LL News Blog

August 3rd: Having had a big walk in Spain cancelled by Covid, Rutland’s High Sheriff has decided to walk with Nick Clarke and volunteers from the Police Cadets to promote the delights of beautiful Rutland by walking all around our county, in aid of the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation. Please support them by giving at: http://JustGiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Cole16 .

August 2nd: Flossie our dog was delighted to join me (wearing her best Burberry lead) in Uppingham for ‘Social Sunday’: an opportunity to meet, eat & greet in socially distanced fashion in the market square.

August 2nd: A great honour to represent Her Majesty The Queen & present the British Empire Medal to David Ainslie of Uppingham, at a (socially distanced) ceremony at The Falcon Hotel. Amongst many other good works, David has been the driving force in establishing & running the hopper bus, a free service for all in Uppingham

August 2nd: Great to be back at ‘The Grainy’, Oakham for the (socially distanced!) 2nd birthday of the Oakham Veterans Breakfast Club. Beautiful breakfasts and lots to catch up on – camaraderie & solidarity, good for mental health & well-being. Thanks to Mark & Tracey & #Grainy.

July 16th: A great pleasure to be at The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham for Uppingham #Rotary Club’s (socially distanced) award of the Paul Harris Fellowship for distinguished service to the community (posthumously) to Robert Wills. who did so much for Uppingham – and to my delight, also to me. I feel deeply pleased & honoured.

July 10th – Today in 1940 the Battle of Britain started. Thanks to all who served for our democracy. There seems something fitting in it being today that Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn is laid to rest.

June 27th – Armed Forces Day. No parades, parties or services this year because of Covid, but a big thanks to our military who are appreciated more than ever. Rutland is proud to be home to @7thRats @617_Sqn @MWD_News, many #veterans & our neighbours RAF_Wittering. Rutland says thank you!

The usual flag-raising ceremony could not be open to the public this year, because of the Covid lock-down restrictions; but we held and filmed a socially-distanced private ceremony at Oakham Castle. You can join in by viewing the video here:

A formal dinner for 70 people, taking place during Covid lock-down thanks to the ‘Zoom’ videoconferencing software! Including live music by Vicky and John of ‘The Romantics’! Is this a first?

Congratulations to #Uppingham#Rotary & their ingenious new President Ron Simpson for organising the event. Thanks also to staff from ⁦@TheFalconHotel⁩ who donated time food & expertise voluntarily, in support of ⁦@DyingMatters⁩ #Rutland and @Warning_Zone. And thanks to the volunteers who delivered that food to our homes all over Rutland!

May 12th: Enormous thanks to all nurses on International Nurses Day 2020. Coronavirus has brought home to us all how important nursing care is and what a skill it is – whether in the community, hospital, hospice or care homes.

May 11th – What will happen to everybody but we do not like to talk about…? This week is @DyingMatters week… Talking about dying does not make it happen, but can empower us to have a better death & help those around us to know what we want & need. Dying Matters in Rutland is a new group to help.

May 8th – Here’s to #VictoryinEurope! 75 years on and now ‘locked down’ due to the Covid pandemic, but we can still join in the joy and relief that the war in Europe is over! Cheers!

You can see part of my own contribution to the socially-distanced street party celebrations. The High Sheriff and I think we are going to have quite a task judging the most colourful & most patriotic contributions! There seem to be lots of imaginative efforts being made across Rutland.

Thanks to my two Lord Lieutenant cadets for joining me virtually to commemorate & celebrate VEDay75; Cdt Sgt Antony Lees & Cdt Sgt Alice Weaver. So frustrating that such outstanding cadets are not getting the opportunities & experiences they deserve due to Covid19.