Serious Collision in Oakham Pedestrian Hospitalised After High Street Incident Police Appeal For Witnesses

Serious Collision in Oakham Pedestrian Hospitalised After High Street Incident

A woman in her sixties remains in a serious condition in the hospital today following a road traffic collision in the heart of Oakham yesterday afternoon.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:55 PM on Wednesday, March 25, drew a significant emergency response to the High Street. According to Rutland Police, the collision took place near the junction with Church Street and involved a pedestrian and a white Ford Transit van.

The van was reportedly traveling toward Catmose Street at the time of the impact. While the driver of the vehicle was uninjured, the female pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.

Officers from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) have taken the lead on the case. Investigators spent much of yesterday afternoon at the scene, cordoning off the area to gather evidence and conduct initial inquiries.

In a statement released this morning, authorities addressed the spread of misinformation regarding the incident. Despite rumors circulating on social media yesterday suggesting the collision had been fatal, police confirmed the victim is alive, though her condition remains critical.

The police are now looking to the public to help piece together the moments leading up to the crash. They are specifically asking for Anyone who saw the collision or observed the van or pedestrian prior to 1:55 PM.

Motorists with dash cam footage or local businesses/homeowners with CCTV that may have captured the incident.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the collision or the circumstances leading up to it to please get in touch," a spokesperson for the SCIU stated.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or visiting is online at https://leicspolice.link/iOnL8 quoting 26*172049.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/

Rutland Sheds 'Highest Tax' Title as Prudent Budgeting Triggers National Slide

Rutland Sheds 'Highest Tax' Title as Prudent Budgeting Triggers National Slide

Rutland has officially moved down the national league table for Council Tax charges, signaling a major shift for a county that has spent years at the very top of England’s cost-of-living rankings. Following the release of official UK Government data for the 2026/27 financial year, Rutland County Council has dropped to 8th place nationally for Band D Council Tax, a milestone that local leaders are attributing to a "prudent and disciplined" approach to the public purse.

For several years, Rutland was frequently cited as the highest-charging authority in the country, a reputation that has weighed heavily on the small, rural unitary authority. However, while the vast majority of councils across England opted to hike taxes by the maximum permitted 5% this year, Rutland bucked the trend. By freezing general Council Tax and applying only a 2% increase strictly earmarked for the Adult Social Care precept the council has managed to record one of the smallest annual increases in the UK.

The financial impact for residents is a rise of  £44.38 for the year, bringing the total Band D charge to £2,263.33. This breaks down to an increase of roughly £3.70 per month, a stark contrast to the significantly higher jumps seen in neighbouring regions.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Cabinet Member for Resources and Governance, noted that the drop in rankings represents the culmination of three years of tireless work to keep spending in check. According to Cllr Johnson, the council has been forced to "drive value for money" while navigating a landscape where national government funding has been stripped away. He argues that the new data tells a very different story than the one residents have grown used to hearing.

Despite the slide down the rankings, Rutland’s tax levels do remain above the national average. Council leadership maintains that this is an unavoidable reality of running a unitary authority in a sparsely populated rural area, where the costs of service delivery are high and central funding is low. However, Cllr Johnson was quick to point out that Rutland is "no longer the outlier it once was."

The move marks a strategic victory for the council, which has long been fighting for a fairer funding formula from Westminster. By moving down the league table despite immense financial pressures, the authority aims to prove that its budgeting strategy is working. For now, the focus remains on protecting essential services while continuing the push for a funding model that better reflects the unique challenges of the country’s smallest county.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/

Illness Outbreak Forces Partial Closure at Langham CE Primary School

Illness Outbreak Forces Partial Closure at Langham CE Primary School

In a sudden response to a rising tide of gastrointestinal illness, Langham CE Primary School has announced a partial closure scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026. 

The decision comes after a significant increase in reported cases of sickness and diarrhoea within the school community, prompting officials to take preventative measures to halt further transmission.

The closure is specifically targeted at Key Stage 2, affecting all students in Years 3 through 6. School leadership clarified that the measure is not a full campus shutdown; the Nursery, Foundation Stage, and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) are currently expected to remain open and operate on their normal schedules.

In a direct communication to parents and guardians, the school underscored the critical importance of the "48-hour rule." Families are being urged to keep any symptomatic child at home until at least two full days have passed since their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

This recovery period is described by school officials as essential, not only for the child’s full recuperation but as a vital barrier to protect other students and staff from a broader outbreak.

While many cases of stomach bugs are short-lived, the school’s guidance includes a directive to seek medical attention via a GP or NHS 111 if symptoms persist for more than two days. Parents are also advised to watch for secondary signs of distress, such as high fever, extreme lethargy, or dehydration.

The school administration expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation during the disruption. Further updates regarding the status of Key Stage 2 classes for the following week are expected to be delivered via the school's internal email system.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/

Oakham’s ‘Wool Zone’ to Closes as Owner Retires

Oakham’s ‘Wool Zone’ to Closes as Owner Retires
By Staff Reporter Oakham, Rutland

Julie Beardwell, the owner of The Wool Zone, has announced she has retired.

Since its opening, The Wool Zone has been far more than a simple retail outlet. For many Oakham residents, it served as a creative sanctuary a place where beginners nervously cast their first stitches.

Under Julie’s stewardship, the shop became a cornerstone of the local shopping experience. Known for its curated selection of British wools and artisan yarns, the store consistently defied the trend of online-only shopping by offering something a screen never could tactile inspiration and expert, face-to-face troubleshooting.

While the owner looks forward to a well-earned rest and more time for her own creative pursuits, the departure of The Wool Zone leaves a significant gap in Oakham’s independent shopping scene.

For More News, Jobs, What's On, Discover Oakham and More Visit: 

https://oakhamandrutlandnews.co.uk/