I was honoured to be invited to attend the Coronation service to represent the people of Rutland:
As was widely reported, invitations to the event were severely limited, just 2,200 compared with the 8,000 for King Charles’s mother’s Coronation. Much greater priority was given to those who had provided important service to their community – notably several hundred holders of the British Empire medal, which is awarded for such service. They included Janet Thompson and Margaret Simpson from Rutland.
It was so special to see King Charles and to carry the good wishes of Rutland with me on such an important day.
Everyone was excited including my 3 year old grand-daughter watching at home on TV:
The next day there were Coronation Services in churches all over the country and many in Rutland. In the morning I attended All Saints’ Church in Oakham, our county town and Peterborough Cathedral, our Diocesan Cathedral, in the afternoon.
At the Oakham service I had been asked to speak about our new King. The text of my speech is here.
Next was a parade from the church to Cutts Close:
The subsequent Party in the Park at Cutts Close was great fun, with thanks to all the performers and attendees, and for Oakham Town Council for organising it.
In the evening there was the Coronation Concert. Dr Hilary Fox was there from Rutland, invited mainly because of her amazing work getting Covid vaccines rolled out to Rutland residents at the start of the pandemic. She sent me a couple of pictures:
The last day of the Coronation celebrations, Monday the 8th May, was the day of ‘The Big Help Out’; our King’s proposal to encourage those who volunteer to help others.
For ‘The Big Help Out’, The Rutland Lieutenancy is supporting a ‘Clear Out to Help Out’ charity Car Boot sale. This was originally planned for Monday 8th May from 10am to 4pm, but sadly it had to be postponed because of rain and the resultant soft ground; apparently the Showground would have turned into a quagmire. It is being re-scheduled for the next Bank Holiday, on Monday 29th May 2023.
This will work as a normal car boot and table top sale, so people can come with good quality items and raise some money for themselves in their cars or with tables. Thanks to the generosity of the Rutland Agricultural Society entrance money will go to three charities: Citizens Advice, the Rutland Foodbank and ‘For Rutland’.
Recognised voluntary and charity groups are welcome and encouraged to have stalls free to showcase what they do and raise money for their groups. Please bring tables etc. before the opening to the public at 10am on the Monday. For such groups please register your interest with the Lord-Lieutenant prior to the event.
There’s no need to sell your things yourself, unless you wish to; goods can be sold by volunteers to raise money for the three charities. Donations of good quality items for sale to support these charities can be made at Oakham Town Council’s offices in the working week before the Coronation. Royce House, Long Row Oakham LE15 6LN. The Rutland Showground can receive donations for sale between 10 and 12 on the Sunday before the sale.
Further details of national Coronation celebrations can be found online at: coronation.gov.uk.