After nearly a year of planning it was with regret that the first Ruddington Community event for a decade, scheduled for 14th July, had to be cancelled due to the Elms Park Playing Fields being waterlogged.
The enthusiasm and support from the village for such an event was proved by the offers of performances, activities, stall holders and support, both financial and practical, from organisations, businesses and individuals alike. Special thanks are extended to the Parish Council, Saint-Gobain/Artex, Cleggs Solicitors and MRB Printers.
From the 7th July to 14th July there was an Arts Week and we extend our thanks to the shops on the High Street and the Co-op who agreed to allowing art work done by the pupils at the two local schools to be exhibited in their windows, etc.
The response has been very positive and we hope to build on this in the future. Unlike the numerous other events around the country washed out by our current “drought” the cancellation has not resulted in any financial loss. Any charges levied to participants have been fully refunded and we have even managed to get our insurance premium reimbursed!
Such was the determination of the Community Choir to perform on July 14th that they linked with the regular Methodist Church Coffee Morning to sing. Along with the Face Painting provided by the Churches outside the Co-op, a fantastic “mini” Festival occured and proved that there is a community spirit in Ruddington
Will it happen next year? Hopefully!
(By Barbara Breakwell)
Note: The Parish Council were very sad to have to agree to cancelling this event. Members of the Ruddington Festival Planning Committee, the Chairman of the Parish Council, the Clerk to the Council, Beat Manager Ann Gill and the Parish Council ground staff met on site at 1pm on Wednesday 11th July and agreed that even with fine weather on the day, potentially the damage done to an already badly waterlogged field by 1,000 visitors would be very costly to rectify.