Tag: volunteers

Susan’s ‘Grand Day Out’ in Ruddington!

Graham Wright

Our village is to feature on national television again this week thanks to Glaswegian comedian Susan Calman. For the second episode of her seventh series of ‘Grand Day Out’ on Channel Five, Susan hits the road to Nottinghamshire – including a visit to Ruddington’s increasingly famous Framework Knitters’ Museum. Amongst other things, she’s taught how to knit on one of the Griswold circular knitting machines. Although filming for this episode happened in April, those at the Chapel Street tourist attraction have been sworn to secrecy until now.  Even Susan’s rather…

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New Speedwatch Team Spotting Speeding Drivers

Pam Pearce

Speeding motorists in Ruddington are being monitored by a new volunteer group. The ‘Community Speedwatch Team’ have been out on their first roadside operations checking on speeding car drivers. They were armed with a speed gun, paperwork, hi-vis jackets plus yellow roadside signs. During the early morning rush hour this morning (Thursday June 20th) a team in Clifton Lane monitored 1,200 cars in 90 minutes. Two drivers were recorded driving significantly above the 30mph speed limit. One was going at 39mph, the other at 41mph. Many pedestrians, cyclists and drivers voiced or signalled their…

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Museum Volunteers’ Special Day

Graham Wright

On His Majesty’s 75th birthday last November we reported the very happy news that individuals and groups volunteering at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum (FWK) had been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest Royal accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is equivalent to an MBE. FWK was one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive our new King’s first awards in 2023. Their work, along with others from across the UK, aims to remind us about all the…

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Traditional Hedge Laying at our Country Park

Graham Wright

Visitors to Ruddington’s top tourist attraction may have noticed a time-honoured hedge laying technique to help manage its hedgerows sustainably, which aims to provide a valuable habitat and food source for wildlife. Further winter work is being undertaken at Rushcliffe Country Park by its Park Rangers and Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park (FoRCP) volunteers using a traditional, manual technique which involves cutting the hedge tree thinly at the base and lying them on their side, as can be seen above. It’s an annual practice they have used for decades in certain…

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Watch Your Speed!

Graham Wright

Scenes such as the one above could soon become commonplace in our village if a planned Ruddington road safety initiative gets off the ground. Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) is currently on the lookout for ‘Community Speed Watch’ volunteers to assist the police with tackling the problem of speeding vehicles at trouble-spots such as Loughborough Road (above), Wilford Road and Clifton Road, to name just three. It’s been an ongoing concern for many residents, and was even the focus of a meeting last year at the Ruddington Arms organised by our MP Ruth…

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‘Shade Sails’ in the Park

Graham Wright

Regular visitors to Rushcliffe Country Park here in Ruddington may already have noticed two rather ‘striking’ new additions between the children’s play area and outdoor gym/new skatepark. Officially called ‘Shade Sails’ (pictured top), they have been erected among the picnic benches to provide welcome shelter from the sun during the summer months, and protection from rain during the wet, winter months. They were funded by a visitor who made a generous donation in her will to a favourite park she had visited many times over the years. It’s possible the new structures rather…

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Museum Volunteers’ Accolade from The King!

Graham Wright

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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Ruddington Museum Becomes New Travellers’ Choice

Graham Wright

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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‘Fun Fest’ Raises Thousands for Ruddington Kids

Graham Wright

Organisers of the summer fundraiser at Ruddington’s Infant & Nursery School are celebrating its success after more than doubling last year’s total; making it their most successful event to date. Helped by some glorious weather, Friends of James Peacock School reveal they made just over £3,400 during their ‘Summer Fun Fest’ – which was held in the school field at Manor Park last Friday (16th June 2023). The Friends raise money for the school to assist in making it a memorable and positive experience for all of its children. A team of…

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New Ruddington Café Shelter Opens

Graham Wright

Visitors to Rushcliffe Country Park can now enjoy an extra place to take refuge from the rain – or the sun! – thanks to a brand new natural wood shelter constructed near the Visitor Centre. It also aims to provide a sociable space with additional all-weather seating where park-goers can enjoy refreshments from the adjacent ‘Coffee and Cake by the Lake’ café, which opened in October last year. The structure will also be used as an outdoor education centre to teach children the important part wildlife has to play in…

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