Kevin Tighe has resigned as Chief Executive of the Rutland Agricultural Society

Kevin Tighe has resigned as Chief Executive of the Rutland Agricultural Society.

Oakham Rutland 'religious' festival 'disturbance' as town store staff complain of abuse and looting by those attending the event at The Rutland County Showground.

Oakham Rutland 'religious' festival 'disturbance' as town store staff complain of abuse and looting by those attending the event at The Rutland County Showground.

Police have been called to the site to investigate complaints over the alleged behaviours of its participants and others.

Hundreds of complaints and related comments have been posted on social media concerning the event.

Last Night, Rutland Showground issued an apology. 

Message to members of Rutland Agricultural Society, issued at 20.00 on 19 June 2021, by CEO, Kevin Tighe

“We are currently hosting a religious festival on our site which we are aware is causing disturbance to our neighbours.  We wholeheartedly apologise for this.    We agreed to the booking after assessing the organisers risk assessment and with the belief that this was an event primarily about Christian worship.  However there is a minority of people who are disrupting the event and causing some significant problems in and around the showground.  We have been working with the organisers to stabilise this situation.    Our priority is to help maintain public order and minimise disruption and allow the event to refocus on its Christian worship as quickly and quietly as possible.  We have been in contact with the police who have been onsite today.“

Paul Kitson

Company Secretary

Shortly afterward the show ground published the following on it Facebook page

Rutland Showground issued an apology on its Facebook Page.

The apology said: "We are currently hosting a religious festival on our site which we are aware is causing disturbance to our neighbours. We wholeheartedly apologise for this.

"We agreed to the booking after assessing the organisers risk assessment and with the belief that this was an event primarily about Christian worship.

"However there is a minority of people who are disrupting the event and causing significant problems in around the showground.

"Our priority is to help maintain public order and minimise disruption and allow the event to refocus on its Christian worship as quickly and quietly as possible. "We have been in contact with the police who have been onsite today."

A whole range of behaviour is cited in response to the post.

This includes many forms of anti social behaviour, some comments from local shop workers who have been abused. 

Staff at Lidl this morning have had to ask people to leave the store after entering with no masks and  being abusive to colleagues.

The show ground have apologised for local disruption. Local shops closed and bars have closed and  at one point this included McDonalds, after a lot of those attending decided they were not required to pay for anything. The bypass was used as a race track last night. This morning it is very slippery covered in mud. It is reported local residents called Leicestershire police many times and none attended. Some residents contacted the newly elected police and crime commissioner  and the Chief Constable Simon Cole  responded via twitter. Maybe now the police and crime commissioner will take his role seriously and sort out the lack of policing here in Rutland instead of his daft idea supported by our MP Alecia Kearns to rename Leicestershire Police once again. The force a few years ago wasted money rebranding itself from Leicestershire Constabulary now PCC wants to call the three combined forces Leicestershire and Rutland. Forgetting Leicester? 

The trustees of the Showground should be sacked. They wont let us have a scaled down county show this year, cancelling at very short notice due to covid. No fears appear to have been applied, to the consideration of this event or other events they are hosting. People are coming and going from the field accessed from gates  2 and 3. Many are visiting nearby businesses and many if not all appear to be exempt from wearing face masks. Local residents have also complained of intimidation. I passed gates 2 and 3 one of the stewards at gate 2 wished me a good morning as I approached gate 3 a car pulled out at speed and some one  shouted foul abuse from inside the car. Gate 1 remains locked a number of littering young boys kicked it and climbed it were very quickly chased out by the stewards.

Earlier this morning, Rutland MP Alicia Kearns said on twitter: "I’m aware of concerns around reckless driving and incidents in Oakham today related to a large event at Rutland Showground. "I am liaising with the Council and the Police regarding compliance to COVID regulations and monitoring concerns."

Leicestershire Police chief constable Simon Cole responding to  Mrs Kearns, commented today: "@LP_Rutland have been working hard on this with the event organisers, venue and council."

@LeicsPCC Rupert Matthews PCC - “I have received several complaints about the event at Rutland showground, and I am distressed to hear how little regard has been given to the residents of Oakham. There’s been intimidation and dangerous driving, not to mention breaking the covid rules.”1/2

Replying to 

@LeicsPCC

“I have contacted the Chief Constable demanding an update now and a meeting tomorrow. Of course, I fully support the work that Rutland Police do in the action they are taking and urge residents with concerns to please dial 101.” 2/2

Oakham Bypass outside the Rutland County Showground is very slippery with mud from showground fields. The area is now being patrolled by Leicestershire Police.

