A remarkable piece of prehistoric history is at risk of being locked away from the community that discovered it. The Rutland Ichthyosaur affectionately known as the Rutland Sea Dragon is a once-in-a-generation fossil of immense national importance. Discovered right here at Rutland Water, this magnificent ancient marine reptile represents an incredible educational, cultural, and tourism asset for our county. Yet, despite its deep roots in our local heritage, Rutland County Council’s Cabinet has voted to abandon negotiations with Anglian Water to acquire the fossil, effectively deciding that the Sea Dragon will not be housed at the Rutland County Museum in Oakham.
The community is fighting back against this decision, and your voice is urgently needed to change the Council's mind. You can make an immediate difference by signing the official campaign petition at aliciakearns.com/rutland-sea-dragon.
The Council has cited affordability as the primary reason for walking away from the project, but the decision-making process leaves many urgent questions unanswered. The conclusion to abandon negotiations rests heavily on a Bank of England report published just two working days before a massive, 250-page council report advised that the project be scrapped. Furthermore, there has been no comprehensive financial assessment regarding the immense economic benefits the Sea Dragon would bring to our county, including tourism revenue and the long-term commercial future of our county museum. Local advocates believe that as little as £300,000 is needed to bridge the remaining funding gap, an amount that seems entirely achievable given that £2 million in Government funds has already been secured to revamp the museum. Leaving this fossil behind means turning away a massive opportunity to boost our local economy and inspire future generations.
The Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle, alongside local MP Alicia Kearns, are calling on residents to take a stand. If 1,500 Rutland residents sign this petition, the Council will be legally required to hold a full, transparent debate on the matter, giving the community a fighting chance to reverse the decision.
The petition explicitly urges Rutland County Council to use existing council funds plus any grants or donations to acquire the Ichthyosaur fossil by September 30th, 2026. It further requests that the fossil be displayed at the Rutland County Museum and that the petition itself be debated at a meeting of the full Council.
Every single signature brings the campaign closer to forcing this debate. Residents can support the cause right now by visiting the online petition link, or by popping into the Rutland County Museum to sign a physical copy in person. Physical copies can also be posted to anyone who prefers to sign by hand. Please take a moment to encourage your friends, family, and neighbours in Rutland to get involved, share the link, and help bring our Sea Dragon home where it belongs.
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