Oakham Rutland and Rutland News Martin Brookes

Friday, October 23, 2026

Community Craftsmanship Honours Remembrance Stunning Handmade Poppy Display Installed at Oakham Castle

As the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal officially launches, visitors to Oakham Castle will notice a striking addition to the historical landmark. The castle's remembrance horseshoe has being transformed into a vibrant cascade of hand-knitted and crocheted poppies, thanks to a creative community effort across Rutland.

The inspiration behind the project came from Sian, owner of the local yarn and haberdashery shop Darn Knit on Mill Street in Oakham. While walking her dog near the grounds of Oakham Castle, Sian envisioned decorating the horseshoe with red remembrance poppies.

Knowing the depth of talent among Rutland's craft community, she launched a call for volunteers to pick up their needles and hooks. Local knitters and crocheters quickly answered the call, contributing hundreds of individual handmade poppies to bring the vision to life.

The installation Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day a time to pause, reflect, and show support for those who have served, those currently serving, and military families.

Rutland holds a deep connection to the military, with around one in five residents belonging to the armed forces community, including active personnel, reservists, veterans, and service families. Rutland County Council remains a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which helps ensure fair treatment and specialized support for military personnel and veterans in the region.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit Oakham Castle to view the poppies

Look out for Royal British Legion donation boxes and lapel poppies at local shops and venues across Rutland.

To learn more about available services and support for local military members, veterans, and families, visit

rutland.gov.uk/armedforces

Click Here for Rutland Remembrance and Armistice Events:

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/rutlandremembrancearmisticeevents

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Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Rutland Christmas

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Green Light for Rutland’s £3.5m Medi-Tech Centre at Oakham Enterprise Park

Rutland County Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee has officially approved planning permission for a brand-new £3.5 million Medi-Tech Centre. Located at Oakham Enterprise Park, this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility represents a major leap forward for rural health and care provision, bringing key clinical services and diagnostic capabilities closer to local residents.

Designed to complement existing NHS and local health services, the centre will integrate clinical care, diagnostic facilities, and opportunities for health technology research and innovation all under one roof.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Sustainable Infrastructure
Spanning approximately 915 square metres across two storeys, the new development will deliver a comprehensive range of clinical and commercial spaces:

The ground floor features modern consultation rooms, two operating theatres, specialized diagnostic facilities, and dedicated recovery spaces. It will also host a dedicated bay for a mobile MRI unit to improve access to diagnostic scans.

The first floor offers flexible, multi-use accommodation for healthcare professionals, health technology businesses, and research and development partners.

The centre includes 40 parking bays (featuring accessible spaces and EV charging points), dedicated cycle and motorcycle parking, a patient and ambulance drop-off zone, and enhanced pedestrian routes across Oakham Enterprise Park.

The centre will be managed and operated by Patient Care Locally CIC (PCL), focusing on innovative approaches tailored specifically to rural communities while driving skilled employment and economic growth in the area.

"The Medi-Tech Centre is about supporting the health and care sector in Rutland and helping to bring more services closer to home. It will provide facilities for clinical services and diagnostics, while creating opportunities for research and innovation that can benefit health and care across our county."

Cllr Christine Wise, Leader of Rutland County Council

During the planning process, the Council-submitted application underwent key design revisions to enhance pedestrian access, parking layout, and the overall aesthetic of the building, securing approval with no outstanding statutory objections.

With planning consent secured, the project moves into its next exciting phase inviting healthcare, education, and technology partners to collaborate.

"Receiving planning permission for the Medi-Tech centre in Rutland marks an important milestone in bringing this exciting project closer to reality. The centre has potential to deliver innovative healthcare solutions, support the local community and create new opportunities for collaboration across the healthcare education, research and technology sectors.
We are now looking forward to working with partners and businesses who share our vision and are interested in being part of the centre's development."

Danah Cadman, Chief Executive Officer at Patient Care Locally CIC

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Shaping the Future of Local Transport Rutland County Council Launches Accessibility Consultations

Rutland County Council has announced a series of public workshops aimed at making public transport more inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly for everyone across the county. Residents, carers, and local community groups are being invited to share their firsthand experiences to help shape the Council’s upcoming Bus Network Accessibility Plan (2027 onwards).

