nature – Page 3 – RUDDINGTON.info

Go Wild in June!

1st June 20211st June 2021 Graham Wright

Now that ‘flaming June’ is here, can you do one wild thing a day throughout the whole of the month? Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust believes you can! Whilst its monthly ‘Rushcliffe Country Park Wildlife Watch Group’ was put on hold last year, due to COVID-19 concerns, it is planning an autumn programme at Rushcliffe Country Park this year – which is set to commence from the second Saturday in September. Meantime, the already reduced level of Coronavirus restrictions means it’s again possible to run this June challenge safely whilst still observing ‘social distancing’ rules, etc. ’30 Days…

Our Tree Planting Parish Councillors

30th May 202130th May 2021 Graham Wright

Did you know Ruddington Parish Council has a new ‘Tree Planting Working Group’? It’s been formed to improve biodiversity and create spaces for nature within our village. Long before the announcement earlier this month about ‘The Queen’s Green Canopy’ to mark her Platinum Jubilee, Councillors Graham Fletcher, Holly Law, Leo Lanzoni, Ken Piggott and Chloe Lewington had already decided to put their efforts into making Ruddington a more attractive place to live and work – although most of their own activities are limited to Parish Council land or property. Recently,…

Ruddington Speaks on Nature Conservation

8th February 20219th February 2021 Graham Wright

With protecting our natural environment increasingly at the forefront of many people’s minds, one agenda item at this Tuesday evening’s Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) Cabinet Meeting is attracting particular interest amongst villagers. On September 28th last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the ‘Leaders Pledge For Nature’ at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity, along with 64 other countries, seeking to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The pledge states: “We are in a state of planetary emergency: the interdependent crises of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and climate change”. The Chartered Institute for Ecology…

WALK #4 – Ruddington to Bradmore – and back

24th December 202031st December 2023 David R Thompson

This is the fourth walk in the series – and we have already headed south, north and west – so this stroll takes in countryside to the east of Ruddington, around the pretty village of Bradmore. The walk takes about three hours and is about four and a half miles long. Unlike the previous walks, there are no nature trails or country parks, but paths and tracks across open countryside and farmland, so please ensure that you are wearing sturdy footwear, or preferably good quality hiking boots. As with all the…

WALK #3 – Ruddington to Clifton’s Greatest Hits

13th September 202031st December 2023 David R Thompson

The third walk in this series takes us from Ruddington towards its nearest neighbour. Clifton has its roots as a village, existing now within the Nottingham City boundary but growing up initially around Clifton Hall, an ancient family seat. It was much enlarged by the building of a large council estate in the 1950s and is now a vibrant suburban community, enhanced by its new tram route and, arguably, the dualling of the A453 which reduced its seemingly permanent congestion during rush hour. This walk takes in some of the…

WALK #2 – Ruddington to Sharphill Wood – and back

7th August 202031st December 2023 David R Thompson

The second walk in this series takes us from Ruddington into an attractive wooded nature reserve. Sharphill Wood is reputed to be the patch of real countryside closest to Nottingham City Centre, and is situated on a ridge above West Bridgford. The walk incorporates a safe crossing of the A52 – essential if you’re going to be able to explore North beyond Ruddington’s boundaries! First, please click on the map below should you wish to open it in a separate window, for reference. Walk #2 begins again in the centre of Ruddington,…

‘Go Wild in June’ & Geoff’s ‘Hedgehog Award Challenge’!

1st June 202010th June 2020 Graham Wright

Now that ‘flaming June’ is here, can you do one wild thing a day throughout the whole of the month? Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust believes you can! Despite the usual ‘Rushcliffe Country Park Wildlife Watch Group’ and other organised events at Rushcliffe Country Park being suspended due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the latest easing of restrictions means it’s still possible to take part in the annual nature challenge safely whilst observing ‘social distancing’ regulations. ’30 Days Wild’ is billed as a fun, feel-good challenge run by The Wildlife Trusts every June –…

WALK #1 – A Short Circular Stroll Around Ruddington

28th December 201931st December 2023 David R Thompson

This first walk is for Ruddington residents and tourists alike. It takes in many of the attractions of the village, as well as providing a number of opportunities to see the trains which run on the nearby Great Central Railway at weekends and bank holidays throughout most of the year, except for a number of weeks in winter. First, please click on the map below should you wish to open it in a separate window, for reference. Walk #1 begins in the centre of Ruddington, by the ‘Ruddington Church’ bus stop…

Hey, Little Slow-Worm!

9th June 20199th June 2019 Graham Wright

Ruddington is quite fortunate to have a number of places where slightly more unusual wildlife can be found – with volunteers such as those from The South Notts Local Group of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust helping it to survive and thrive. Since 2008 there has been a smattering of grass snake records from around our village at Rushcliffe Country Park, Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve and Ruddington Grange Golf Course. Grass snakes are Britain’s largest (and non venomous) reptile – not to be confused with the adder, which reportedly (and…

Ruddington Kids’ Wildlife Group Wins National Prize

14th April 201814th April 2018 Graham Wright

A special presentation is taking place in the Education Centre at Rushcliffe Country Park this morning after our local Wildlife Watch Group scooped a national award! Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust‘s Ruddington activities for 8 to 13 year-olds topped entries from across the country to win them the title of “Wildlife Watch Group of the Year”. The judging panel praised their year of fun learning for local children whilst also helping wildlife – documenting dozens of their activities from building a minibeast hotel (above) and a fungi hunt, through to picking litter and making…