Welcome to the Oakham and Rutland News blog! I'm Martin Brookes, your Community Editor, excited to bring you the latest updates from the vibrant heart of Oakham and Rutland. Our new local news website is your go-to source for comprehensive coverage of everything happening in our community. From breaking news and local events to community spotlights and personal reflections, we've got you covered.
Even though the afternoon took a turn towards cooler weather, it wasn't enough to dampen the spirits at Cutts Close in Oakham!
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Sweet Pea Season at Easton Walled Gardens: A Delight for the Senses
Immerse yourself in a world of fragrance and colour at Easton Walled Gardens this summer during their Sweet Pea Season, running from June 26th to July 21st.
Heritage and Modern Beauty:
Explore over 40 varieties of sweet peas, from heritage pastels to vibrant modern blooms.
The gardeners meticulously cultivate both antique 19th-century varieties and exclusive modern strains.
Witness a stunning display of pinks, blues, reds, bicolour, whites, and creams.
A Historical Gem:
Easton Walled Gardens boasts 12 acres of meticulously maintained gardens, steeped in 450 years of history.
The Cholmeley family has called this estate home since 1592, and they invite you to experience its charm.
A Sensory Experience:
Wander through meadows, past vibrant borders overflowing with roses, and buzzing with butterflies and bees.
Inhale the intoxicating fragrance of the sweet peas, earning them the scientific name Lathyrus odoratus.
Take in the visual delights of perfectly formed blooms in stripes, bicolour, picotee, and a range of stunning tones.
Plan Your Visit:
The gardens are open Wednesdays to Sundays, from 11am to 4pm.
Sweet Pea Season is expected to be at its peak for about a month, so aim for a visit between June 26th and July 21st.
Adult admission is £10, children (4-16 years old) are £5, and under 4s enter for free.
Ample parking and spacious grounds are available. While there's good disabled access to the upper gardens, only assistance dogs are permitted.
Extend Your Experience:
Grab a refreshing beverage or a delicious treat at the on-site coffee room or apple store.
Browse the well-stocked homewares store for a unique souvenir.
Learn more about growing your own sweet peas with helpful resources available on the Easton Walled Gardens website visiteaston.co.uk
Don't miss the chance to purchase a keepsake tin filled with sweet pea seeds harvested from the gardens.
Easton Walled Gardens offer a delightful escape for a summer afternoon. Immerse yourself in the beauty and fragrance of the Sweet Pea Season and create lasting memories.
The Rutland Band, Summer band concert on the bandstand in New Park, Play Close, Melton Mowbray.
The band concert is on from 2.45pm - 4.30pm, followed by the football, shown on the large screen, kick off at 5.00pm in Play Close Park.
Euro 2024, Free Outdoor Screening, Sunday 30th June, Play Close, Melton Mowbray, Food and Refreshments available, includes a licenced bar.
Stamford's Big Day Out is a fun-filled event happening this Sunday, June 30th, 2024 at Stamford Meadows! The event is free to enter and runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Here's what you can expect at Stamford's Big Day Out:
Raft Race: The highlight of the event is the Raft Race, which takes place between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Watch teams compete in a race on homemade rafts!
Live Music: Throughout the day, enjoy live music from Rutland & Stamford Sound in their acoustic tent.
Tug of War: After the Raft Race, there's a Tug of War competition featuring the raft race competitors.
Children's Attractions: There will also be children's attractions to keep the little ones entertained.
This is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy a fun day with family and friends in Stamford. So, mark your calendars and head down to Stamford Meadows for Stamford's Big Day Out!
Calling all fans of the New Wave era! Don't miss The Atomics this Sunday, June 30th at Cutts Close Park in Oakham, Rutland! This fantastic 4-piece live band will be rocking out to all your favorite tunes from the late 70s and early 80s.
Get ready to sing along to iconic hits by Blondie, The Pretenders, The Police, Squeeze, The Cars, David Bowie, The Buzzcocks, Adam and the Ants, Duran Duran, Bow Wow Wow, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, and many more!
The music starts at 2:30 pm and they'll wrap it up in plenty of time to catch the football match. So come down, enjoy some great music, and relive the glory days of New Wave!
Five of the six candidates standing in the newly-formed Rutland and Stamford constituency attended a hustings at St George's Church, Stamford, Lincolnshire,
.jpg)
The Hustings was chaired by the Rev. Martyn Taylor.
The full list of candidates and links to received bios.
