October 23rd – What a great initiative this is. Thanks to all at HMP Stocken; let’s all join in and raise much needed funds for a great cause , the Royal British Legion. Proud of this effort by HMP Stocken.
HMP Stocken – Operation Poppy!
New Lieutenancy Air Cadet
October 19th – Delighted to hold a COVID19 compliant award ceremony at Oakham Castle for my Lord-Lieutenant Air Cadets. Cadet Sgt Alice Weaver handed over to Sgt Thomas Menzies. Thanks to Alice for her support – sad for her that the pandemic prevented so much. Welcome Thomas!
Battle of Britain – 80 years on
September 13th: Marking 80 years #BattleOfBritain80 at Rutland’s commemorative Spitfire ‘sculpture’ on the Oakham ring road, with committee members of Rutland’s branch of Rutland Armed Forces Association. All were socially distanced – this was necessarily a more muted occasion than had been planned, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Sustainable Land Trust
September 10th: I was glad to welcome a few of Rutland’s young people to the Sustainable Land Trust Communities. See their Learn & Transform programme which will provide them with skills, experience & qualifications; and also promote well being, confidence and mental health by teaching about the environment while living in it.
Merchant Navy Day 2020
September 3rd: Without the Merchant Navy both world wars would have been lost & our lives would be very different. Merchant Navy Day was marked in Rutland at Oakham Castle today, although numbers were severely limited due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Tribute was paid to those who serve our island country. Thanks to Capt Bob Strick for raising the Red Ensign.
Rutland Remembers V-J day, 75 years on
August 15th. We had plans for Rutland to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VJ day in style, in the company of Rutland’s many military veterans who I know would have been keen to attend such an event. Unfortunately, current restrictions to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus make this difficult – especially as so many of the veterans who would wish to attend are of an age where contact with that virus would be particularly dangerous. So instead I organised small wreath-laying ceremonies at the war memorials in Whissendine, Oakham and Uppingham. I was so pleased that the High Sheriff of Rutland accompanied me.
I am particularly grateful to Nick Clarke of ‘Nick Clarke PR & Media’ for recording the following video so that all can, at a safe distance, share at a in our joint remembrance of those who suffered and died to preserve our liberty.
The ‘Rainbow Trail’
August 8th –
Thanks to Mary Hardwick @Inspire2tri who with help from her team and the Rutland community has in only 4 months created a safe place for the vulnerable to rehabilitate & increase their fitness. The Rainbow Trail is a trail blazer for the country. See more at https://inspire2tri.com/the-rainbow-trail
Walking the Rutland Round for charity
August 3rd: Having had a big walk in Spain cancelled by Covid, Rutland’s High Sheriff has decided to walk with Nick Clarke and volunteers from the Police Cadets to promote the delights of beautiful Rutland by walking all around our county, in aid of the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation. Please support them by giving at: http://JustGiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Cole16 .
Post-lockdown Social Sunday in Uppingham
August 2nd: Flossie our dog was delighted to join me (wearing her best Burberry lead) in Uppingham for ‘Social Sunday’: an opportunity to meet, eat & greet in socially distanced fashion in the market square.
British Empire Medal awarded
August 2nd: A great honour to represent Her Majesty The Queen & present the British Empire Medal to David Ainslie of Uppingham, at a (socially distanced) ceremony at The Falcon Hotel. Amongst many other good works, David has been the driving force in establishing & running the hopper bus, a free service for all in Uppingham
