Queen Elizabeth II Oakham Castle hosts two books of condolence hundreds of people queued to sign

Queen Elizabeth II Oakham Castle hosts two books of condolence hundreds of people queued to sign

Burley Road Oakham Rutland Closed For Construction of Shared Cycle Path

Burley Road Oakham Rutland Closed For Construction of Shared Cycle Path

Rutland Concert Band Prom In the park and the sale of Pimms and Gin in Cutts Close Oakham Rutland Helps raise £430 for the Lucas Bottomley appeal despite the rain.

Rutland Concert Band Prom In the park and the sale of Pimms and Gin in Cutts Close Oakham Rutland Helps raise £430 for the Lucas Bottomley appeal despite the rain.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lucas-to-enjoy-his-short-time-left-with-us

Oakham Castle Wall it is hard to believe millions of pounds of lottery money has been spent on this project by Rutland County Council over the years.

Oakham Castle Wall it is hard to believe millions of pounds of lottery money has been spent on this project by Rutland County Council over the years.

The Cutts Close side lost dozens of healthy trees thanks to Oakham Town Council approving their destruction, after the then tree warden Cllr Joyce Lucas agreed they should be destroyed. Now we have look at the old stumps which the council is still to this day attempting to poison with the plastic plugs inserted in each stump.

A small section of the wall nearest to the skate park has been vandalised and the hundreds of shrubs planted for the benefit of the wildlife was more recently destroyed by the councils contractors using their power strimmer's, spreading the plastic protection sleaves everywhere amongst the litter.

The Burley Road Car Park section is slowly losing all its trees. More were felled early Thursday morning. Some were falling over, but not all. I wonder if the Council will be considering replacing the trees or have we got to get used to this ugly view all around the castle? 

The wall originally did not have mortar between the stones, probably one reason why the wall was in modern times propped up with piles of earth and why the Skate Park section can be easily vandalised.

Phillip Dyke Pleads Guilty to further charges of sexual abuse whilst he taught at Hailey Hall School, Hertford.

I was not originally going to post this. I have changed my mind, because I have learnt it is not good to keep things hidden inside. 

On Tuesday 26th April 2022 I was meant to be giving evidence at St Albans Crown Court against my old art teacher, he was calling me a liar. 

Previously pleading not guilty to three charges. 

For almost three years Phillip Dyke subjected me to sexual and physical abuse at Hailey Hall School, Hertfordshire. I was 12 When the abuse started, he would have been in his early 20s. 

Yesterday at St Albans Crown Court he changed his plea to Guilty. When the police phoned me and told me the news I was both happy and sad. 

I was also very happy for the other man, who was also due to give his evidence against Mr Dyke, yesterday afternoon.

Mr Dyke will be sentenced for what he did to me and the other person at Wood Green Court on the 23rd June 2022.

For many years, I have been wanting those in authority to believe what I was saying, finally after the hard work of Bev, a dedicated detective at Hertfordshire Police, she believed me and listened to me for a very long time. 

Although I was preparing myself to give evidence. I can't put in words at how relieved I am now I don't have to do it due to Mr Dyke finally admitting what he did.

Mr Dyke was convicted of similar and worse offences back in 2013 he was sent to prison for 8 years for abusing 6 boys. At that time he pleaded not guilty and put those men through the ordeal of a trial.

 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-23809745

In 2013 the police in Hertfordshire were aware of me and showed little interest in what happened to me. Possibly due to the case I was fighting at the time and won when certain Oakham Town Councillors and member of staff at Rutland County Council wrongly accused me of harassment.

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-blogger-threatened-and-branded-%E2%80%98pedophile%E2%80%99-challenging-politicians201013/

At the time many of those Councillors were calling me what Mr Dyke is, that was all started by then Cllr Joyce Lucas BEM. she started spreading that false information to anyone who would listen to her,  she  also told local young people who used to call me that when I walked through the town. She went on to also tell people who worked with me at Tesco.  Occasionally some people still comment when I pass them.  It happened only this Saturday. I wish those people would understand how hurtful it is to hear that comment.

There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

• Further information on these services and details can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/

• Further information about child abuse can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse

Friday 1st April 2022 is the 25th anniversary of Rutland regaining its status as an independent county, as well as the formation of Rutland County Council as a unitary authority.

Friday 1st April 2022 is the 25th anniversary of Rutland regaining its status as an independent county, as well as the formation of Rutland County Council as a unitary authority. 

