The Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held on Sunday, April 7th. Progress towards the repair of the church roof was reported on, as well as the future installation of a toilet and kitchenette. Work on the roof should commence in the early summer. Thank you to everyone who has fundraised or donated to the roof fund. Life in the church continues to be busy; a wedding and a baptism are booked for later this year and a further wedding for the following year is to be confirmed. Social events a...

"New for this Month" This month's May offering - for those who love fast-paced spy thrillers, there are: 'Triple' and 'Lie Down With Liars', both by Ken Follett. The first set in the late 1960's covers the most successful espionage coup and best kept secret of that century; the second set in the early 1980's covers the Afghans' fight against the Russians. Bonus Book - Good Housekeeping's 'Complete Book of Pasta' By way of a reminder, books are available at the back of the...

Litter Pick - Thank you to everyone who joined the litter-picking on Saturday, February 16th and especially to Richard and Debra for organising and hosting and to Shelagh for the delicious cake. A good result from the Village Litter Collection Team Heritage Apple Trees - Thanks to all the volunteers for their assistance in planting, mulching and pruning the 8 local heritage apple trees comprising the community orchard on the church lawn. Thanks also to the Stamford Community Orchard Group...

The Funeral service for Ian Fullalove will be held at Grantham Crematorium, Harrowby Road, Grantham NG31 9DT on Monday, March 4th at 12:30pm. The reception will be held afterwards at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, Exton, Oakham, LE15 8AH from 14:00. We have been informed by his family that Ridlington residents and friends are all most welcome to attend both the service and/or the reception. Ian had not lived in Ridlington long, but during his time here contributed to and played a full part in vi...

The Ridlington Apple Tree Planters! On Sunday February 20th, some 'hardy' villagers came out and braved the cold weather to plant a community orchard on the church lawn. A total of 8 local heritage apple trees, a mixture of dessert and cooking, were obtained from Stamford Community Orchard Group. This is a National Lottery funded project. We look forward to harvesting our produce in due course. Many thanks to all those who helped in this worthy exercise. Richard Thatcher

Debra Thatcher represented the village at a Stamford Community Orchard Group Information and Training Day held at Ketton in November, where the attendees were treated to samples of delicious apple juice, cider vinegar, dried apple slices and dried pears. We were told that the fruit trees for the community orchard to be supplied with funding from "Awards for All", were local heritage varieties on semi-dwarfing root stock, so will grow to a maximum of 12 feet, making them, in due course, ...

On Sunday November 11th 2018 the Reverend Dr. Pippa Madgwick led the congregation of 56 parishioners and visitors in a service of remembrance and thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to the hostilities of World War I. The Ridlington Choir performed, under the direction of Martin Wall, a selection of well known songs from that conflict, and the Rutland Poppy project presented the Church with a permanent memorial, the Poppy Horseshoe, which will remain i...