Remembrance day

The 11th day of the 11th month was marked by a large crowd at Oakham Castle, marking two minutes of silence at 11am today.

Rutland is a proud military county with up to 25% of the population having military connections – serving, veteran or in the family of either.

It was an honour to lay several wreaths around Rutland on behalf of the University of Leicester, which is unique in being founded 100 years ago as an act of Remembrance. Rutland supported its foundation and our symbolic horseshoe is part of the university crest. Below in St Mary’s Church, Greetham.

The Veterans’ Breakfast Club is back!

6th November: Suspended during the Covid pandemic, it’s great that the Oakham Armed Forces Verterans’ Breakfast Club is back.

An amazing breakfast this morning, a full Grainy and around 100 attendees. Thank you to The Grainy for all their support and hard work. Envelopes with poppy seeds were given to everyone, to plant wherever they like. Lest we forget. Thanks to Mark Taylor.

British Empire Medal award

29th October. Awarding a British Empire Medal on behalf of her Majesty The Queen is always a great pleasure. It is an honour bestowed for an individual’s beneficial impact on their community. Congratulations to Janet Thompson of Uppingham for her work through the Covid 19 pandemic and all she does, notably with the Brownies.

Cadet Investiture

18th October: I was delighted to invest my three new Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets at Oakham castle. Thanks to my demitting cadets, the support of East Midlands RFCA, the Army, RAF Engagement and 617_Sqn.

I’m pleased that all three cadets provided support at the Rutland Justice service the next day.

Music for a Royal Occasion

9th October – A great preview for the Diamond Jubilee. ‘Music for a Royal Occasion’. It was an enormous privilege to have the London Bach Choir Voices in All Saints’ church in Oakham thanks to ⁦Rutland’s High Sherriff, ⁩ conductor David Hill & all the singers.

Festival of Remembrance

2nd October, Leicestershire Police tweeted:

Rutland has an exciting opportunity to attend the festival of remembrance on the 30th Oct at De Montfort Hall. Book your tickets and email LL@rutlandlordlieutenant.org to secure a bus place.

Oakham’s best garden?

30th September – Outside space & gardens have become all the more important for all since Covid19. So congratulations to Bruce & Liz Allison for winning ⁦the Oakham in Bloom⁩ best garden award! Thanks also to all for making Oakham & area so floriferous- it’s much appreciated by all.

Queen’s Award for Enterprise

28th September: Our very first Rutland winner of the most prestigious business award, the Queen’s Award For Enterprise, won by Oakham based The Wool Room – for international trade. I hope there will be more Rutland winners – we are an entrepreneurial county.