Rutland was a district of Leicestershire from 1974 until 1997, regaining its independent status only after a long-running campaign by local councillors, residents and communities. 

“As well as being a huge milestone for the county, this anniversary is a chance to pause and think about the things we value most about living in Rutland. We have a lot to be thankful for – particularly after the past two years and everything we’ve experienced because of the pandemic. It’s also timely that 2022 is also the year in which Council agreed to endorse and adopt the community’s new shared vision for Rutland. This is something we can all work towards over the next 30 years and then look back on what all we have achieved together – maintaining our independence while continuing to work closely with our friends and neighbours.”

Councillor Jeff Dale, Chairman of Rutland County Council

Oakham Library is hosting a display illustrating Rutland’s battle for independence, covering the campaigns from the 1960s to Independence Day on 1st April 1997, together with a selection of local history books telling the stories of England’s smallest County. Oakham Library is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday – Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday.

The full picture of our wonderful County can be explored in the displays at Rutland County Museum, which covers everything from fossils to Romans to the present day. Further details about the various collections on display at Rutland County Museum can be found online at: rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk. The Museum is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with no booking required.

Leicestershire Police mourn the death of former Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM. Who retired this month aged 55.

The Rutland LPU Commander Inspector Gavin Drummond Sir Clive Loader Police and Crime Commissioner PC Joe Lloyd Oakham Police Simon Cole The Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police

2015

Leicestershire Police released sad news this evening. 

It is quite a shock, only last week I reading his reply to my email wishing him a happy retirement.

Leicestershire Police say:

It is with great sadness that Leicestershire Police announce the death of Simon Cole, aged 55, who recently retired from the force.

Simon, who had served in policing for over 30 years, was found dead at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, this morning.

This matter has been referred to the Coroner.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Simon’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “It is hard to put into words how devastating this news is for the entire force who loved and respected Simon. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and we will support them as much as we can.

“We want to respect their privacy and the Coroner’s process and would ask that the public and media do so too.

“We are offering support to our staff and those who worked closely with Simon.

“I know Simon had a great impact on many of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his death will be a great loss to many of the people he worked with.

“All we can do is pull together and mourn the loss of a greatly respected man.”

A public book of condolence will be established in the coming days via our website.

www.leics.police.uk

Simon Cole QPM grew up in Leicestershire and took up his position as Chief Constable of the force in June 2010. Having been educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester, Simon joined West Midlands Police on the Graduate Entry Scheme.

Simon joined Hampshire Police in 2003 as Assistant Chief Constable where he led on delivering Neighbourhood Policing. He became Deputy Chief Constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as Chief.

Locally Simon represented the force on the Strategic Partnership Board, working with partners from all over the force area to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. He had a huge impact on national policing portfolios and held a number of voluntary roles including;

Visiting Fellow of the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester

Member of the De Montfort University Faculty of Law Advisory Group

Vice President Leicestershire Guides

Vice President Leicestershire Scouts

Vice President of Police Mutual, which aims to support members of the police family

Board Member of De Montfort University (2017-2020)

Trustee of Care of Police Survivors Charity

Member, Oadby and Knighton Multi Academy Trust                                                      

He was a keen sportsman chairing the Leicestershire Police Sports and Leisure Section, Force Benevolent Fund and Police Sport UK National (PSUK) Lawn Tennis, cricket and Rugby Sections.

He was awarded a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Durham, an MA in History from University College, Worcester, and a Diploma in Criminology and Policing from Cambridge University. In 2014 Simon was very proud to be awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University.

In 2020, Simon was awarded the Sir Robert Peel Medal by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University. The Sir Robert Peel Medal is awarded annually for Outstanding Leadership in Evidence Based Policing; COVID meant that it was actually presented in 2021.

Oakham Town Council Co-opt another lazy resident Rita Garwood of Westgate Oakham.

Oakham Town Council Co-op another lazy resident Rita Garwood of Westgate Oakham.

for the North East Ward.

Lazy because they can't be bothered to go out their home and speak to residents and call an election.

Co-option suits Oakham Town Council. Co-option is not democratic.

It is not clear when Rita was co-opted. 

https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/meet-your-councillor/

I have no personal opinion of Rita Garwood. I am told she is a combination of former Cllrs Joy Clough and Joyce Lucas. If that is true how awful.

I do wish the council had employed as advertised a qualified clerk. If you click on Rita's declarations of interested on the council website you will be shown a former councillors document.

Folkestone Kent From the roof of Asda

Folkestone Kent From the roof of Asda