Loros is expanding!

It was exciting to see the expansion of this facility since I visited as High Sheriff 2 years ago! A new building for day care should be finished in October; the new education centre is already in use. How valuable it is to make this precious last part of life as good as possible. The new training centre spreads best practice.

Gardens make everyone feel better!  This one was designed by Rutlanders Rose Dejardin & Pauline Pitts for the Hampton Court Flower Show, where it won a Silver Medal. Now transported back to LOROS, it goes on giving pleasure to the seriously ill patients, friends & family & staff.

Leicester University Degree Show

I attended one of Leicester University’s degree shows yesterday. Congratulations to all graduating! All good wishes for your future lives.

Rutland donors  helped found Leicester University in 1918;  as a result it was originally known as the Leicester & Rutland College.   Which is why the Rutland horseshoe (the right way up and complete with the correct seven nail-holes!)  is visible in the University’s crest.

Leicester is one of only two universities in world to be founded as a tribute to the sacrifices of WW1.  It was founded as positive commemoration of young lives lost and 100 years later it is still contributing to our society.

De Montfort University Degree Show

Rutland was well represented at De Montfort University’s graduation ceremony yesterday. The photo shows Rutland’s High Sheriff, Sue Jarron & yours truly.  We very much enjoyed joining students for their degree ceremony.  Witnessing so many get their degrees makes for a powerful feel-good buzz. Congratulations to all!

Annual Guiding Awards

Guides gain skills, confidence & have fun! It was such a pleasure to meet so many from all over the Eastern Region the other night for the Guiding Awards. Congratulations to all! The picture is of Alexandra & Sophia helping me to cut the magnificent cake.

East of England farming – for children

Isn’t having fun the best way to learn? 6,000 kids visited the East of England Showground and learnt about the countryside & farming. It was a surprise to some to learn where milk comes from. Farming is essential but is not understood by city children. Thanks to Deputy Lieutenant Kathy Robinson who attended on my behalf.

Whissendine Six Road Race!

The annual Whissendine 6 race attracts runners from all over the Midlands and beyond. It has hills, great scenery and it starts & finishes in our lovely village of Whissendine. Add in a bottle of good beer (from The Grainstore in Oakham) and a glass for all the competitors who finish,  a lively village and a good pub (the White Lion did a roaring trade!) and the event was a guaranteed success.  It was a pleasure to hand out prizes to the winners.

New classrooms at Shires School

Shires School Oakham goes from strength to strength. Assisted by Sue Jarrom, High Sheriff of Rutland,  I was honoured to cut the ribbon to open their spectacular new purpose built classrooms. These will help in the mission to achieve as much independence possible for students who have severe autism.  The students are community minded and enjoy living in Oakham.

New Defence Rehabilitation Centre nears completion

The statue is of Major General Sir Robert Jones, an orthopaedic surgeon.  He developed early prosthetics and has this place of honour at the new Defence & National Clinical Rehabilitation Centre. Built at Stanford Hall (between Nottingham and Loughborough) to provide outstanding facilities for clinical specialist rehabilitation, principally for those injured in the course of military service. It is nearly complete, though as the image shows it’s still ‘hard hats’ for now.  And aren’t those safety boots fetching???

An American recruit to the UK – on American independence day

A great way to celebrate the 4th of July – American Independence day. Beth Chesterfield, born in the USA, celebrated by becoming a British citizen!

Pictured are Beth & yours truly after the Rutland ceremony.  This was my first British Citizenship ceremony as Lord-Lieutenant.  It was a great honour to be involved.

De Montfort University’s talented students

Impulse buys are always best! While visiting De Montfort University’s (fine art and crafts) Final Degree show I saw Angie Packer’s glass. She graduated last year and is ‘artist in residence’ this year. I bought her wave decanter to go on this mirrored table with two other pieces of glass…  stunning! Thanks Angie