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.
Take a Trip Down Oakham High Street: Art, Shopping, and Local Charm
Oakham's High Street is brimming with hidden gems, waiting to be discovered!
This week, I am showcasing a trio of fantastic spots all nestled together, offering a delightful mix of art, shopping, and friendly conversation.
First, step into the historic Victoria Hall. This beautiful Grade II listed building boasts a stunning art gallery, currently showcasing works by talented local artists.
Greetings cards and other gifts created by local artists.
Whether you're searching for unique gifts, charming homeware, or simply a touch of inspiration, this shop is sure to have something to tickle your fancy.
And finally, don't miss the chance to chat with Connie Taylor at Connie Taylor Ceramics. Connie's exquisite hand-crafted ceramics are not only beautiful but also a testament to her dedication and skill.
'Moments of Peace' exhibition, by Oakham photojournalist Alan Walters in conjunction with Stamford Diversity Group ft our local Ukrainian refugees
The Allman Gallery at the Victoria Hall is delighted to bring an important exhibition of images to Oakham by local photojournalist Alan Walters.
While working for the local media, Alan met several Ukrainian refugees in the area and was immediately struck by their remarkable strength and courage. After hearing their stories and talking with their host families Alan formed a project with the Stamford Diversity Group to create a photo essay aimed at representing both sides of the lives of Ukrainians in the area.
As Alan says: “When scoping the project, it was clear that there are two sides to the lives of the refugees – one is the public image that they portray through their determination and their gratitude to the host families and the wider community. The other is the horror that they appear to have left behind, but which never truly leaves them.”
Visitors to the Allman Gallery can expect to see the duality of existence of six Ukrainian families living locally showing how they find moments of peace in the community - set against moments of reflection as they consider their friends and families left behind. Each pair of images is accompanied by a short statement by the family.
Gallery organiser Cara Chambers added: “This is a sensitive piece of work that Alan has created. All the work has been done voluntarily by the photographer and the Stamford Diversity Group, and we look forward to as many visitors as possible seeing these thought-provoking images.”
The exhibition runs from the 29th November to the 12th December in the Allman Gallery, The Victoria Hall, High Street Oakham. Entry is free.
Victoria Hall Oakham Rutland New Chairman David Graham is seeking your ideas, please visit and write your suggestions in the book.
The hall’s new Chairman, David Graham gives a whistle-stop tour of the Victoria Hall and plans for the future.
He invites YOU during the merry month of May to pop into the hall, enjoy the space and write down your ideas for what you would like to take place upstairs.
David Graham New Chairman of Trustees marks new era for Victoria Hall Oakham Rutland
A new chairman has been elected by the board of Trustees at Victoria Hall in a bid to revitalise Oakham’s much-loved town hall.
David Graham, who is an Oakham Town Councillor, Oakham shop owner and professional musician, was elected Chairman of Trustees at a meeting on Tuesday 19th April and Cllr Paul Ainsley was appointed as Vice Chairman.
David, who has lived in and around Oakham most of his life says, “I am honoured to have been elected as Chairman of Victoria Hall. I’ve performed there since I was a lad and thoroughly look forward to working with the trustees and the local community to make this place a vibrant hub of activity and events again for the town.”
Peter Jones, who has been Chairman for several long years and a trustee for nearly 20 of those, stood down recently and says, “I have loved my time at Victoria Hall but felt it was time to hand over the reins to a younger generation, so that they can create the kind of activities they want to happen in this, the centrepiece of the town”.
The upstairs of the hall is in the process of being leased with a view to hosting concerts, band nights, comedy nights, dance events and much more. The Allman Gallery downstairs is being refurbished and through the kind support of Oakham Town Council, grants have been awarded to clean the front of the building, install glass doors and refurbish the downstairs toilets.
David added, “This is such an exciting time for the hall. I am passionate about live events and committed to ensuring there is a regular programme of high quality events for people of all ages to enjoy, as well as making the wonderful dance floor and space available for all that wish to use it.”
The trustees are currently looking for additional trustees to join the board and are hoping that some younger people will come forward to represent the views and wishes of their generation.
Oakham Town Council has squandered £10,000 welcome back grant due to spending time constraint, Spending included £2500 Jet Washing Victoria Hall and other items including bunting for the Jubilee
Oakham town council received a £10,000 welcome back grant.
They spent £2500 simply jet washing the front of Victoria Hall in the high street. £2500 seem a lot of money just to spray a building with water.
I asked a member of the council what the rest of the money had been spent on and they said bunting for the Jubilee and did not know how the rest of the money has been spent.
Bunting is something the council often buys and includes in its fictional budgets. It often costs more to put up and take down. around £1000 a year.
The finger of blame has been pointed at former councillor Andy Burton, who apparently was tasked with sorting out how the money could have been spent. He apparently did not get on with the task and the council nearly run out of time and would have lost the grant.
Why does Oakham Town Council not consult with the residents it is meant to represent?
Other council have spent the money on events enjoyed by residents and visitors a true welcome back to some sort of normality.
Ms Genevieve Margrett, Rutland Kino, Cinema, Victoria Hall, 39A High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH Planning and Licensing Committee - Tuesday, 2nd November, 2021 6.00 pm Video
APPROVED.
