Born Free Renews Call for Reindeer-Free Festive Events Amid Welfare Concerns

Born Free Renews Call for Reindeer-Free Festive Events Amid Welfare Concerns

Animal welfare organisations are once again urging event organisers to abandon the use of live reindeer in festive displays, arguing the practice causes significant stress and is detrimental to the animals' welfare. This year's campaign, spearheaded by Born Free, Animal Aid, Freedom for Animals, and OneKind, has garnered the support of a record 35 organisations and experts.

A joint letter has been dispatched to dozens of event organisers, highlighting the compromised welfare of reindeer displayed in busy, unnatural environments like town centres, shopping malls, and Christmas markets. The groups are calling for organisers to demonstrate compassion and kindness by choosing animal-free alternatives this festive season.

The renewed campaign follows compelling evidence demonstrating the negative impact of these events on the Arctic-adapted animals. In 2023, the groups highlighted a report recommending that the use of reindeer in entertainment events be ceased entirely.

Further analysis of footage from multiple 2024 reindeer displays, conducted by animal welfare expert Dr. Tayla Hammond, confirmed severe concerns. Dr. Hammond identified that an alarming 75% of the reindeer displayed clear indicators of stress, such as trembling or avoidance behaviour.

The inherent pressures of festive events which include regular long-distance travel, exposure to loud, unfamiliar crowds, physical labour like pulling sleighs, and confinement to small pens are cited as major factors leading to severe risk of physical and mental stress, fatigue, and associated illnesses. Veterinarians consistently note that reindeer are difficult to maintain in captivity, with issues such as:

Poor body weight and weight loss

Muscle atrophy

General malaise

Despite the ongoing challenges, the welfare groups are celebrating a growing trend of event organisers choosing compassionate alternatives.

Last year, 218 events that had previously used live animals hosted successful, fun, and family-friendly animal-free celebrations instead.

Of the event organisers who received the joint letter in 2023, a significant 35% committed to going reindeer-free in 2024.

Early results for 2025 are already promising, with two major events that previously displayed live reindeer for years choosing compassionate alternatives.

These successful alternatives include creative options such as VR sleigh rides, animatronic displays, and 'reindeer runs' where people in costume raise funds for charity.

Take Action: Is an Event Near You Using Live Reindeer?

The campaign partners are urging the public to take action to help end the use of live reindeer in Christmas events.

Check the Map: The Freedom for Animals website features an interactive map showing known events planning to use live reindeer (marked in red). Clicking on a marker reveals the organisers' contact details, allowing concerned individuals to politely ask them to choose an animal-free event. When an organiser commits to going reindeer-free, the marker is turned green.

Report an Event: If you are aware of an event using live reindeer that is not yet on the map, you can report it via the 'Raise the Red Flag' online form.

www.bornfree.org.uk/news/born-free-renews-call-for-reindeer-free-festive-events/#map

The message from the organisations is clear: Christmas is a time for compassion, and that should extend to all animals.

You can find out more about the campaign and ways to take action by visiting the websites of the leading organisations: Born Free Foundation, Animal Aid, Freedom for Animals, and OneKind.

Historical Appointment at Oakham, Lucy Pearson Becomes First Female Head in 440 Years

Historical Appointment at Oakham, Lucy Pearson Becomes First Female Head in 440 Years

Historical Appoinnt at Oakham: Lucy Pearson Becomes First Female Head in 4

Oakham School is celebrating a landmark moment with the announcement that Old Oakhamian (OO) Lucy Pearson will return as the School's next Head, making her the first woman to lead the institution in its distinguished 440-year history.

Ms. Pearson, a former boarder, Head Girl, and distinguished England cricketer, will take up her post in September 2026, succeeding Henry Price. The appointment is seen as a powerful alignment of deep institutional knowledge—shaped by her personal experience—and a proven track record of strategic leadership across elite sport and education.

Lucy Pearson's connection to Oakham is profound. Joining the School as a boarder in 1983, she excelled in academic, sporting, and cultural life, culminating in her appointment as Head Girl and later serving as President of the Old Oakhamian Club.

Her return in 2026 is an acknowledgement of the strong foundation Oakham provided, including the bursary support that made her education possible. This background underscores the School’s commitment to combining strong academic ambition with exceptional pastoral care and broad opportunity.

After Oakham, Ms. Pearson read English at Keble College, Oxford. Her academic focus paralleled a burgeoning international career in cricket, where she represented England in both Test and One Day International cricket, earning the title of Vodafone England Women’s Player of the Year twice. This experience in elite performance instills a leadership style defined by high expectations, teamwork, and resilience.

Geraint Davies, Chair of Trustees, expressed his delight with the historic decision:

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Lucy Pearson back to Oakham as our next Head. From the outset, it was clear that Lucy brings not only exceptional experience but also energy, clarity of vision and a deep understanding of what makes Oakham special.

