55-618: Ruddington ( / ˈ r ʌ d ɪ ŋ t ən / ) is a large village in the Borough of Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire , England. The village is 5 miles (8 km) south of Nottingham and 11 miles (18 km) northwest of Loughborough . It had a population of 6,441 at the 2001 Census , increasing to 7,216 at the 2011 Census and 7,674 in 2021 . Ruddington is twinned with Grenay , France . The village residents have previously conducted high-profile campaigns in an attempt to retain
110-548: A hedgerow due to their close proximity blocking light. The petition gained approximately 350 signatures and was handed to Rushcliffe Borough Council. The local council consulted with the Forestry Commission and maintained that once the trees were removed a new hedgerow would be planted which will add to the diversity of wildlife within the park and work begun felling the poplar trees in June 2008. In October 2008
165-519: A marshland and therefore simple, modern drains were laid to discharge water from the site. This in turn created a shallow pond and helped re-establish a part of the marsh. The park is home to a number of types of trees including: English oak , Red oak , Whitebeam , Rowan , Scots pine , Cherry , Yew , Field maple , Lime , Ash , Copper beech , Maple , Silver birch , Alder , Larch The Wildflower Meadows host over 100 species of flowers and 20 types of grass. From May through to September
220-609: A phone kiosk feature amongst them. This is a mainly residential hamlet of around 200 residents which lies half-mile to the north of the village. It is split into two parts by the A60 road and the Grange manor house surrounding grounds, this having been redeveloped in 1988 into the present-day event venue and golf course. The wider Grange area is also home to Ruddington Hall , in use for many years as offices of an IT organisation, and nearby Mickleborough Hill. Also known as Flawforth , this
275-502: A stream named Gibsons Dyke and transformed into productive farmland by Arthur Gibson after the Enclosure Act of 1767. In 1940 Ruddington Depot was built with a bomb factory and ammunition bunker. The site consisted of over 200 buildings and took 18 months to build. A total of 4,000 workers were involved in the building work of a site that would remain for 41 years. A railway station Ruddington Factory Halt railway station
330-411: A swing and roundabout which have been designed in conjunction with carers and professionals and include full body support and removable harnesses. The whole play area underwent a £60,000 refurbishment in spring 2008 which added extra equipment for children whatever their needs. A skateboard ramp was built in 2000 due to the enthusiasm of local teenagers who raised funds for its construction. There
385-593: A 2k fun run . In March 2009, the nominated 10k charity race was in aid of Cerebral Palsy Sport. In spring 2008 work began on a 4-cross cycle track which opened in May The track has been designed by Council engineers and members of the Free Riders 4-cross club and was partly funded by a £20,000 grant. A series of obstacles have been developed on a hillside including table tops, ski jumps, drop offs and double / triple jumps which will be to competition standards. It
440-422: A cost of £3.5 million. Originally, the site was meant to be used for housing, but the district council opposed the idea. It was then suggested that the site be used as a business park with landscaped surroundings. The Transport Heritage Centre was added as another idea to add greater interest to the site. In 1999 a part of the play area was destroyed by an arson attack. The damage cost £14,000 to repair but
495-538: A greener lifestyle. For children there is a tree identification trail, pond dipping, sensory trail, orienteering, adventure orienteering trail and a habitat walk (the ranger-led activities are dependent on the weather and staff availability). In August 1993 the park was officially handed over to Rushcliffe Borough Council by Nottinghamshire County Council. In fierce controversy the park was named 'Rushcliffe Country Park' whilst it had been known locally as 'Ruddington Country Park'. Many local residents still do not recognise
550-437: A succession of flowers attract bees , butterflies and many other insects. Small mammals also live within the meadows which creates a hunting ground for the birds of prey . To date, 262 species of moth , 23 species of butterfly and 130 species of birds have been recorded. There are a number of barn owl boxes throughout the park that attract little owls and kestrels . The 1082 plus species of flora and fauna give
605-523: A tree identification trail, a sensory walk, and the carving of seats and other features, as well as conservation work such as hedge laying. The Friends of Rushcliffe Park also submitted a bid for lottery funding to provide fitness equipment for adults. This bid was ultimately unsuccessful but the project went ahead anyway. The adult fitness trail is located near the children's park area. Rangers provide educational talks to local groups on environmental topics and there are also exhibitions explaining how to live
