Stamford Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Storm Bert

Stamford Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Storm Bert

Stamford Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Storm Bert

In a disappointing announcement, organisers Stamford Town Council have been forced to cancel this year's Stamford Christmas Market due to severe weather conditions. Storm Bert, predicted to bring high winds to the area on Sunday, has raised significant safety concerns for market traders, residents, and visitors.

Councillor Jo Winterbourne, the event organiser, expressed deep regret over the decision, stating, "We have exhausted all possibilities to make the Christmas Market happen, but prioritising safety is our utmost concern. The decision was not taken lightly, as months of preparation have gone into this event."

Winterbourne extended gratitude to all involved, especially the market traders who had shown enthusiasm and support. She concluded by expressing hope for a larger and more successful market in 2025.

The cancellation has undoubtedly dampened the festive spirit in Stamford, but the organisers' commitment to public safety is commendable. As the community navigates through this setback, anticipation for the 2025 Christmas Market already begins to build.

Catmose Sports Centre Closure: Full Details Revealed

Catmose Sports Centre Closure: Full Details Revealed

Rutland County Council has finally released the full details surrounding the controversial closure of Catmose Sports Centre. The information, previously withheld due to commercial sensitivity, has been made public following successful negotiations with Catmose College and Sport England.

The decision to close the centre was made earlier this year after a lengthy bidding process revealed that commercial leisure companies would only operate the facility if they received significant subsidies from the council.

Key Points:

Lease Termination: The council successfully terminated its lease with Catmose College on July 17th, 2024.

Grant Repayment: Sport England has agreed to waive the repayment of a £500,000 grant awarded for the centre's construction in 2008.

Financial Implications: The council will incur costs of approximately £120,000 for dilapidations, energy bills, and final operating costs.

Council Leader Gale Waller stated, "The decision to close Catmose Sports Centre was not taken lightly. It was a difficult choice, but ultimately, it was the right one to protect public funds. The emerging leisure market, with a new fitness centre at the Burley Road Co-op site, offers exciting opportunities for residents and will provide modern facilities without the constraints of a shared space with a secondary school."

This link will take you to Rutland County Councils website where you can now read all the previously exempt agenda documents from the 25th March 2024 meeting.

https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=145&MId=2785

This link will take you to Rutland County Councils website where you can read all documents from the special meeting  held on the 18th April, 2024 

https://rutlandcounty.moderngov.co.uk/mgChooseDocPack.aspx?ID=2904 

Editors' Comment:

Does Cllr Gale Waller realise that the new gym being built at the Co-op site is advertised as the Oakham Exclusive Gym and Wellness Club? The term "Exclusive" typically implies a premium price point. It's questionable whether this facility can truly serve as a replacement for Catmose Sports Centre, which offered a more inclusive and affordable option for the community.

https://www.method-gym.com/

Linda Chatfield Wins Close Rutland County Council By-Election for Oakham North East and the Liberal Democrats

Linda Chatfield Wins Close By-Election for Oakham North East

  

 

The Returning Officer at Rutland Council declaring the result for the Oakham North East By Election

 

In a closely contested by-election, Linda Chatfield has successfully secured the Liberal Democrat seat for Oakham North East on Rutland County Council. The election saw a spirited race, culminating in Chatfield receiving 244 votes, just edging out the Conservative candidate, Christopher Clark, who garnered 237 votes. Reform UK’s Benjamin Callaghan followed with 93 votes, while Labour’s Katie Ross received 23 votes. The voter turnout for the by-election stood at 27%, with no spoiled ballots reported.

 

Chatfield expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated in the election, emphasising the importance of civic engagement despite the challenging weather conditions that characterised the campaign period. “I am thankful to everyone who took the time to vote, especially considering how cold it has been,” she stated. 

Moreover, Chatfield extended her appreciation to her campaign team, highlighting their dedication in canvassing and connecting with the community over the past month, rain or shine. “It has been a team effort throughout this process. I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my team,” she acknowledged.

This victory marks a significant moment for the Liberal Democrats, reflecting both the determination of Chatfield and the support from local residents. As she embarks on her term, Chatfield aims to represent the interests of her constituents and address the key issues facing the Oakham North East area. 

With just a slight margin of victory, the by-election results indicate a competitive political landscape in Rutland, setting the stage for future elections and highlighting the importance of voter turnout in shaping local governance.

Rutland County Council Oakham North East By-Election: Vote Counting Underway Today at 10am this morning,

Rutland County Council Oakham North East By-Election: Vote Counting Underway Today at 10am this morning.

Rutland County Council Oakham North East by- election counting of votes to start at 10am this morning.

(Friday 22 November 2024)

Oakham North East By-Election: Vote Counting Underway Today

Today marks a crucial day for the Oakham North East constituency as the vote counting for the by-election begins this morning at 10:00 am. Oakham and Rutland News will be on-site to observe the count and will bring you the results as soon as they are available.

The by-election was prompted by the sad death of Hannah Edwards, a diverse range of candidates is vying for the position. The candidates standing for election are:

- Ben Callaghan – Reform UK  

- Linda Louise Chatfield – Liberal Democrats  

- Christopher StJohn Eric** – The Conservative Party  

- Katie Ross – Labour Party  

Ballot boxes were received at the count venue following the close of polls last night, and preparations are now underway for the verification and counting process. At 10:00 am sharp, election officials will begin to empty the ballot boxes, ensuring a thorough verification process. This involves checking the totals against the ballot paper accounts, which meticulously record how many papers were issued at each polling station. Notably, this process will also include a verification of postal votes.

Once the verification is completed, counters will start tallying the votes for each candidate. They will separate the ballots into distinct piles for each nominee and record the number of votes accrued. This process will continue diligently until all ballots have been counted.

To uphold the integrity of the election, the figures will be double-checked to ensure they align with the verification numbers. After the totals have been accepted, the candidates will be consulted prior to the official declaration. It’s worth noting that under specific circumstances, backed by reasonable grounds, the Returning Officer may allow for a recount.

The results are expected to be announced between 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm today, Friday 22 November 2024. As the community eagerly awaits the outcome, all eyes will be on the counting venue to see who will secure a victory in this pivotal election.