Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Solemn Flag Raising at Oakham Castle, Video and Photographs

Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Solemn Flag Raising at Oakham Castle, Video and Photographs

Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Solemn Flag Raising at Oakham Castle

A poignant flag-raising ceremony was held at the historic Oakham Castle this morning at 10:00 am to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a day that marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. The event drew members of the public, local dignitaries, and military representatives to honour the sacrifices made eight decades ago.

A special VE Day 80th anniversary ceremonial flag was hoisted in the castle grounds by personnel from the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, stationed at nearby St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham. The regiment's involvement highlighted Rutland's enduring connection with the Armed Forces.

The solemn occasion was attended by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, who delivered a speech reflecting on the profound importance of VE Day and expressing gratitude to the veterans in attendance. Rutland County Council was represented by Vice-Chairman Councillor Samantha Harvey and Armed Forces Champion Councillor David Wilby. Adding a civic voice to the commemoration, the Mayor of Oakham, Councillor Paul Ainsley, read a proclamation.

The ceremony at Oakham Castle is part of a series of commemorative events in Rutland. This evening, Oakham Castle itself will be illuminated in patriotic red, white, and blue. Later, at 9:30 pm, a Beacon Lighting ceremony, organised by Oakham Town Council, will take place in Cutts Close Park. This event is part of a national initiative that will see hundreds of beacons lit in sequence across the country, symbolising the light of peace emerging from the darkness of war. Attendees at Cutts Close Park can expect Music from Oakham School, Morris dancing, a fish and chip van, and other entertainment leading up to the beacon lighting. Similar commemorative events, including a proclamation and beacon lighting, are also taking place in Uppingham.   

Looking ahead, Rutland is preparing for a larger-scale commemoration on Sunday, June 29, 2025. "Rutland Remembers: Our 80th Anniversary Celebration of VE and VJ Day" will combine the VE Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day anniversaries with this year’s annual Armed Forces Day. The day will feature a parade starting from Oakham Castle at 10:00 am, followed by a church service at All Saints Church at 10:30 am, and a "party in the park" in Cutts Close from midday, which is anticipated to include live music, dancers, food stalls, a beer tent, local stalls, a children's funfair, and a flypast by the RAF. The Lord-Lieutenant has encouraged local villages to create banners and flags to represent their communities at this county-wide celebration.   

VE Day Flowers 

arranged by 

Rutland Flower Club 

Oakham Town Council Staffing Committee Addresses Complaints, Staff Wellbeing, and Training

Oakham Town Council Staffing Committee Addresses Complaints, Staff Wellbeing, and Training

Cllr C Nix Deputy Mayor and cllr P Ainsley Oakham Mayor

Oakham Town Council's Staffing Committee convened on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to address several key issues, including a formal complaint lodged by Councillor Brookes, measures to support staff wellbeing, and professional development for the Town Clerk. 

The meeting was attended by Councillors S-A. Wadsworth, P. Ainsley (Chair), C. Nix, and C. Clark.   

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a formal complaint from Cllr Brookes, detailed in emails dated April 3rd and April 16th, 2025, regarding the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. After what was described in minutes as a "lengthy and robust discussion," the Committee unanimously agreed on a formal response to be sent to Cllr Brookes, proposed by Cllr Wadsworth and seconded by Cllr Clark.

The response, penned by Staffing Committee Chairman Cllr Paul Ainsley, assured Cllr Brookes that his concerns were reviewed "thoroughly and impartially." Key points from the Committee's response included:

Information Requests: Acknowledging that response times can vary due to workload, the Committee committed to reviewing procedural consistency to ensure equitable responses for all councillors, denying that varied response times imply bias.

Communication Protocols: Cllr Brookes was strongly advised to review the updated Oakham Town Council Communication Protocol, particularly sections on response standards and the correct use of CC and BCC, to align with council expectations and legal obligations.

Public Statements: Concerns about statements regarding emails would be verified with the Clerk, and any inaccuracies addressed.

