TIME FOR TEA!

If you’re one of Ruddington’s more observant residents you’ll have already noticed another change at The Old Bakehouse on Church Street – but you don’t really SEE the change until you step inside….
The interior of the former Horspool’s Bakery Shop has been completely refurbished as a tea room – and is now laid out with chairs and tables, complete with colourful tablecloths and fresh flowers, along with a Welsh Dresser and matching corner cabinet to emphasize the ‘new’ Victorian feel.
The new business is the idea of Lesley Wells who “always had a dream to open a traditional village tea shop in later life” – and now she has!  Assisted by Karen Wakefield and Leiske Thompson they serve tea from bone china teapots and cups but also offer home-baked and locally sourced food.  This includes cooked breakfasts, jacket potatoes, hot beef and pork cobs, rolls, bread and takeaway food – as well as cakes and scones for Afternoon Tea.
Along with food and drink they are also selling a range of locally made hand-crafted gifts and cards “to offer something a bit different for the residents of Ruddington.  We’ve already had lots of support and good luck cards and messages from local people – who we hope will keep coming back.  But we’re also close to the two village museums so might attract some occasional visitors from further afield, too” says Lesley. They’re currently open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm but also hope to open on Sundays in the future if given permission. (
By Graham Wright)