Rather than focusing solely on the vehicles themselves, the initiative takes a holistic view of passenger travel. It addresses the entire journey experience from planning trips and accessing real-time travel information to safely navigating to bus stops, boarding, and reaching final destinations.

For many residents particularly older individuals, disabled people, and those with temporary or long-term mobility challenges—reliable public transport is a vital lifeline to healthcare, shopping, work, and social connections.

Highlighting the importance of community input, Cllr Oliver Hemsley, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, stated:

“It's important that we understand the challenges people face when using buses and listen to the people who experience them first-hand. These workshops will give residents and local organisations the chance to share their views and help us identify where improvements are needed.”

Feedback gathered during these sessions will be combined with bus stop accessibility audits, passenger data, and technical transport research to establish clear priorities for future work with bus operators and regional partners.

To ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate comfortably, the Council is offering both in-person sessions at Catmose House in Oakham and online evening options via Microsoft Teams.

Workshop 1: Sharing Experiences and Identifying Needs

Focus: Discussing personal travel experiences, identifying daily obstacles, and suggesting supportive changes.

Online (Microsoft Teams): Thursday, 5 November 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
In-Person (Catmose House, Oakham): Friday, 6 November 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Workshop 2: Reviewing Feedback and Discussing Improvements

Focus: Reviewing findings from the initial sessions and prioritizing key actions for the network plan.

In-Person (Catmose House, Oakham): Monday, 23 November 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Online (Microsoft Teams): Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Places for the workshops can be reserved using the Council's online booking portal:

Registration Website: www.rutland.gov.uk/busnetworkaccessibility
Accessibility & Support Needs: Anyone requiring reasonable adjustments or specific assistance to participate in either the online or in-person sessions can contact the transport team directly at transportadmin@rutland.gov.uk.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

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New Bowel and Bladder Support Group Launching in Oakham

A welcoming new community initiative is coming to Oakham this November

The Bowel and Bladder Support (B&BS) Group will host its inaugural meeting on Monday, 2nd November, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Living with bowel or bladder conditions whether navigating life with or without an ostomy can present unique daily challenges

. B&BS aims to provide a friendly, understanding space where individuals, family members, friends, and carers can connect, share experiences, and access helpful resources

Open to anyone living with bowel or bladder conditions, with or without an ostomy

. Attendees are warmly encouraged to bring along family members, friends, or carers for support

Emergency Supplies Cupboard: The group is establishing an emergency supplies cupboard

. Supplies are currently limited, and donations are gratefully received

A tuck shop will be available during meetings, with a suggested donation of £1 per person to help cover refreshments

. The venue is fully accessible to all attendees

Key Event Details

First Meeting Date: Monday, 2nd November

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Regular Schedule: Every first Monday of the month, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Venue: The Congregational Church, High Street, Oakham, LE15 6AL

Booking: No booking required everyone is welcome

Contact & Information

For further queries, email the team directly at bowelandbladder@outlook.com or visit

oakhamcongregationalchurch.uk

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
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Discover Oakham High Street

Discover Oakham

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Discover Oakham Northgate Oakham Rutland

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Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Rutland Christmas

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Celebrate the Festive Season at the Braunston Advent Fayre

Get into the holiday spirit as Braunston Village Hall prepares to host its annual Braunston Advent Fayre on Saturday, 28 November, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

. Promising a festive day out for all the family, the community event offers the perfect opportunity to kick off the Christmas celebrations together

Visitors can look forward to a vibrant seasonal atmosphere packed with attractions for all ages, including:

Festive Craft Stalls: Browse a variety of local stalls offering unique gifts, handcrafted decorations, and seasonal goods

Delicious Refreshments: Enjoy fresh coffee alongside a selection of delicious home-baked cakes

Fun & Games: Entertainment and holiday activities designed for the whole family

Grand Raffle Draw: Don’t miss the excitement of the raffle draw taking place at 2:30 PM

Event Details

Date & Time: Saturday, 28 November | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Braunston Village Hall, Wood Lane, LE15 8QZ

Admission: £1 per adult | Children enter FREE

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

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Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Rutland Christmas

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Ketton Goes Nuts Village Orchard Initiative Donates £900 to Local Fair Trade Group

A unique community harvesting project in Rutland is demonstrating the power of local produce and grassroots collaboration. Ketton Goes Nuts!, an innovative village-wide orchard initiative, has officially donated £900 to the Rutland and Stamford Fair Trade group.

