This week’s milestone date of Monday 17th May has been pencilled in our diaries for a few months now – the point promised on the ‘roadmap’ for a further easing of Coronavirus restrictions in England – assuming all went to plan. Hospitality venues in Ruddington preparing to reopen indoors had begun wondering in recent days whether clusters of cases of the new ‘Indian’ COVID-19 variant in other parts of the UK might put a spanner in the works – following fresh warnings from some scientists not to proceed with ‘Step 3’…
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Easter in Ruddington
Whilst this week’s further easing of Coronavirus restrictions doesn’t yet allow for the reopening of Ruddington’s hospitality venues – or even non-essential retailers – it does mean the true meaning of Easter can be celebrated ‘face to face’ (albeit ‘socially distanced’) at our village churches this year. Minister of Ruddington Methodist Church, Revd Nichola Jones, tells us the traditional building of the ‘Easter Cross’ of flowers in front of their building (pictured above) will be taking place this Saturday (3rd April): “Any gifts of flowers are warmly welcomed from 10am…
Read MoreRuddington Railway’s ‘Roadmap’
One of our village’s main tourist attractions has announced it will begin to re-open some areas of its Mere Way site just after the Easter holidays. Although this means Ruddington kids will miss out on the Easter Bunny for a second year running – having also been deprived of a festive train trip with Santa – at least we can now see a light at the end of the (metaphorical) tunnel. Heritage services last ran at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) during the February half-term last year before all trains were cancelled and…
Read MoreRuddFest is Postponed Again
It’s been revealed that Ruddington’s much loved annual Beer and Cider Festival – which usually attracts thousands of visitors – will not be taking place this June as planned, due to continuing concerns about COVID-19. The decision was made in the wake of the Government’s ‘roadmap’ announcement on Monday that restrictions on large events and some hospitality will not be lifted until June 21st at the earliest – which is after the originally scheduled RuddFest 2021 dates of June 3rd-6th. Last year’s event was first postponed and then cancelled altogether because of the Coronavirus…
Read MoreNo Beer from the Pub!
In another blow to our hospitality venues, one of the new restrictions added by the Government in the third ‘National lockdown’ is that public houses in England can no longer serve takeaway alcohol from their premises. Whilst no initial mention was made of this by Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his Monday night announcement (4th January 2021), it’s since been revealed that such venues are now restricted to selling alcohol by delivery only – meaning beer collection services being successfully run by pubs such as The Frame Breakers in Ruddington…
Read MoreRuddington Moves to Tier 4
Today’s Government announcement that Nottinghamshire, like most of the East Midlands, will move into England’s highest level of current Coronavirus restrictions from New Year’s Eve means that Ruddington will almost be back in ‘Lockdown’ for a third time. It follows growing concerns about the new and apparently much more infectious variant of COVID-19 which is spreading alarmingly across Britain – leading to record numbers of confirmed new infections and hospitalizations. Starting at 00:01 on Thursday December 31st, our shift up to Tier 4 effectively returns us to the ‘lockdown’ rules of…
Read MoreRuddington’s One Day ‘COVID’ Christmas
The new and more infectious mutation of the Coronavirus, which is now spreading alarmingly across Britain, has caused dozens of countries to suspend travel from the UK as well as halting freight across The English Channel – leading to worries about food shortages. It’s also confounded festive plans for many in our village and beyond. Not only must our many hospitality businesses remain closed throughout (except for takeaways or delivery) but any long distance family get-togethers in our homes have had to be cancelled, too. For now, Ruddington remains in Tier 3 – which is…
Read MorePub Doors Stay Closed for Christmas
In another blow for Ruddington’s hospitality venues, The Government has decided the whole of Nottinghamshire will retain Tier 3 ‘very high alert’ status throughout December. Despite the fact that data sources such as the Zoe COVID App are indicating Coronavirus numbers have been falling steadily in Rushcliffe, the strictest COVID-19 rules will remain in place here when the next rule change happens this weekend. It’s blamed on continuing high rates of infection countywide, with their trajectory and pressures on the local health and social care system being cited as the factors considered…
Read MoreHospitality Hit Hardest by ‘Return’ to Tier 3
Today’s news that Ruddington will fall back under Tier 3 restrictions when the current ‘lockdown’ ends has not come as a great surprise to residents and traders. However, the Government’s decision to make revised Tier 3 measures even harsher for the hospitality sector has understandably caused dismay among our many village pub, restaurant and cafe owners. From December 2nd they’ll find themselves remaining under the same restrictions as during the current COVID-19 ‘lockdown’, rather than being able to open again if they are serving substantial meals, as previously. So, in line with the…
Read MoreAsher Lane Parking Plea
Safety concerns have been raised by local residents after a significant recent increase in visitors attempting to use Asher Lane to park for Rushcliffe Country Park. It seems the issue has been especially bad on Saturdays and Sundays – with drivers favouring access through our narrow village streets to try to park alongside the north eastern perimeter of the popular Ruddington green space rather than in the official car park off Mere Way. Sue Powdrill, who took these photographs for us, tells RUDDINGTON.info: “There is a constant queue of cars trying to…
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