As the School’s first female Head, Lucy will honour our heritage while embracing the opportunities ahead. She will inspire pupils and staff, strengthen our community, and ensure Oakham continues to thrive in a fast-moving world."

Mr. Davies also extended sincere thanks to the outgoing Head, Henry Price, for his seven years of distinguished and thoughtful stewardship.

Lucy Pearson commented on her imminent return:

“Returning to Oakham feels incredibly special. The School opened doors for me... it instilled the skills and values that have shaped every stage of my life. I feel privileged to be returning as Head, to lead a School that gave me so much, and I look forward to helping today’s pupils discover their own paths with the same encouragement and belief that I was given.”

The School will be sharing details soon regarding opportunities for pupils, parents, staff, and Old Oakhamians to meet Ms. Pearson and hear more about her vision ahead of her start date in 2026.

Timeline of Lucy Pearson's Journey to Oakham School Head

Year/Period	Event	Detail
1983	Joined Oakham School	Began as a boarder, actively involved in academic, sporting, and cultural life.
School Years	Leadership Roles at Oakham	Appointed Head Girl and later served as President of the Old Oakhamian Club.
Post-Oakham	University Education	Read English at Keble College, Oxford.
Post-Oxford	Cricket Career Development	Developed her passion for cricket into an international career, representing England in Test and One Day International cricket.
Career Highlight	Sporting Recognition	Twice named Vodafone England Women’s Player of the Year.
Professional Journey	Deputy Head Role	Served as Deputy Head at Wellington College.
Professional Journey	Headship Role	Led the development of Cheadle Hulme School as Head.
Professional Journey	National Sporting Institution	Modernised the FA’s Education Division as Director of FA Education, delivering strategic reforms.
Ongoing	Charitable Contribution	Contributed nationally as Chair of the Lord’s Taverners, helping young people through cricket.
Summer 2026	Outgoing Head's Departure	Henry Price leaves to become Principal of Rugby School, Dubai.
September 2026	Appointment Begins	Lucy Pearson takes up the role as the first female Head of Oakham School.

Oakham Christmas Lights 2025

Oakham Christmas Lights 2025

Oakham Town Council is to consider setting up a working group at its next meeting.

The current £35,000 contract has ended.

Uppingham Town Council Prepares for Key Financial and Community Decisions at December Full Council Meeting

Uppingham Town Council Prepares for Key Financial and Community Decisions at December Full Council Meeting

Uppingham Town Council is set to meet on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Uppingham Town Hall, with a packed agenda that includes finalising the 2026/27 budget and considering new road safety initiatives

The most significant decision facing the Council is the agreement of the budget and precept for the 2026/27 financial year. The Finance & General-Purpose Committee (FGPC) has recommended a total budget of £271,398.

To support this budget, the recommended precept demand to Rutland County Council is £211,148. This figure represents an increase of just under 5% based on last year's figures.

Several agenda items focus on enhancing public amenities and safety, building on earlier discussions:

Road Safety Grant Application: The Council will decide whether to apply for a Road Safety Grant from the Police & Crime Commissioner's Community Action Fund. The grant window is open until January 12th, 2026. Potential measures, should full funding be secured, include the installation of Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS) or Fixed VAS signs, with typical costs ranging from approximately £4,000 for an MVAS unit to up to £6,000 for a fixed sign.

A decision is expected on appointing contractors to undertake essential works on both the path and lighting at Tod's Piece, including authorising payments over £5,000 for the completion of this work. This project is planned to be funded by utilising UKSPF and CIL funding.

The Council will consider a proposal to adopt more defibrillator (DEFIB) locations within the community's public realm.

An update will be given regarding the allotment land access, specifically focusing on the access required by a developer. The Council previously authorised the Town Clerk to negotiate proposals that would eventually provide vehicular access and a car park for the allotments at no cost to the Town Council.

The agenda includes the final decisions on two key recreational leases:

Club Leases: The Council is set to agree to the leases for both the Bowls Club and the Football Club, with the Town Clerk authorised to sign the documents on the Council’s behalf.

Financially, the Council will also review and authorise the Receipts and Payments List for November 2025 and note the summary of income and expenditure for the month. The previous month saw a payment of £10,685.53 to Rutland County Council for the Community Street lighting Recharge 25-26.

Looking Back: Previous Full Council Meeting

Prior to the main decisions, members will be asked to confirm the minutes of the last Full Council meeting held on November 5th, 2025. That meeting saw the approval of the previous month's accounts , the acceptance of a presentation on the Rutland County Council Shared Lives scheme , and a resolution to undertake the final works on the disabled access at the Town Hall for £2,000