LL News Blog

Congratulations to Rutland Concert Band on its 10th anniversary.  10 concerts in 10 hours – a great way to celebrate! Lucky Oakham castle this morning & evening and Oakham museum this afternoon. Big sound – lots of fun.

Rain could not dampen excitement at  @WildsLodge for their festival. Hundreds of excited youngsters from schools (of all types) across Rutland enjoyed music and myriad activities with the resident youngsters. A great day & a great educational establishment, helping boys with special needs lead better lives.

An exciting honour to visit @7thRats Infantry brigade  at Chetwynd Barracks . Lineage goes back to Napoleonic wars. Adaptable & battle ready. Operating in Poland, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan & Afghanistan, training in many parts of Africa. My goodness our army works hard!

There are many misconceptions about the army.  Much of their work is  peacekeeping, training and winning hearts and minds to prevent conflict. @7thRats also Headquarters for East of England. covers @2PWRRTigers @7Regiment #Melton Defence Animal Training #1 Military Working Dogs & Reserves.

19th September:  Fun, chatter , good food & companionship were the order of the day at Dove Cottage Hospice.  A remarkable place offering great care by devoted staff – many of whom are volunteers.

Volunteer Joanne Beaver created a fabulous three course meal for all.   Delicious apricot & almond frangipani – such a treat –  Thanks!

I am looking forward to publication of the Dove Cottage recipe book ‘Seconds Please!’.  It will be a  great Xmas present and funds raised will help the hospice too.

I had a fascinating visit  to Leicester Fire and Rescue. They do so much work on PREVENTION – which is vital but hard to quantify. And paradoxically,  the more successful they are at prevention, the less it looks as though they are needed!  But the cost of prevention PLUS putting out fires, rescuing us from accidents, flood, storms & more = £64.71p per annum for a Band D council tax payer.  That sounds like good value to me.

They are now using virtual reality films to demonstrate real dangers.  They have  devised riveting 90 second scenarios to alert us to the dangers of house fires, increase awareness of motorcyclists amongst car drivers and dangers of the use of mobiles while driving etc.   They have also developed virtual reality scenes to train fire officers.

Being a cadet gives youngsters a chance to gain marketable skills & increase their life chances. So I was pleased to use the Investiture of my new cadets to thank the three who were demitting office and to explain to potential cadets how much can be gained by joining. Thanks to all.

Thanks also to Catmose College, a great venue for  the Lord-Lieutenant cadet investiture. Over 100 attended. Thanks all the organisers. It was an exciting meeting with confident, focussed young people.  Confidence, initiative, team work, politeness & willingness to help make all the difference in life.

Thanks to demitting LL cadets Hannah Seymour (ACF), Amelia Seymour (ATC), & Jack Walker Munro (CCF):

And welcome to my new cadets, Elby Williamson (ACF), Lee Crump (ATC) & Felix Baird (CCF). I look forward to having them alongside in the next year!

 

It is always such a happy & moving occasion welcoming people on behalf of Her Majesty when they become British citizens. Many congratulations to Leah Golland, Ersebet David, Coenraad Wilke & Ivette Miller who became British yesterday in Rutland.

13th September – Sounding the Retreat by Band of Brigade of Ghurkhas in Oakham market place made for a special, spectacular evening in aid of The Soldier’s charity, the Armed Forces Benevolent Fund (ABF). What a privilege for Rutland. Rousing music, precision marching, fabulous (frightening!) displays with Ghurkha knives.  It was a great honour to take the salute in Oakham market square. Thanks!

8th September – I attended a fascinating annual reception at RAF Wittering.  I learnt so much. We saw Harrier planes, what happens when a bird strikes a plane, saw bomb disposal techniques and very accurate bombs – so good to meet so many knowledgeable & committed people.  The fly-past by a spitfire was spine-tingling.  Bomb disposal being demonstrated below. Thanks!

8th September – I visited ‘The Grainstore’ in Oakham this morning, where a ‘veterans breakfast’ was happening.  There was a great atmosphere and great food (at discounted prices for our veterans). At least 50 people attended, of all ages together with army and RAF personnel having a good time together.

The next  one is Oct 6 , 9.30am, at The Grainy. See you there?