Staff Behaviour: Issues regarding the Deputy Clerk’s conduct would be managed by the Town Clerk, who directly supervises the Deputy Clerk, in line with established policies. The Committee emphasized that "substantiated evidence is crucial to ensure fair and impartial review."

Confidentiality: All parties would be reminded of their confidentiality obligations regarding data handling. The Committee requested Cllr Brookes provide any further evidence relevant to his complaints.

Following the Committee's response, Cllr Brookes expressed his disappointment, stating the complaint was necessary due to unanswered questions from previous months and "rude email correspondence from staff." He emphasised his expectation of "professional and mutual respect" and not to be made to feel uncomfortable

Cllr Brookes also raised serious concerns about the conduct of Cllr Paul Ainsley, the Chairman of the Staffing Committee and Council. He cited an incident the previous evening where a fellow female council member was allegedly "broke down in tears in their car after an encounter with Cllr Paul Ainsley." Cllr Brookes described Cllr Ainsley's conduct towards this member as "bullying and disgusting" and confirmed he had raised this concern directly with Cllr Ainsley.

Review of Responses and Subsequent Staff Absence

The minutes also noted that Cllr Wadsworth raised concerns about some of the communications and responses she had received. It was agreed that Cllr Wadsworth would meet with the Town Clerk to explore these responses further. If concerns persisted, the matter would return to the Staffing Committee.

However, there was subsequent development: "Cllr Wadsworth arranged this meeting with the Deputy Clerk and was then told the deputy clerk was taking the day off. Shortly after this both the Clerk and Deputy Clerk went home sick due to stress related illness."

In light of the prevailing atmosphere, the Staffing Committee unanimously agreed to implement several measures aimed at bolstering staff wellbeing. An email outlining these proposals, proposed by Cllr Ainsley and seconded by Cllr Clark, was to be sent to all councillors and staff. The proposed measures include:

Strengthening the Councils Code of Conduct: To clarify expectations and effectively address inappropriate behaviour.

Confidential Reporting Mechanisms: Establishing or enhancing private channels for staff to report concerns about councillor behaviour.

Support Services: Providing external mental health support and resources for stress management.

Training Programs: Delivering sessions on respectful communication and conflict resolution.

Independent Mediation: Engaging independent mediators to resolve conflicts constructively.

Cllr Ainsley, in the drafted communication, emphasised that these proposals aimed to "ensure a transparent, fair, and supportive work environment."

Cllr Brookes said he does not feel the above proposals address his or other members' concerns. He is confused as to why Cllr Paul Ainsley appears to be setting up systems for staff to complain against councillors when the issue is that there are no proper procedures in place for councillors to raise complaints or concerns about staff. referring to confidentiality obligations Cllr Brookes stated that when he raised his complaints in confidential emails to members, these were immediately shared with all staff by a fellow member and the chairman of the council. He said this is unbelievable and unacceptable, damaging conduct. 

CiLCA Training for the Town Clerk

Finally, the Committee unanimously approved a plan for the Town Clerk, Chris, to undertake Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) training. Starting September 2025, Chris will be paid for an additional 0.5 day a week above his contracted hours to work from home and complete the training, which is anticipated to take approximately eight months. This motion was proposed by Cllr Wadsworth and seconded by Cllr Clark.

The meeting highlights a period of tension within Oakham Town Council, with the Staffing Committee taking steps to address formal complaints while also proactively seeking to improve staff welfare and professional standards.

Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Special Flag Raising Ceremony at Oakham Castle For those unable to attend in person, Oakham and Rutland News will be streaming the ceremony live via our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OakhamandRutlandNews.

Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Special Flag Raising Ceremony at Oakham Castle For those unable to attend in person, Oakham and Rutland News will be streaming the ceremony live via our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OakhamandRutlandNews.

Rutland Marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Special Flag Raising Ceremony at Oakham Castle

Oakham, Rutland – May 8, 2025 – A poignant flag-raising ceremony is taking place this morning at Oakham Castle to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The special event marks eight decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945.

