High Sheriff helps Officially Opens Refurbished Exton Play Park in Celebration of Village Community

Image by Cllr Heckels : High Sheriff of Rutland, Susannah Fish and Ruth Pollard

High Sheriff helps Officially Opens Refurbished Exton Play Park in Celebration of Village Community

The Playpark was opened by 94 year old Annie Lea a much loved village resident.

The village of Exton marked a historic community milestone as the newly refurbished Exton Play Park was officially opened by the High Sheriff of Rutland, Susannah Fish. 

A central highlight of the celebration was the presentation of a prestigious certificate from High Sheriff Susannah Fish to Ruth Pollard. The award recognised Ruth Pollard’s exemplary leadership, dedication, and service to the community throughout the campaign to transform the site adjacent to the local primary school into a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment. 

The Parish Council nominated Ruth Pollard for a High Sheriff Award in recognition of the outstanding effort she did to raise funds for the PlayPark.

"Exton Play Park stands as a testament to what small communities can achieve when dedicated volunteers and generous supporters pull together for the next generation."

The journey from an outdated play area to a state-of-the-art facility was powered entirely by grassroots teamwork and community activism. Realising the need for modern equipment, local volunteers formed the Play Action Group Exton (PAGE) committee, chaired by Ruth Pollard. Together, the team organised a diverse calendar of village events that brought residents together while raising vital capital.

Fundraising efforts spanned all seasons across the village. 

Bringing the complete project vision to life required a combination of local community giving, public grants, and strategic partnerships. While the volunteer events provided essential momentum and community pride, the venture was backed by capital contributions from the Exton Parish Council, alongside financial support from local philanthropic donors, landowners, and regional grant-awarding bodies.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the PAGE committee, generous donors, and the parish council, along with a group of residents forming P.A.G.E. (Playground Action Group Exton). A grant received from FCC Communities also made the project possible.

 

The village now boasts a high-quality recreational haven that will serve local children and families for generations to come. 

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Rutland Launches ‘Maya’: A 24/7 Digital Assistant for Adult Social Care

Rutland Launches ‘Maya’: A 24/7 Digital Assistant for Adult Social Care

Finding reliable advice on adult social care can often feel overwhelming, especially for individuals navigating the system for the first time or family members trying to arrange support for a loved one. 

To make this process clearer and more accessible, Rutland County Council officially launched a brand-new online aid named Maya on 26 October 2026.

The digital assistant is built directly into the council's website and is also available via WhatsApp, giving residents, carers, and healthcare professionals round-the-clock access to trusted guidance.

Rather than wading through complex pages, users can ask Maya questions in their own words and receive tailored information in multiple languages 24 hours a day. The system helps guide users through key topics such as:

Booking care assessments, arranging post-hospital discharge support, and discovering equipment or home adaptations.

Finding local care services, identifying support for unpaid carers, and connecting with local community groups to stay active and independent.

Understanding how care is paid for and reporting concerns about individuals who may be at risk.

Maya is designed to provide information and direct residents to appropriate services. It does not replace professional human judgment, make decisions about care, or complete official care assessments.

The launch comes at a crucial time for the area. Rutland currently has a higher proportion of older residents than both the East Midlands and national averages, with more than a quarter of the population aged 65 and over a demographic projected to grow by over 40% by 2047.

Ensuring that adult social care resources remain easily accessible is vital for meeting future demand.

Councillor Diane Ellison, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health at Rutland County Council, highlighted the goal of the initiative:

"Adult social care helps anyone who needs support because of age, disability, illness, mental health needs or other circumstances... All of this information is available online, but it can sometimes feel complicated or difficult to find. Our new digital assistant has been introduced to solve this problem... It doesn't replace our fantastic adult social care teams, who will continue to give advice, carry out assessments and provide support whenever it's needed."

Rutland County Council was recently ranked first out of 150 local authorities for several Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) measures including user satisfaction, safety, and social care-related quality of life. Maya aims to build on that success by ensuring help is always just a click or text away.

