickers for Knowledge Fashion Show’ at St Peter’s School in our village last night (Friday 9th March) asking for donations of new knickers, a bra or a child’s book from those who attended. But the money raised came primarily from the event tickets, the sale of top…

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Getting Set for Uganda

2018 is certainly shaping up to be a big year for Ruddington’s Mustard Seed Project! As regular readers will know, this is the fundraising group set up by James Peacock Infants School teachers Sally Squires and Jayne Henson inspired by their visit to Uganda in the Summer of 2016. Following the Project’s formal establishment as a registered charity, and the election of a board of trustees, they are returning to Uganda to visit the communities they are supporting. JPS assistant head teacher Sally and teaching assistant Jayne, along with St Peters Junior School Deputy Head Ian Mawer…

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Uganda Takes Centre Stage at School Celebrations

Back in August we posted about the summer fundraisers for Ruddington’s Mustard Seed Project and about their role in helping James Peacock School celebrate the 50th anniversary of its move to Manor Park. Now those involved can reflect on all that’s been achieved! The project’s Charlene Robinson writes: “Following on from the fashion show that we held earlier this year which enabled us to begin to build a primary school in Teso, Uganda, we’ve had an amazing summer of fundraising at the Mustard Seed Project. In August Julie Allen and Ruddy bear leapt…

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