29th November: I was delighted to attend a Rutland tree planting for The Queen’s Green Canopy with the Weatherby Family – and dogs – who supplied the site and the hornbeams. They also & invited Rutland Rotaract Family Support members to join in. This was a great opportunity to mark Her Majesty’s 70 year reign and to help the environment.
Thanks to All Saints’ volunteers
29th November:
29th November: Volunteers are the glue that help make communities work. We had a great evening of saxophone music on Saturday to celebrate the contribution of over 50 volunteers who help run and maintain All Saints’ Church in Oakham. Thanks to Adam & Julie Lowe, whose idea this was; to the Take3 Saxophone Trio & the Rutland Saxophone Choir.
Defence Employer Recognition
25th November: Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants from across Yorkshire, the North West and East Midlands came together tonight to pay tribute to forces-friendly organisations from their counties who have won Gold Awards under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Giving thanks for a near miss…
21st November: Evensong at Peterborough Cathedral, a service to remember the 20th anniversary of rescuing our cathedral from a potentially devastating fire. A special service of thanksgiving with wonderful music took place today, with vivid memories from those who were involved on the day. Thanks to all who fought the fire and to all who donated to help repair the damage and to those who organised this service. Peterborough Cathedral is a wonderful institution and it is numbing to think how close we came to losing it.
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.
Fundraising for Vista
We did it! Flossie my dog and I walked all the way round Rutland Water in support of Vista, the charity that supports blind people, helping them to adapt and prosper without sight. Vista do amazing work – my JustGiving page tells you what I’m doing and why – https://justgiving.com/fundraising/Sarah-Furness-Lord-Lieutenant… #JustGiving.
And I hit my fundraising target! Thanks to you all.
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.