A BIG THANK YOU to those involved in our Christmas celebrations, who planned services; cleaned and decorated the church; provided flowers and greenery; rang the bells; read, sang and played; provided refreshments; and joined in our worship.

Thanks also to those who have volunteered to be on rotas in 2026 – we couldn’t function without you!

Back by popular demand!  Join us in the village hall on Saturday, 10th January between 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm for a choice of three soups (red, amber and green), bread and cheese scones.  We ask for a minimum donation of £5 for church funds.

We hope to arrange a social event/fundraiser for the Church on the second Saturday of each month in the hope that the monies raised will cover the insurance premium for the year.  Please do support these events.

What a lovely selection of cards and greetings adorned the Church porch. Thank you to everyone who gave a card and donation.

A grand total of £160 was raised with the village Christmas card scheme to be shared between the three village charities – Church, Playing Field and Village Hall.

Debra

A new year begins, and with it another chapter in the life of our village. The turning of the seasons reminds us how much we value the everyday connections that make this community what it is – familiar faces, shared events, and the quiet support we offer one another.

This magazine is one small way of keeping those connections alive: a place to share news, mark milestones, and reflect village life as it is lived. Whether you are closely involved in parish activities or simply enjoy knowing what is going on locally, we hope you will find something here that feels relevant and welcoming.

As the year unfolds, may it bring opportunities to gather, to look out for one another, and to strengthen the sense of belonging that makes Ridlington such a special place to call home.

A volunteer is needed to take on the role of village magazine correspondent.  For many years Annie Harvey has collated pieces for the Rutland Water Benefice magazine (recently renamed as Rutland Water Parish Magazine) and passed them to the magazine editor prior to publication date.

For the most part these pieces have been provided by Trustees of the three village charities – they just need a prompt!

Please contact Debra if you can help and if you need further information on what this position entails.

Many thanks,

 

The Foodbank has advised that the  supplies are very low for the following items in particular.

UHT milk (blue and green)
Pump hand soap

The next collection from the Church porch will be Wednesday, 7th January.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Debra.

Hi All,

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year and many of you before that too.  If you ordered meat to be collected for Christmas we are open on December 23rd from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for you to collect your orders.

We will also have a good range of Frozen Beef, Lamb and Venison, which you are welcome to come and  browse and buy.  We are restocking with Castle Chase Lamb this afternoon. If you would like to buy anything fresh feel free to contact me.

We are around all over the Christmas New Year Period and very happy for you to ring or text if you would like to pop in and shop with us.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday and possibly over the holiday period.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

With kindest regards,
Sue and the Castle Chase Team.

Sue Scott
Scott & Scott (Ayston) Ltd
Home Farm, Preston Lane, Ayston, Oakham.  LE15 9BL
Tel: 07803 000 465
http://www.castlechase.co.uk
http://castlechase.sumupstore.com (Online Shop Link)

It is traditional at Christmas to have a ghost story (or two) – this is one with a difference. “The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson is well written with a good plot.

Our second book, more a reminder of summer holidays, a detective novel set in the Norfolk Broads – “Broadland” by David Blake, the first in a series of DI Tanner novels, is a recommended read.

Our third offering, another in the series of the elderly detectives Bryant and May and the Peculiar Crimes Unit “The Memory of Blood” by Christopher Fowler combines a whodunnit with the history of the London theatre and the origins of Punch and Judy.