Monday, October 19, 2026

Tail-Wagging Success at the Annual Rutland Pet Festival in Oakham, Photo Gallery.

Tail-Wagging Success at the Annual Rutland Pet Festival in Oakham

The grounds of Oakham Castle came alive with paws, claws, and scales on Sunday, 18th October 2026, as pet lovers gathered for the popular annual Rutland Pet Festival, organised by Carolyn Acton Events.

The well-attended community event brought together families, local animal lovers, and an incredible array of charming pets.

Visitors spent the crisp autumn day exploring a variety of vibrant stalls set up both in the castle grounds and inside the castle walls.

Highlighting the diversity of Rutland’s loved animal companions, visitors entered an impressive 120 pets into the day's fun competition classes.

While dogs were well-represented, the visitors were delighted to see an array of exotic and small animals taking part, including a ferret, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even a snake.

Oakham Mayor, Cllr Martin Brookes, joined in the festivities and took on the delightful yet difficult task of judging many of the fun categories throughout the day.

"Well done to everyone who brought a well-behaved pet along, and huge congratulations to all the winners of the fun classes!" said event organiser Carolyn Acton.

Competition was friendly but fierce across all categories.

The full list of 2026 champions includes:

Category	Winner
Prettiest Female	Rosie
Most Handsome Male	Monty
Best Rescue	Winnie
Cutest Pet (No Dogs)	Dolly (Guinea Pig)
Fancy Dress	Taeru
Best Trick	Billie

An event of this scale relies on the generous backing of local businesses and sponsors.

A massive THANK YOU goes out to headline sponsor Rutland & Kings Veterinary Centre - Oakham for their essential support in making the day possible, as well as Tails 'n' Whiskers, who generously donated gift vouchers for all the class winners.

With such a fantastic turnout and memorable moments, animal lovers across Rutland are already looking forward to next year's celebration

Oakham & Rutland Events, organised by Carolyn Acton Events

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

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New Nursery Proposal for Oakham Snuggly Ducklings Day Nursery Aims for Early 2027 Opening

Families in Oakham and the surrounding Rutland area could soon have a brand new childcare option, with plans underway to launch Snuggly Ducklings Day Nursery in early 2027.

The proposed nursery aims to provide a warm, nurturing, and inspiring environment tailored to young children's learning, play, and exploration. To help turn this vision into a reality, the nursery leadership is currently engaging with the local community to gauge demand and gather feedback from parents looking for childcare solutions in 2027.

Because the project is still in its planning stages, community support plays a vital role. Local parents and carers are encouraged to register their interest through the official

Snuggly Ducklings Day Nursery website

Registering interest is completely free and carries no commitment.

Families who sign up will be among the first to receive progress updates and details regarding potential nursery places.

The team is urging local residents to share the announcement with friends, family, and other parents in the community to help build local awareness.

In addition to planning for children and families, Snuggly Ducklings is also looking ahead to building its team. The nursery is actively searching for passionate Early Years Practitioners (referred to locally as Educators) who want to make a meaningful difference in young children's lives.

Anyone interested in career opportunities can reach out directly via email at

info@snugglyducklings.co.uk

or visit their website for more information on upcoming roles.

Quick Facts

Projected Opening: Early 2027
Location: Oakham and surrounding area
Contact Email:

info@snugglyducklings.co.uk

Registration Link:

Snuggly Ducklings Day Nursery

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

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John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.

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Music for Remembrance Rutland Concert Band Performs in Support of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

As Remembrance season approaches, community members and music lovers alike are invited to an evening of reflective and uplifting music in Oakham.

The Rutland Concert Band will present "Music for Remembrance," a special concert performed on behalf of and in support of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: All Saints Church, Oakham

Admission: £5 (Tickets available on the door)

The concert offers a wonderful opportunity for the local community to gather, reflect, and pay tribute to service members past and present.

All proceeds from the event will go directly toward The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which provides vital financial, social, and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families.

Whether you are a regular concertgoer or looking to support the Poppy Appeal, the evening promises inspiring live musical performances from the Rutland Concert Band.

No advance booking is required simply arrive at All Saints Church on the evening of Saturday, 7 November 2026. Tickets are £5 and will be available for purchase directly on the door.

For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/

Discover Oakham High Street
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.

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Oakham And Rutland What's On Guide

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Rutland Christmas

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