The Framework Knitters, Museum in Ruddington, Nottingham is celebrating having been awarded £234,500 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £82,952 from FCC Communities Foundation for an exciting new project called, ‘A Right Good Yarn’. As the museum approaches its 50th anniversary, this project will see the site revitalised with many opportunities for people to learn, benefit and get involved.
About ‘A Right Good Yarn’
Over the next 2 years, the project will expand the museum into an adjacent property and redevelop parts of the existing space. New displays and exhibitions will be delivered along with an improved visitor route connecting the three spaces and offering better retail and catering facilities.
The museum’s Manager and Curator, Jim Grevatte, commented: ‘The Framework Knitters Museum is a unique, surviving example of a 19th century framework knitters’ yard, which tells the story of framework knitting from inception to obsolescence. “A Right Good Yarn” marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in our 50 year history as a museum – and we’re keen to the local community to get involved.
“You’re invited to help us achieve our goal and get involved in actively shaping a site that will benefit people and groups from our local area (and beyond) for generations to come.’
About our funders
The National Lottery Heritage Fund distributes National Lottery grants, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK’s heritage.
Anne Jenkins, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented: “We’re incredibly pleased to support the Framework Knitters’ Museum to expand their offer to visitors to mark their 50th anniversary. It’s also fantastic news that they are now able to reopen the Museum this month following the latest government guidelines, and can progress with providing families in Nottingham a day out to remember.”
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
A safe, socially distanced museum experience
Having been closed since lockdown began in March, the museum is due to reopen on Wednesday July 29th. During closure, the team has been developing a unique experience for visitors which will be fun, interesting and safe. From this date, visitors will be able to book the whole site for 2 hours to explore with their family or social bubble.
To make visiting as safe as possible, visitors will wear (knitted) cotton gloves as they explore the workers’ cottages and collections. Staff will be wearing gloves and high tech knitted masks courtesy of Nottingham textile innovators Footfalls and Heartbeats. Between each group’s visit, the site will be cleaned thoroughly and hand sanitiser will be available.
Every visitor will have the opportunity to knit their own souvenir on an antique circular knitting machine. We are encouraging everyone to take their knitting home and share what they make with it on social media. Our favourite creation will then become part of the museum’s permanent collection and take its place in textile history.
Activities for all the family
Your family will be able to discover how knitters’ families lived and younger visitors can try our Mouse Hunt to uncover clues about the children that lived here 150 years ago. Recent research has revealed how children worked from as young as 6 to help their parents make a living.
In our historic workshops, you can still see the amazing centuries-old knitting frames in action. Our Frame Demonstrator will show you just how our ancestors made garments for everyone from WW1 veterans to the King himself. You can appreciate just how noisy, hot and tiring a 14 hour shift would have been from a safe distance (and without having to knit a stitch yourself!).
To make a booking, please visit the museum website and pick a 2 hour slot on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 29th July.
Keep in touch
For the latest updates on “A Right Good Yarn” and to keep up with other museum news and events, please visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk. You can also like our Facebook page (search for ‘Framework Knitters Museum’ and follow us on Twitter @FrameKnitter, where we’ll be posting updates and photos as the project progresses.