%20Rutland%20and%20Stamford%20Hustings%202024%20St%20George's%20Church%20Stamford%20Lincolnshire.jpg)
James Moore (Lib Dem)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/dr-james-moore-rutland-and-stamford.html
%20Rutland%20and%20Stamford%20Hustings%202024%20St%20George's%20Church%20Stamford%20Lincolnshire.jpg)
Christopher Clowes (Reform UK)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/christopher-clowes-rutland-and-stamford.html
%20Rutland%20and%20Stamford%20Hustings%202024%20St%20George's%20Church%20Stamford%20Lincolnshire.jpg)
Emma Louise Baker (Green Party)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/emma-baker-rutland-and-stamford.html
%20Rutland%20and%20Stamford%20Hustings%202024%20St%20George's%20Church%20Stamford%20Lincolnshire.jpg)
Alicia Kearns (Conservative Party)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/alicia-kearns-rutland-and-stamford.html
.jpg)
Joe Wood (Labour Labour Party)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/joe-wood-rutland-and-stamford-candidate.html
Joanna Mary Burrows (Rejoin EU)
https://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2024/06/joanna-burrows-rutland-and-stamford.html
Council to open offices on Saturday for urgent replacement postal ballots
The Council are opening their offices for a limited time on Saturday 29th June for postal voters who must have their postal ballots before Monday 1st July and are yet to receive them from Royal Mail.
In response to further enquiries from Rutland and Stamford residents regarding postal ballots for the UK general election, Rutland County Council is opening its offices on Saturday 29th June for postal voters who must have their postal ballot packs before Monday 1st July and are yet to receive them from Royal Mail.
Postal voters who cannot wait until Monday 1st July to receive their ballot packs and wish to collect a replacement ballot from the Council on Saturday should email elections@rutland.gov.uk between now and 12noon on Saturday 29th June, confirming:
The voter’s registered address
Phone number
The name of voters in the household still to receive their postal ballot packs
Anyone who is unable to email the Council can call: 01572 758 469 from 10am on the morning of Saturday 29th June to provide this information.
Please reserve this line for those without internet access and do not call if you are able to email.
You must contact Rutland County Council before 12noon so that officers can prepare replacement postal ballots and provide confirmation when it is ready to be collected. Final collection will be 2.00pm, at which point the offices will close until 9.00am on Monday.
Please do not travel to the Council’s offices on Saturday without having made contact first as officers will be unable to assist.
Officers will not be able to resolve any enquiries that are not related to urgent replacement postal ballots.
Central England Co-op Announces Plans for New Gym at Burley Road Store
The Central England Co-op has announced plans for a new members-only gym at its Burley Road store in Oakham. This initiative comes as part of the Society's ongoing review to optimise store space and better serve the needs of its members and the local community.
The Co-op say they would be Utilising Surplus Space for Community Benefit
An internal review identified underutilised space within the Burley Road store. Following a marketing effort, the Co-op has agreed to lease this space to Method Health Club Ltd. for the development of a new gym facility.
The Co-op highlights Benefits for Oakham Residents
This new gym will provide Oakham residents with an additional option for their fitness needs. Importantly, it will achieve this without altering the existing building's structure or impacting the surrounding environment.
The gym will be situated entirely within the existing Co-op supermarket building and utilise the existing car park and service areas. Additionally, the out-of-town location avoids placing any extra strain on the already busy town center infrastructure.
The Co-op say its a Mutually Beneficial Partnership
The Central England Co-op believes this partnership with Method Health Club Ltd. will be beneficial for all parties involved.
Five of the six candidates standing in the newly-formed Rutland and Stamford constituency attended a hustings at All Saints Church in Oakham
Emma Baker (Green)
Christopher Clowes (Reform UK)
Alicia Kearns (Conservative)
James Moore (Liberal Democrat)
Joe Wood (Labour)
Rejoin EU candidate Joanna Burrows was absent.
The Rev Shakeel Nurmahi, hosted the debate.
The candidates were asked nine questions from climate to affordable housing and sewage.
They were asked what would they focus on during the first 100 days of the job.
Hub & Spoke Café: Friendly Staff and Great Coffee (But Beware the Croissant!)
I recently visited the new Hub & Spoke Café on Melton Road and had a mixed experience. On the positive side, the staff were absolutely lovely – friendly and welcoming. They clearly take pride in their coffee, as they use beans from a local roaster called Two Chimps. The coffee itself was delicious!
However, there was a bit of a misstep with the pastry. I ordered a croissant, and unfortunately, it came reheated. Now, microwaving a croissant is generally not the best way to go, and this one was no exception. It ended up a bit tough and chewy.
Here's a tip for future visitors: if you order a croissant, you might want to specify that you'd prefer it not to be heated. That way, you can enjoy the buttery flakiness at its best.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend checking out Hub & Spoke. The coffee is great, the staff are friendly, and with a little heads-up about the croissants, you can have a truly enjoyable experience.
Hub and Spoke, 30 Melton Road, Oakham LE15 6AY, England
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
A Chance to and Question and Meet, The Rutland and Stamford Parliamentary Candidates, at All Saints Church, Oakham, Rutland tonight.