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#1732782997858660-405: A wider area than the settlements, and is geographically characterised by much low-lying terrain used for farmland. The land is generally 30–40 m (98–131 ft) above sea level, extending from the flat Ruddington Moor area in the south, to the elevated Grange area which contains Mickleborough Hill, the highest point at 70 m (230 ft). Administratively, Ruddington Parish Council manage
715-462: Is a 'lost village' once located where present-day Flawforth Lane changes direction at a right angle . Its most notable feature was St. Peter's Church which eventually fell into disrepair and was pulled down in the late 18th century, the foundations currently marked out in the ground at the site. Along with the lane and a no through road (Flawforth Ave), the placename variations live on in the names of present-day nearby farms. The civil parish covers
770-508: Is a small refreshment stand close by, along with public toilets . There is a man-made lake fed from a culvert (Gibsons Dyke) with reed beds covering two hectares , which serve as an important habitat for many species of birds and insect life. The park is an ideal place to spot wildlife in a natural habitat. The park hosts several annual events, including a kite festival (which also boasts vintage fairground rides, farmers market and craft fair) and an annual 10k charity race including
825-581: Is an open park space covering approximately 210 acres (0.85 km ), located on Mere Way just south of Ruddington in the borough of Rushcliffe , Nottinghamshire , England. The park has maintained the Green Flag award for twelve years; the National Standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. Originally the area was a boggy waterland. In the 18th century it was drained into
880-578: Is intended that the track will be used for competitions, race meetings, daytime and evening school sessions as well as for public use. It will be one of only eight tracks based in the United Kingdom. An Environmental Education Centre was officially opened in 2005 and is designed to be energy neutral. The project was financed by Nottinghamshire County Council Two Iskra AT5-1 wind turbines were installed in February 2005 which generate power with
935-427: Is now situated on the site of the disused Ministry of Defence depot. The buildings were reduced to rubble when the park was reclaimed and designed by Nottinghamshire County Council . The rubble was used to landscape the site, almost 140,000 trees were planted and a 70,000 m lake created. Some areas, including Fowemer Hill were raised by 7 metres. Work began in 1989 and the park was finally completed in 1993 at
990-466: Is the only serious piece of willful damage to date. It is now managed by Rushcliffe Borough Council with a team of full-time rangers and volunteers. The park is a natural habitat for wildlife, including a family of swans who first took up residence in May 1996 and is also used as an open space for recreational activities. It is open 365 days of the year although the car park has opening times dependent on
1045-541: The 2023 election , the composition of the council was: Of the five independent councillors, three sit together as the "Leake Independents" group and two sit together as the "Bingham Independents" group. The next election is due in 2027. The council is based at the Ruscliffe Arena on Rugby Road in West Bridgford. The building is a combined leisure centre and council headquarters. The council moved into
1100-474: The Local Government Act 1972 . The new district covered the whole area of two former districts and part of a third, which were all abolished at the same time: The new district was named after the ancient Rushcliffe Wapentake , which had covered part of the area. Rushcliffe means "cliff where brushwood grows", from Old English hris "brushwood" and clif "cliff". The new Rushcliffe district
1155-628: The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre which is open every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter Sunday to late October, with its collection of steam trains and classic buses . There are numerous recreational activities within the park including three Natural Heritage Trails of varying length which are followed by markers: A play area for children was built in 1996 at a cost of £180,000 and now has over twenty pieces of play equipment including two items of play equipment designed for disabled visitors, specifically
