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Celebrating those who help others

July 10th : A beautiful service of celebration today at All Saints Church followed by the Party in the Park, a special event celebrating Rutland’s Armed Forces, veterans, emergency services and volunteers with money raised for local and National Charities. A parade from the church to the park was led by the fifes and drums of our local regiment, the 2nd Royal Anglians:

During the subsequent ‘Party in the Park’ at Cutts Close, Oakham, the free entertainment included the fantastic ‘Bluebird Belles’:

The Bluebird Belles got all ages up and dancing- even including some of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch, all of them military veterans, who had earlier joined the parade from Oakham Church riding their splendid machines.

Here they are with the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, raising a toast to Her Majesty the Queen.

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Outstanding Rutland concerts

8th & 9th July; Two delightful concerts organised in Rutland by Arts for the Heart of England. First, Sound the Trumpet at All Saints Church, Oakham featured the virtuosity of trumpeter Crispsin Steele Perkins & organist David Hill, along with a fascinating historical demonstration of the development of the trumpet:

Then on 9th July we had a phenomenal choral concert in the historic church of St Peter & St Paul at Exton:

Rutland’s diversity was well illustrated by the simultaneous and adjacent ‘Extonbury’ open-air rock concert. A very different musical event! But thanks to the acoustics of our ancient churches we didn’t disturb each other at all.

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Fine stone, manufactured in Rutland

6th July: Visited the renowned workshop of James Elliot, with Mark Andrews, CEO of RCC. James is perhaps most famous locally for creating the new tombstone for King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral, but his fine stonework travels the world. His is a great example of how market-leading entrepreneurs can thrive in Rutland. Also how dyslexia is just a cognitive difference and one that can sometimes help you to excel in your chosen field. James provided fascinating insights into the problems he had to overcome.

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Rutland Water Volunteer Centre

The Volunteer Centre ⁦at Rutland Water Nature Reserve⁩ just⁩ celebrated 7 years of providing training & helping, to understand and increase biodiversity. To mark the occasion volunteer Joan Brady gave a beautiful painting ⁦of a particularly tranquil part of Rutland Water.

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Foodbank activists

July 1st: Thanks are due to volunteers collecting for the Rutland Foodbank outside Tesco, Oakham, today.

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‘Freedom’ for Sir Laurence

June 27th: Sir Laurence Howard was awarded the ‘Freedom of Rutland’ at a delightful event hosted by ⁦Rutland Council⁩ ⁦at Oakham Castle⁩ . Sir Laurence & Lady Howard have done so much in and for Rutland. ‘Team Howard’ are held in great affection & esteem. Congratulations.

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CAMRA in Rutland

25 – 25 June: CAMRA’s official beer festival comes to Rutland. 30 different Real Ales, along with wine, champagne, morris dancing, barbeque – all taking place ⁦at Rutland Museum.⁩ ⁦

While there I was delighted to meet ⁦Adam Croft⁩ , author of of the compelling mystery Stories set in beautiful Rutland. I was excited to hear that next Rutland book is being written. Will our Rutland ⁦beer festival get a mention? Adam supports local businesses so get your copy locally.