2021/0855/FUL Ms Genevieve Margrett, Rutland
Kino, Victoria Hall, 39A High
Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15
6AH, The refurbishment and
conversion of the Victoria Hall to
a 2 Screen digitally equipped
cinema with a cafe bar, foyers,
multi-use `lounge' and ancillary
facilities.
2021/0856/LBA Ms Genevieve Margrett, Rutland
Kino, Victoria Hall, 39A High
Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15
6AH, The refurbishment and
conversion of the Victoria Hall to
a 2 Screen digitally equipped
cinema with a cafe bar, foyers,
multi-use `lounge' and ancillary
facilities.
I do hope Rutland County Council recruits a full time conservation officer to ensure this building is cared for.
I would also like to see a full compliment of Trustees appointed in accordance with the deed requirements.
I also question why when a person is appointed Trustee they are not required to sign the legal Trustee documents?
I would also like to see all those who have been Trustees for over the legal five year period step down. Possible before the Charity Commission take appropriate action. A member of the public told me at the meeting they have raised these concerns with the charity commission.
I also question why, when the chair of Trustees was questioned by a Rutland County Councillor, they responded with misinformation.
The trustees can not shut down the hall and let the charity commission sell it, any of those actions would go against their legal obligations as Trustees of Victoria Hall. Perhaps anyone who is a Trustee and feels that is the option if the cinema project fails they should step down, clearly they have little understanding of the role responsibilities of a trustee.
The hall Trustees have a big problem ahead, the local paper last night reports the cinema might open at the end of next year, 2022. I wonder what provision they have put in place to safe guard the hall for 2022, clearly not enough when you hear they have only issued rental agreements below market value, all due to end on the 31st December 2021. It also became clear they have not yet agreed the sum of money the proposed new 25 year lease holders will pay into a fund to put things right if the business fails. They need to agree that, because I am sure the Trustees could not afford their legal responsibility to put it right. When the Chair of Trustees was asked has the new lease been signed he did not answer. I would suggest that is a no. Especially as Kino have still not reached there investment target.
The word due diligence were used a few times by the Chairman of the trustees. I wonder if the few trustees understand the meaning of that? because if you cut of all you income from the 31st December 2021 without any guarantee the cinema project will go ahead, that does not seem to me they have use any due diligence to me.
Lets hope it all goes well and Kino do a good job setting up and have enough money to sell over 1000 tickets a week and pay the rent, staff and all the other costs going forward.
Firstly I agree Oakham needs a cinema so I have no issue with the proposal originally made by Rutland Kino a few years ago.
What I object to is the chosen location used by the community albeit not as much as it should be used.
Some people comment that the handing over the whole building to a private company means it is still a community asset its not. Its a business for profit and personally I can't find any boutique cinema that can afford to show the latest releases.
We lost our only public theatre and the art gallery some years ago.
Over the years the Trustees of Victoria Hall have claimed money from various charities stating Victoria Hall is a community hall.
Money was claimed for a new community kitchen and is let to a commercial company.
Thousands of Pounds of charity money was spent on renovating the hall this included taking down the suspended ceiling and revealing the ceiling upstairs.
Why would you take thousands of pounds from charity to remove the suspended ceiling, clean out all the dead pigeons and poop and restore this fine ceiling to let someone who wants to run a private company box it back in? I will use Victoria Halls owns words to describe that
'The removal of the 1950’s hung ceiling revealed the original Victorian high vaulted ceiling with its cast iron supports which is a visual delight!'
This photo one of many I have shows one of the many community consultations held in the hall. This was Aldi 2013.
Some of the old trustees need removing and the correct number from both councils need appointing for the required four year term of office.
There should be 3 trustees from Rutland County Council and 3 from Oakham Town Council appointed by the council not the trustees after an election for 4 years.
There should be 9 residents from Oakham appointed trustees for a max term of 5 years.
I think because the trustees have chosen to reduce the number to a little group of 5 Trustees is why the best decisions for the hall are not being made. It unclear who are trustees because the list on the website is different from that on the charity commissioners website.
Councillors Open Surgery on Saturday 13 February in the Council Chamber, Victoria Hall,
between 9am - 12noon.
All residents are welcome to come along, share their views and give feedback on any issues they may wish to discuss.
Of particular interest to residents on the North West Ward, Cllrs Joyce Lucas and Adam Lowe will be available to discuss the Community Governance Review, which has recently been distributed to this ward, concerning this ward and the future of Barleythorpe.
Oakham Mayor's Charity Ball 2014, Victoria Hall, Oakham, £35 ticket, £2.50 for Charity
Oakham's Mayor Cllr Jayne Woodcock was heard on Rutland Radio describing the
ticket price for the ball as a bargain affordable for all.
I spoke to the Mayor last night and she explained the price, she says the costs for staging the event is a lot and she will see about £2.50 from each ticket going to the new charity In Rutland For Rutland.
The new charity was set up by fundraisers after Macmillan Cancer Support pulled the plug on funding the adviser based at the Rutland CAB. The new charity now funds the role.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Oakham Mayor's Charity Ball 2014, Victoria Hall, Oakham
Oakham Mayor's Charity Ball 2014, Victoria Hall, Oakham
Raising Funds for charity "For Rutland - In Rutland"
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