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#17327829978581210-590: The Waltham transmitter and the Nottingham relay transmitter. Radio stations for the area are: Rushcliffe Spencer Academy and West Bridgford school have ranked regularly in the top 100 comprehensive schools in the UK for GCSE results. In 2014 West Bridgford was ranked at 63rd of all comprehensives in the UK with 83% achieving '5+ A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths GCSEs' and Rushcliffe 81st in
1265-535: The 1980s and the site was redeveloped in 1993 into Rushcliffe Country Park and Ruddington Fields Business Park. Ruddington railway station was on the former Great Central Railway (later part of the London & North Eastern Railway ), the last main line to be built from the north of England to London , opened on 15 March 1899. The station closed on 4 March 1963 but the line remained operational for passenger traffic until 5 May 1969 and for freight until 1974. The line
1320-438: The A60 road briefly, then following a private farm road to the south of the business park and along farm plots and reaching Fairham Brook at Ruddington Moor. Bradmore , Bunny and East Leake lie to the south of the parish; Gotham to the south west; Barton-in-Fabis to the west; Clifton to the north west; Wilford , Wilford Hill and West Bridgford to the north; Edwalton to the north east; Tollerton and Plumtree to
1375-617: The Elms Park estate, Manor Park, the newer Wheatley Fields estate, and Brook Hill which is a thin line of ribbon development almost contiguous with Clifton. The village conservation area of 20.5 hectares was first designated in 1970, and stretches from Manor Park, and through the historic centre to more recent buildings on the A60 Loughborough Road. There are also several Grade II listed buildings of note - St Peter's Church, period knitters workshops and cottages, as well as
1430-676: The Nottingham Castle Museum. St Mary's was first established in Ruddington village as a manor chapel in around 1292-94 attached to the adjacent manor house (now the Hermitage), the lord of the manor at the time overseeing the building. It was eventually renamed as St Peter's Church after the Flawford church, due to disrepair, was pulled down in 1773–79. Ruddington's association with the knitting industry had begun by
1485-547: The Ruddington Grange manor house, which established the hamlet of the same name. White's Directory in 1853 records George Augustus Parkyns , as the principal owner, and lord of the manor of Ruddington. Ruddington Hall was built in 1860, by Thomas Cross from Bolton who was a banker and Justice of the Peace , he owned it until his death in 1879. In 1880 an American merchant, Philo Laos Mills . purchased and resided at
1540-458: The UK with 82% achieving 5 A*-C in 2014. The Becket School (partly geographically outside the Rushcliffe district), West Bridgford School and Rushcliffe Spencer Academy get A level results for 'Average point score per A level student (full-time equivalent)' in the top 10% of all schools in the UK, comprehensive or selective, better than many English grammar schools . These scores are in
1595-516: The area as the first tier of local government , Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council providing successively higher level services. Rushcliffe Country Park , an area developed on the now decommissioned Ruddington Depot , along with the Ruddington Fields Business Park which hosts several national businesses, both lay to the south of the main village. Other industrial sectors include units in
1650-710: The borough is in the Rushcliffe constituency. The north-eastern part of the borough around Bingham and surrounding villages is in the Newark constituency. South-east of Nottingham , the Rushcliffe boundary splits from the City of Nottingham boundary near the Holme Pierrepont Watersports Centre and then follows the River Trent to near RAF Syerston , which is the most northern part of
1705-597: The boundary in the north western corner of the parish, Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve creates a brief deviation with a line of trees before the GCR route meets the existing NET tram route by the A52 trunk road. The north parish border runs alongside the A52 easterly before diverting at Lings Bar roundabout, mirroring Flawforth Lane to the historical St. Peter's church site before branching off south of Crockhill Wood, meeting and tracing
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1760-583: The city, and the south and east which is predominantly rural, which stretches to the Leicestershire border. Many of these villages lie in the Vale of Belvoir . The Grantham Canal threads from nearby Grantham through Rushcliffe to the River Trent . Villages in the Vale of Belvoir include Redmile , Hickling , Harby , Stathern and Langar . Geographically, the River Soar marks the divide between
1815-411: The council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Rushcliffe. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 2005 have been: Following
