An amazing NGS charity success!

May 19th: Thanks to all visitors to the Old Vicarage garden Whissendine, which we opened for NGS Open Gardens! Thanks also to BBC Gardener’s World and Monty Don – the television appearance the previous Friday meant we had 900 visitors (over twice the usual number). £4565 was raised for NGS charities.  Delicious tea and cakes from the team at St Andrew’s Church made a further £2,000 + for the church. Brilliant!

BBC Gardener’s World visits my garden!

I had a visit from BBC Gardener’s World on 8th May! Our Rutland garden, the Old Vicarage at Whissendine, will feature on Gardeners World this Friday and will be open to the public with all funds going to charity as part of the National Gardens scheme on Sunday – all very exciting!

Music from pupils of Uppingham School

May 12th: Chamber music of a very high calibre was brought to the church in Morcott  this afternoon by pupils of Uppingham School.  The programme included  Williams’ music for Schindler’s List, which was amazing.  So too was Gounod’s Petite Symphony.  Thanks to talented players & all organisers.  The cake was excellent as well!

New facility for bird sanctuary

May 12th: I was invited to open a new shallow water double-decker hide at Rutland Water near Lyndon.  It provides the best view of an osprey nest. Thanks to a donation in memory of Helene Arnold by partner Mike Gale & grants  from Augeanplc Kingscliffe & Thornhaugh environmental association. And hard work from Leics Wildlife.

Guiding Awards

May 12th: Great achievers – Guides gain confidence & skills & have fun. It was a pleasure to present the awards, including D of E gold.  Congratulations to all.

Queen’s Awards training

May 8th:  We believe Rutland has great businesses but not enough applicants for an award which can ‘turbo charge’ a business. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious business award. Rutland Lieutenancy is determined that great Rutland businesses learn how to apply well.  The Lieutenancy organised a ‘how to do it’ meeting at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel on how best to apply, with contributions from QAE officers and recent local winners – Fairfax Saddles, Photocentric, Anglian Water, Welland Power. Thanks to all speakers and attendees.

Oakham United FC

May 5th: Awards evening for Oakham United football club. Congratulations to all players, managers & coaches & supporters. A great venue, two pitches & several teams in Barleythorpe. With new Chairman Thomas Beach this club has exciting plans.

Rutland Community Service

Congratulations to Margaret Miles, Rutland’s new High Sheriff, for an engaging & inclusive community service in Uppingham Church, celebrating all those in Rutland who work to support our community.  ‘The Haringtones’, a barbershop quartet from  Harington School, were brilliant. It was good to hear about the good work being done by Rotaract and Warning Zone.  Over 250 people attended – a great turn-out, thanks to all!

Spitfire Solo in Oakham

We had a riveting evening of theatre, music & film at Rutland Museum on Friday. Nicholas Collett showed his mettle as a Royal Shakespeare Company actor in a one man show bringing to life pivotal moments of the Battle of Britain, through a Spitfire pilot’s life at the time and subsequent events….

Thanks to Centre Stage, Arts Council support and all involved for bringing a wonderful performance to Rutland

CiCLEClassic starts in Oakham!

April 28th – the 15th year of the international cycle road race CiCLEClassic started in Oakham today. 180 cyclists & 180 volunteers in support. It is fantastic for Rutland, which provides so many opportunities for cycling at all levels, to see cycling of highest standard.

Thanks for having me start the race and to all involved.