Freedom of Entry, St George's Barracks, North Luffenham, Oakham, Rutland, Oakham Town Council, tickets

Whilst Rutland County Council cuts back on its civic expenditure, Oakham Town Council continues
to spend thousands of public money with no thought.

The only people who have connections to the base that is miles away from Oakham are the local
establishment.

Made up of ex Mayors, The Festival and Arts For Rutland.

I shall never forget the excitement of the Festival organiser on Rutland Radio, who was selling the hippos on the cheap "the bar is open all night and the drinks are so cheap"

I repeat what I said last year if that group want to give the freedom of Oakham to that barracks
then let them pay for it, why should the residents of Oakham pay?

I can understand the past freedom being granted to RAF Cottesmore, because I hear so many stories
form locals about that base and their connection either through friendship or marriage.

Its a pity Cllr Dewis is sucking up to his friends, it would have been much better to wait a few years
to see if the new Kendrew Barracks is worthy of a similar honour.

Each day in Town I see soldiers from Kendrew Barracks in Oakham.

It very rare you see anyone from St George's Barracks.


If you are interested in attending the church service on St Georges Day.

You need to apply to the town Clerk for tickets and if they like you they will send you two
tickets.

The Barracks may be granted the freedom of Oakham, I challenge any Oakham resident
to attempt to gain access to the barracks.


FREEDOM OF ENTRY TO ST GEORGE'S BARRACKS

Oakham Town Council is to award the Freedom of Entry to Oakham to St George’s Barracks at North Luffenham on St George’s Day, 23rd April 2013, The honour will be conferred during a ceremony in Oakham that will entail a service in All Saints Church.  This will be followed by the presentation of the honour during a parade in the Market Place when the Mayor of Oakham, Alf Dewis, will present an illuminated scroll to the Commanding Officer of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery.

 The honour is to be granted because of the long standing association of over 70 years between the military base at North Luffenham and the Town of Oakham.  It also recognises the service that members of the armed forces located at the base have performed both for their country and the Town over that period.  RAF Cottesmore was awarded the honour jointly by Rutland District Council and Oakham Town Council in 1988.

 The Regiment will then exercise its ‘Freedom’ by marching through Oakham with drums beating, bands playing, colours flying and bayonets fixed. The parade will leave the Market Place and march along the High Street where Dr Lawrence Howard, the Lord Lieutenant, will take the salute at the junction of Church Street and High Street.  The parade will continue along High Street turn down Northgate and finish in Church Street.

 St George’s Barracks started life as RAF North Luffenham in 1940 and continued in RAF occupation until 1998.  During this period various units were located at the base and for a short period between 1951 and 1955, RAF North Luffenham was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force and was the first Canadian NATO base in Europe housing No. 1 Fighter Wing.

 In 1955 the base reverted back to RAF use when 238 Operational Conversion Unit flew Gloster Javelins for just over a year. In the ensuing years there were a number of RAF units located at North Luffenham including the Aviation Medical School, Joint Services Language School, Midland Radar and No. 3 Ground Radio Servicing Squadron.  Between 1959 and 1963 the Thor intermediate range ballistic missile was housed there.

 In 1998, RAF North Luffenham was renamed St George’s Barracks and has been the home of a number of army regiments including the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment.  The present incumbent, 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, has been at St George’s Barracks since August 2007 when it moved from Woolwich.  The Barracks are also presently shared with 104 Military Working Dogs, an Army Education Centre, a group of Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators as well as an Army Recruitment Team.

 The presentation of the ‘Freedom’ will be a major event for Oakham and the Town Mayor, Alf Dewis, is keen that as many people as possible share in the day’s proceedings.

He says “Oakham Town Council will try to involve as many people as possible in the event but All Saints Church can only accommodate 400 including service personnel and guests.  Therefore due to the limitation in numbers, admittance to the Church will be by ticket only and we would urge that people who wish to attend apply in writing to the Oakham Town Council”.

 Anyone who wishes to attend the Church Service, which commences at 2.00pm, should write to The Town Clerk, Oakham Town Council, Victoria Hall, 39 High Street, Oakham LE15 6AH by Friday 15th March 2013 giving their name and address.  Only written applications will be accepted and due to the limited number of seats available the tickets will be restricted to two per family.  If the numbers are oversubscribed then a draw will take place.  Tickets will be sent out week commencing 25th March 2013.