1870-709: The district, although Syerston the village itself is in the Newark and Sherwood district. It meets the River Devon near Cotham , then follows this river to the east southwards to where it meets the Leicestershire boundary. To the south, the Leicestershire/Rushcliffe boundary crosses the runways of the former RAF Langar with most of the airfield in Rushcliffe. Rushcliffe is split between an urbanised north-west, containing suburbs of Greater Nottingham that have not been incorporated into
1925-598: The east; and Keyworth to the south east. There is evidence of occupation in the area during the Bronze Age ( c. 1500 BC ). The toponym "Ruddington" comes from Old English and means "the estate of the people of Rudda". In the Domesday Book in AD 1086, Ruddington's population entry recorded around 250 people. Most were involved in agriculture and this way of life changed little for many hundreds of years,
1980-595: The excess sold to the National Grid whilst Solar Power is used for water heating along with a Biomass Boiler. Composting toilets have also been installed. Rushcliffe Country Park has received awards for its effective energy management. Gibbies Wood is an area of the park covering 4.5 hectares named after Arthur Gibson, which is part of the Natural Heritage Project and also a BTCV award-winning project. The area appeared to be returning to
2035-546: The hall. He was appointed High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1897. It was a hospital during the Second World War until 1980, when it was bought and converted into offices, and is in use today as the head office for a local business. The Village Hall was constructed between 1912 and 1913 to the designs of the architect William Herbert Higginbottom . The Misses Paget gave £800 of the £1,100 (equivalent to £137,600 in 2023) construction cost. Sellors' Playing Field
2090-411: The knitters and families. The 1851 census showed that half of the heads of households in the village were involved in the occupation. Framework knitting in the village declined towards the end of the 19th century as steam-powered machines developed and factories provided large-scale competition to the manual methods still being employed by the villagers. Charles Paget , local Nottingham MP, in 1828 built
2145-702: The new building in December 2016 and the leisure centre opened the following month. From 1982 to 2016 the council was based at Rushcliffe Civic Centre on Pavilion Road in West Bridgford, overlooking Trent Bridge . That building had been built in 1966 as a hotel called the Bridgford Hotel. Since the last boundary changes in 2023 the council has comprised 44 councillors representing 24 wards , with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. The wards are: The borough straddles two parliamentary constituencies. Most of
2200-702: The north of the Manor Park area and the Artex head office on the southern edge of the Wheatley Fields housing development. Fairham Brook forms the south and west boundaries of the parish, meeting the Nottingham city border before flowing under the Fairham Bridge which links Ruddington and Clifton. Its subsidiary stream Packman Dyke becomes the border for a short distance, before meeting the former Great Central Railway track alignment which becomes
2255-483: The park SINC Status ( Site of Importance for Nature Conservation ) and Natural England have confirmed the park has Nature Reserve Status. The Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park is a voluntary group formed in October 1997 and a registered charity which meets regularly and carries out improvement projects and conservation work. Recent projects have included the creation of a Garden of Friendship, willow sculptures,
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2310-458: The park by its official name, preferring to use its previous title. In March 2008 a petition was started to prevent the felling of several poplar and sycamore trees along the edge of the A60 . It was concluded that twelve poplar trees could pose a danger to traffic as they were stressed and the sycamore trees had taken over the available space restricting the growth of other trees and had killed
2365-514: The population marginally increasing by the 17th century to only approximately 320. Open field lands were reallocated amongst the inhabitants in 1767. There are 1st century Roman remains of a large villa at Flawford. The first known St. Peter's church dates from the 9th century and was built over the foundations of the villa, this was a shared church also catering to the nearby villages of Edwalton, Plumtree and Keyworth. Alabaster church effigy pieces were found here in 1779 and are presently kept at