Leicestershire Police  @leicspolice

Leicestershire Police Tweeted this afternoon Sunday 20th June 12.50pm 

We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour linked to a religious event at Rutland Showground. Extra patrols and units are in the area and we will ensure event is covid safe. We are working with the organisers.

To report visit https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/

 

Rutland County Council plans to reopen a number of public buildings and visitor attractions next week, including Oakham Castle and the Rutland County Museum, as national COVID restrictions are eased further.

Rutland County Council plans to reopen a number of public buildings and visitor attractions next week, including Oakham Castle and the Rutland County Museum, as national COVID restrictions are eased further.  

“We are all looking ahead to Monday 17 May and taking the next step along the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. If all goes to plan, limits will ease on seeing friends and family, and more businesses can re-open, including hospitality, indoor entertainment and visitor accommodation, as well as indoor adult group sports and exercise classes.This is all hugely positive. However, the overriding message to share with residents, businesses and visitors is ‘Let’s take the next step safely’. That’s what we’ll be doing across all Council sites and services, with the appropriate social distancing and other COVID safety measures in place.” Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health

All Rutland County Council sites will be operating in line with Track and Trace requirements. Visitors should register using the phone app where possible. Hand sanitiser will be provided at all sites and face coverings are required unless an exception applies. 

Oakham Castle 

From Monday 17 May, Oakham Castle will reopen on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm.  There will be a limit of 10 people allowed in the Great Hall at one time. Staff will be on hand to provide help and advice. 

Website: oakhamcastle.org/

Rutland County Museum 

The County Museum in Oakham will reopen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. There will be a limit of 20 people allowed in the Museum at one time. Again, staff will be there to assist visitors. 

Website: rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk/

Rutland Register Office 

Register Office Services will continue to operate as previously, although weddings and civil partnerships will be allowed to take place with up to 30 people where premises can do so safely. 

Website: rutland.gov.uk/my-services/births-deaths-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/

Rutland Library Service 

Libraries will be allowing borrowers to browse shelves and choose their own stock, as well as continuing to offer an Order and Collect service, and use of personal computers. Opening hours for local libraries can be found online.

Website: www.rutland.gov.uk/libraries  

Active Rutland Hub  

The Active Rutland Hub will begin to resume scheduled group sports and exercise classes. Regular users are advised to contact individual groups and clubs for further details. 

Website: activerutland.org.uk/activerutlandhub

Visions Children’s Centre 

Visions Children’s Centre in Oakham continues to deliver specific services for Rutland families, while nearby Catmose House continues to be used as a Vaccination Centre. More information can be found online.

Website: visionsccc.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/VisionsChildrensCentre/

Please email visions@rutland.gov.uk for further information. 

Jules House Youth Service 

Jules House in Oakham will remain closed but the service continues to provide a programme for young people in Rutland in the community, including a range of summer activities after 17 May. For more information, please contact us

Telephone: 01572 758301 

e-mail: jules@rutland.gov.uk. Details can also be found online at: ris.rutland.gov.uk

Adult Learning Services 

Rutland Adult Learning & Skills Service (RALSS) reopened on 19 April with a range of COVID safety measures in place. The latest RALSS course dates and information are available online.

Website: www.ralss.org.uk

Waste and Recycling Services

Rutland’s Cottesmore Recycling Centre reopens on Monday 17. You must book in advance to use the site, which will open four days a week (Friday to Monday), from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Bookings can be made online or by telephone.

Website: www.rutland.gov.uk/hwrcbooking
Telephone: 01572 722 577

Trailers will not be allowed at Cottesmore Recycling Centre when the site reopens.  

Rutland Ballot Box For 1999 European Election For Sale This Ballot Box helped elect Roger Helmer as MEP for the East Midlands (1999/2017)

Rutland Ballot Box For 1999 European Election For Sale.

This Ballot Box helped elect Roger Helmer as MEP for the East Midlands (1999/2017) as a member of the Conservative Party and in 2014 as a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP)

I think £80 is going to see this donation end up in the bin, The old metal ballot boxes often sell on Ebay between £20 - £40

Conservative Cllr Kenneth Bool Says Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs Signed A Memorandum of Understanding With The MOD in secret, Edward Baines Described the previous leader as arrogant

At special council meeting at Rutland County Council last night. 