A ceremonial VE Day 80th anniversary flag will be hoisted in the historic grounds of Oakham Castle at 10:00 AM. Representatives from the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, stationed at St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham, will have the honour of raising the flag.

The ceremony is a public event, inviting residents to join in remembrance. Dignitaries in attendance include His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness. Representing Rutland County Council are Vice-Chairman Cllr Samantha Harvey and Armed Forces Champion Cllr David Wilby. The Mayor of Oakham, Cllr Paul Ainsley, will also deliver a proclamation.

VE Day holds profound significance, and events across the United Kingdom today will honour the memory of all those who lost their lives during the conflict.

Rutland's Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Wilby, highlighted the importance of these commemorations, stating, “80 years after the end of the Second World War, the number of people who lived through this defining period in our history is growing ever smaller. This makes it even more important that we take time to stop and remember the incredible acts of valour that were carried out to protect our country and way of life. Rutland’s connection with the Armed Forces is very special and an immense source of pride to us all.”

For those unable to attend in person, Oakham and Rutland News will be streaming the ceremony live via our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OakhamandRutlandNews.

Oakham Rutland Set for a Comic Close-Up: Mark Steel's Acclaimed Radio 4 Show Coming to Town!

Oakham Rutland Set for a Comic Close-Up: Mark Steel's Acclaimed Radio 4 Show Coming to Town!

Oakham Set for a Comic Close-Up: Mark Steel's Acclaimed Radio 4 Show Coming to Town!

Mark Steel at Oakham Castle

Get ready for a dose of bespoke comedy as acclaimed comedian Mark Steel is set to bring his much-loved BBC Radio 4 series, "Mark Steel's in Town," to Oakham's historic Victoria Hall later this summer. The exciting news, announced in the Rutland Times this week, has already sparked a buzz among local residents eager to see their town through Steel's uniquely humorous lens.

One local resident, Martin Brookes, had the particular pleasure of a sneak peek into the comedian's research process. "I had the pleasure of meeting Mark and his producer and fellow comedian Carl Cooper in January this year," Martin shared. "We chatted about Oakham and Rutland whilst enjoying lunch at Castle Cafe Cottage. I have listened to past shows on BBC Sounds and the shows are great; I am looking forward to Mark's findings about Oakham and Rutland."

What is "Mark Steel's in Town"?

For those unfamiliar with the award-winning programme, "Mark Steel's in Town" is a comedic gem that has been entertaining Radio 4 listeners for over a decade. In each episode, Steel, a renowned stand-up comedian and writer, visits a different town or city across the UK (and sometimes even further afield).

The premise is simple yet brilliantly effective: Mark immerses himself in the locale, diligently researching its history, unique traditions, notable figures, peculiar landmarks, and any amusing quirks or local byelaws he can unearth. He talks to residents, visits local spots, and pores over historical archives, all to get under the skin of what makes each place tick.

Following this in-depth exploration, Steel crafts a completely original stand-up show tailored specifically for that town. The performance is then recorded live in front of a local audience, capturing their reactions as they hear their home celebrated, affectionately teased, and humorously dissected.

The show's genius lies in its intelligent and observational humour. Steel has a knack for pinpointing the often-unspoken truths and idiosyncrasies that give a community its character. While the humour can be sharp and satirical, it's always delivered with an underlying warmth and genuine curiosity, often fostering a sense of local pride and allowing residents to laugh along with a fresh perspective on their familiar surroundings. "Mark Steel's in Town" has garnered critical acclaim, including multiple Sony Radio Academy Awards and a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award, testament to its quality and enduring appeal.

Anticipation Builds in Rutland

With Oakham and the wider county of Rutland now in Mark Steel's sights, anticipation is high. What local legends will he unearth? Which peculiar Rutland customs will catch his comedic eye? And how will he portray the essence of England's smallest county to a national audience?

Given Martin Brookes' enjoyable encounter and the rich tapestry of history and character that Rutland offers, the Oakham episode promises to be a memorable addition to the "Mark Steel's in Town" series. Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for further announcements regarding dates and ticketing for the recording at Victoria Hall. It's an event not to be missed!