The milestone donation was celebrated at the preview of the One World Week exhibition, hosted in the gallery at the Stamford Arts Centre, where representatives gathered for a formal cheque presentation.

Unlike traditional single-site community orchards, Ketton Goes Nuts! operates on a distributed model, gathering harvests from approximately 40 nut trees scattered throughout the village of Ketton.

Volunteers harvest, process, and turn the local yield into a variety of delicious, handcrafted products, including, freshly roasted nuts, artisanal nut butter, and seasonal local delicacies.

Proceeds from the sale of these handmade goods are redirected back into local and global ethical causes bridging the gap between village sustainability and international fair trade values.

"This project showcases what can be achieved when a community comes together to make creative, sustainable use of the natural resources right on its doorstep."

The recipient, Rutland and Stamford Fair Trade, works to promote fair wages, ethical sourcing, and sustainable trade practices both locally and internationally. The £900 contribution will help support their ongoing outreach programs, educational displays, and community initiatives aimed at raising awareness about global trade equity.

The timing of the presentation tied in perfectly with One World Week, an annual national event encouraging community action and reflection on global justice, sustainability, and shared responsibility.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,

John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.

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Spread Festive Cheer Christmas Cards for Good Causes Now Available in Rutland

Spread Festive Cheer Christmas Cards for Good Causes Now Available in Oakham Castle

With the festive season fast approaching, residents and visitors in Rutland can once again get a head start on their holiday preparations while supporting vital local and national causes.

The annual Cards for Good Causes pop-up is officially open for 2026, offering a vast range of charity Christmas cards, seasonal wrap, and festive gifts.

By purchasing charity Christmas cards, shoppers can ensure that a direct portion of their spend goes toward supporting registered charities funding everything from life-saving medical research to essential community services and care for vulnerable individuals.

Visitors can look forward to an extensive range of Christmas cards, including a selection of traditional, contemporary, religious, and local scene card designs representing dozens of UK charities.

Unlike standard store-bought packs, every purchase made through Cards for Good Causes helps generate crucial funding for local and national charitable organisations.

Buying your festive stationary locally allows you to spread joy to friends and family while making a meaningful impact in the community.

How to Shop

Stop by the seasonal pop-up shop in Oakham Castle during normal opening hours to browse the full selection in person.

If you are unable to visit in person or want to browse the complete catalogue from home, you can shop directly online at cardsforcharity.co.uk.

While Cards for Good Causes does not operate a dedicated pop-up store in Uppingham for 2026, residents in and around Uppingham have several quick and accessible options to purchase charity Christmas cards and festive goods:

If you prefer to browse cards in person, Cards for Good Causes operates dedicated pop-up shops close to Uppingham:

Oakham: Located at Oakham Castle, providing full access to charity card packs.

Stamford: Located nearby at St John’s Church (off Red Lion Square / High Street, PE9 2AW), which serves as another regional pop-up destination for the season.

While not formal Cards for Good Causes pop-ups, several local charity shops along Uppingham’s High Street East sell their own ranges of charity Christmas cards and seasonal gifts during the festive period:

LOROS Hospice Shop: 9 High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PZ (Mon–Sat 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland: 13 High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PY

Order Online with Home Delivery

If you cannot make it to the Oakham Castle pop-up, you can order the entire 2026 range directly from home:

Website:

cardsforcharity.co.uk

Delivery: Direct shipping across the UK, with free postage on orders over £40.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

Discover Oakham High Street
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/highstreetoakham

Discover Oakham

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/discoveroakham

Discover Oakham Northgate Oakham Rutland

https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/northgateoakham

Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Rutland Christmas

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