Former CEO of Rutland County Council Helen Briggs 

Conservative Cllr Kenneth Bool Says Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs Signed A Memorandum of Understanding with The MOD four years ago, which was kept secret from 24 out of 26 Councillor for an entire year.

Conservative Rutland County Councillor Kenneth Bool 

 

When the councils monitoring officer advised the meeting should should go into exempt he said.

"If we go into excluded now, we started out in secrecy and we are ending in secrecy and I have to say this makes me and the general public wonder, what else there is to hide".

 "There is a dark shadow over this project. This is a matter that affects everyone in Rutland and I can't see why residents can't hear their elected representatives discussing this." 

"We can do so in a manner that adheres to our obligations and of the none disclosure agreement, transparency is important in a democracy, so that those in power are held to account for the common good. Let us therefore be open and transparent with those who put us in office. We should remain in the public domain."

Conservative Rutland County Councillor Kenneth Bool 

The Chairman of the Council Edward Baines  said he agreed with Cllr Bools comments about the previous leader of the council and he went on to describe the previous leader as arrogant and that they behaved as if they had powers of an elected mayor rather than the leader of this elected council.  

(as Mr Bool did not speak about any former leader of the council it is not clear if Cllr Baines was referring to a former leader of the former CEO some on social media have decided he was referring to the former CEO)

Edward Baines stated all that is in the past, is he not forgetting he has been a large part of that past? I do hope the man who refuses to move into the modern world and even use basics such as email steps down at the next election.

Fifteen councillors voted to continue the meeting in private. Twelve others voted against.

Rutland County Cllrs voted against accepting the HIF grant.  13 against, 12 for and 2 abstentions

What next?

There has been some discussion on social media this morning 

Cllr Nick Begy Conservative Rutland County Councillor 

Conservative Councillor Nick Begy said, the outlook is bleak. We have lost control on the development and now greenfield sites in our villages are in danger.

Councillor Ian Razzell  Conservative Rutland County Council 

Conservative Councillor  Ian Razzell  said,  there are some who need to hang their heads in shame. Banging on about their community and failing to represent them at countless meetings. I hope they are able to explain to their community why green fields will now be torn up to build on.

Housing Infrastructure Fund St George's Barracks Rutland County Council Already Listed on Government Website as a Successful Forward Funding projects before Council decision is made

Housing Infrastructure Fund St George's Barracks Rutland County Council Already Listed on Government Website as a  Successful Forward Funding projects  before Council decision is made this evening?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-infrastructure-fund

Successful Forward Funding projects

Local authority Project HIF funding (£million)

Buckinghamshire Aylesbury Garden Town Growth Enabling Infrastructure Programme £172.3m

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Northern Fringe East £227m

Central Bedfordshire Transformational Growth in Biggleswade £69.6m

Cheshire East North Cheshire Garden Village £21.7m

Cornwall Truro Growth Area - Northern Access Road £47.5m

Cornwall Hayle Junctions Infrastructure Project £12.9m

Cumbria Carlisle Southern Link Road £134m

Devon South West Exeter £55.1m

Essex Beaulieu Station and North East Bypass £218m

Essex Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community £99.9m

GLA Docklands Light Railway - growth capacity £290.7m

GLA Meridian Water Infrastructure £170m

GLA East London line - growth capacity £80.8m

Gloucestershire M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme £219.8m

Greater Manchester Combined Authority Manchester Northern Gateway Urban Growth Programme £51.6m

Kent Swale Transport Infrastructure £38.1m

Lancashire South Lancaster Growth Catalyst £140m

Leicestershire Melton Mowbray Southern Distributor Road £14.7m

Medway New Routes to Good Growth £170m

Milton Keynes Milton Keynes East Sustainable Urban Extension £94.6m

North East Combined Authority South Sunderland Growth Area Cluster £25.4m

North Somerset West of England: Enabling Infrastructure for M5-A38 Strategic Development Locations £97m

Oxfordshire Access to Didcot Garden Town £218m

Oxfordshire A40 Smart Corridor £102m

Rutland St George’s Barracks £29.4m

Surrey A320 North of Woking £41.8m

Surrey A320 Woking Town Centre £95m

Surrey Slyfield Area Regeneration Project £52.3m

Swindon New Eastern Villages, Southern Connector Road £18.9m

Thurrock Purfleet Centre £75.1m

Wiltshire Chippenham Urban Expansion £75.1m