2420-477: The regional Greater Nottingham conurbation due to their close proximity to the city. The core built up area is about a mile in diameter. The B680 road from Wilford is the main thoroughfare in the village, and turns off to meet with the A60 on the outskirts. The key shops and facilities are located along the High Street, Church Street and Dutton's Hill roads. The Green is a small village green park area to
2475-430: The rural identity as a village and prevent it being subsumed into the adjoining suburban village of Clifton and town of West Bridgford . It maintains this through a variety of local amenities such as several shops, schools, public houses, community centre, village hall and churches within the village centre. There are 2 urban areas, and a former village within the parish borders. These areas are considered to be within
2530-448: The south of these. Other parks include the Elms Park football and cricket ground, St Mary's, Vicarage Lane Playing Field, and Sellors’ Playing Field which hosts the annual village fair. There is a war memorial and garden within the St. Peter's Church grounds, and various museums (see Museums section below) hosting insights into the history and heritage of the village. Residential areas include
2585-542: The start of the 19th century after the invention of the knitting frame in Nottinghamshire. The industry attracted new inhabitants and the population grew to 2,500 during this time as an associated extension to lace manufacture. New houses and frameshops, including the site occupied by the present-day Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum (see the Museums section below) were built to provide homes and workspace for
2640-403: The time of year. The car park was improved in early 2009 to improve safety and again in 2018 to create an additional 20 spaces. There are over 5 miles (8 km) of pathways situated between landscaped areas, grassland, wildflower meadows, community gardens and woodlands which are used by walkers, joggers and cyclists . The park is also located next to Ruddington Fields Business Park and
2695-568: The top 2% for all UK comprehensives. Sutton Bonington is in the south of the district, which has the Sutton Bonington Campus of the University of Nottingham . [REDACTED] Media related to Rushcliffe at Wikimedia Commons 52°54′N 1°03′W / 52.90°N 1.05°W / 52.90; -1.05 Rushcliffe Country Park Rushcliffe Country Park [REDACTED] ( Grid Reference SK577320)
2750-503: The towns of Bingham and Cotgrave as well as numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Some of the built-up areas in the north-west of the borough, including West Bridgford, form part of the Nottingham Urban Area . The neighbouring districts are Broxtowe , Nottingham , Gedling , Newark and Sherwood , Melton , Charnwood , North West Leicestershire and Erewash . The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under
2805-430: The two counties. The former West Bridgford Urban District is an unparished area . The rest of the borough is divided into civil parishes . The parish councils for Bingham and Cotgrave take the style "town council". Some of the smaller parishes have a parish meeting rather than a parish council. In terms of television, Rushcliffe is served by BBC East Midlands and ITV Central with television signals received from
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#17327829978582860-419: Was also constructed. After being decommissioned in 1945 the site was used for auctioning redundant ex-military vehicles and equipment, with the depot finally closing in 1983. The auctions were known nationally and were held every eight weeks; each auction lasted for about a week and their popularity caused them to be advertised in the national press, which attracted dealers from all over the country. The park
2915-420: Was gifted to the village via the parish council in 1947 by Frederick Sellors, the annual Wakes Funfair being held on the site since 1968. Ruddington expanded further between the wars and after as new housing estates were built at the edge of the village. The Ordnance Supply and Disposal Depot opened at the start of World War II and occupied a large area on the southern outskirts of the village. The depot closed in
2970-447: Was granted borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor. Rushcliffe Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Nottinghamshire County Council . Most of the borough is also covered by civil parishes , which form a third tier of local government. The council has been under Conservative majority control since 1999. The first election to
3025-508: Was subsequently dismantled north of Ruddington, but the section south to Loughborough remains in existence as a heritage railway (see Nottingham Heritage Railway Museums entry below). Ruddington is notable for being the home of three museums. Rushcliffe Rushcliffe is a local government district with borough status in south Nottinghamshire , England. Its council is based in West Bridgford . The borough also includes
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