September 8th:
I was proud to take the salute:
Beating Retreat in Oakham
A splendid collection of Rutland Honours
One of the great pleasures of being Lord-Lieutenant is that I am occasionally asked to present National Honours to Rutland residents on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. This year Rutlanders have been awarded a disproportionately large number of honours in relation to the size of our population – a reflection of our county’s volunteering spirit, I believe.
The Rutland Rotoract Family Support Group have won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for providing support to families with children with additional needs. Thanks to the Rutland Lions for providing abarbeque and the wonderful Pippa Owen.
The British Empire Medal (BEM) is awarded for outstanding service to the community.
Congratulations to Jacqui Darlington on being awarded her richly deserved British Empire Medal for her work over years setting up OHCRutland (a group helping young adults with additional needs to go out with peers, supported by age appropriate Leaders, to do what others take for granted), her work with Healthwatch Rutland Carers UK and much more!
It was great pleasure to award Archie Sains for stalwart #volunteer service over 18 years to Voluntary Action Rutland , LOROS Hospice , Rutland Council and at Rutland Museum .
Rutland’s Covid vaccination success
8th September: Rutland’s Vaccination Programme rolled out fast, had high uptake, largely thanks to enormous continued volunteer support. It must have saved many lives. I was delighted to thank Dr Hilary Fox, the local mastermind, and all our volunteers.
Merchant Navy Day 2021
3rd September – it’s always good to celebrate those who keep our country supplied; recent events have shown it’s still a dangerous job in some parts of the world, even in times of ‘peace’.
In a somewhat Covid-restricted ceremony we nevertheless raised the Red Duster at Oakham Castle. The flag was raised by Captain Robert Strick (on my right). I was particularly pleased that the Navy Regional Commander for Eastern England, Commodore Bellfield (on my left) was able to join us – marking the links between the Royal Navy & Merchant Navy.
Birthday Honours in Rutland
It is good that philanthropy, charitable effort & community support have been recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours. In Rutland we have received considerably more honours than might be expected from the size of our population. We should be especially proud of Sir William Adderley (Knight Bachelor); Ali Wainwright MBE (especially for work with the foodbank); Peter Lawson BEM and Janet Thompson BEM. Congratulations !
Veterans’ Breakfasts restart in Oakham
June 5th: It was so good to meet up with Rutland veterans along with with past and present High Sherriffs & Healthwatch Rutland, all outside The Grainy for the first breakfast club since Covid restrictions have been eased. ‘Zoom’ is nothing quite like seeing people in person – even if still socially distanced.
Rutland Rotaract gets a Queen’s Award
June 1st – in Volunteer’s Week, thank you to all of Rutland’s many wonderful volunteers. So many people make a huge difference unpaid in county & beyond.
Congratulations and thanks are due especially to Rutland Rotoract Family Support Centre for winning national and Royal recognition in the form of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This can be considered to the equivalent of being awarded an MBE for voluntary groups. It reflects the group’s outstanding support to special needs children & their families for 20 + years. Rutland is proud!
Planning Rutland’s Memorial Heritage Orchard
It was inspiring to visit an established heritage orchard at the Allerton Project. Thanks to expert Alastair Leake .
Rutland’s heritage memorial orchard, to be planted at the Rutland Showground, will be a special tribute to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
Work starts on D of E permanent memorial
Thanks to Hanson UK at Ketton for inviting me, sculptor Chris Groombridge & fund raiser Sinclair Rogers to choose a stone for the base of a centrepiece for Rutland’s memorial heritage orchard, which will be a permanent tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. The orchard will be planted this coming winter at the Rutland Showground
Ketton Bereavement Point
24th May – Opening the Ketton Bereavement Point run by trained volunteers with help from all 3 of Rutland’s hospices: Dove Cottage Hospice, Thorpe Hall and LOROS. This service will be friendly accessible & safe & provides comfort & companionship to the bereaved. See Dying matters.