For residents who prefer speaking to a person directly, the council’s adult social care team remains fully operational over the phone during standard hours at 01572 758 341.

To try the new digital assistant online or connect via WhatsApp, visit the official page at www.rutland.gov.uk/maya.

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Oakham Bids Farewell to the ‘Christmas Cone’ as Real 20ft Tree To Take Center Stage.

One of the parcel to be displayed at the base of the real tree.

Oakham Bids Farewell to the ‘Christmas Cone’ as Real 20ft Tree To Take Center Stage.

After seven years of controversy and debate over the infamous "Christmas Cones," Oakham Town Council decided that a real Christmas tree will grace the town centre this festive season.

The council has accepted a generous donation from the Rutland Garden Centre, a magnificent 20-foot real Christmas tree. 

The tree will be adorned with 12 sets of festive lights, and three illuminated gift parcel decorations will sit displayed at its base.

Oakham’s Mayor, Cllr Martin Brookes, expressed his delight at the return to tradition, stating that he is personally very pleased to see a real tree returning to the heart of the town.

While the return of a traditional tree marks a major step forward, the council's broader efforts to enhance Christmas displays across Oakham faced unexpected setbacks. Mayor Martin Brookes revealed that plans to improve town-wide decorations were hit when it was discovered that someone had removed all the light brackets on one side of the High Street. Unfortunately, the discovery was made too late in the season to source and install replacements.

Power infrastructure has also limited festivities elsewhere. Due to a lack of power supply, Gaol Street will regrettably have no Christmas lights this year a outcome he described as "extremely disappointing." 

On a brighter note, Mill Street will feature festive lighting, retaining the same display as last year after quotes for upgraded lights proved cost-prohibitive.

Despite this year's logistical hurdles, Oakham Town Council is setting its sights on a major festive revamp in the near future. In January, the council will launch a formal tender process for a new, multi-year contract aimed at delivering an enhanced lighting display for the town over the next three years and it is hoped the council will once again agree to illuminate all five town centre streets.

For now, residents can look forward to seeing the new 20ft tree lit up, marking the end of the "Christmas Cone" era and bringing a classic touch of holiday cheer back to Oakham.

Residents and visitors alike are invited to gather in Oakham Town Centre for the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On, set to bring warmth, cheer, and sparkle to the heart of Rutland.   

Date: Sunday, 22nd November   

Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM   

Location: Oakham Town Centre   

Organisers: Oakham Town Council   

The High Street and Market Place will be closed to traffic all day.

Festive Fun for the Whole Family Running from midday until 5:00 PM, the event promises a afternoon packed with holiday entertainment and activities suitable for all ages. 

Visitors can look forward to:   The Lions Club of Rutland Santa’s Sleigh. A special appearance that is sure to delight the little ones.   

Family Entertainment & Fair Rides, Amusements, including a bouncy castle and fairground rides to keep children entertained throughout the afternoon.   

Delicious Food & Drink: Festive treats, warm beverages, and local food stalls to keep everyone cosy.   

Seasonal Shopping: Plenty of opportunities to browse stalls and local shops to find unique gifts for loved ones.   

Community Thanks Oakham Town Council has extended a special thank you to Rutland Nursery for generously donating this year’s stunning Christmas tree, which will serve as the centerpiece of the town's Christmas display.   

Sponsor: Rutland Nursery (Garden Centre, Lifestyle Shop & Restaurant)   

Address: Lyndon Road, Manton, Rutland, LE15 8RN   

Mark your calendars for Sunday, 22nd November, and gather your family and friends in Oakham Town Centre to welcome the Christmas season together.

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New Civil Powers Introduced to Tackle Persistent Antisocial Behaviour Across Leicestershire and Rutland

New Civil Powers Introduced to Tackle Persistent Antisocial Behaviour Across Leicestershire and Rutland

Authorities across Leicestershire and Rutland have gained powerful new legal tools to crack down on repeat perpetrators of antisocial behaviour (ASB).   

Starting 26 October 2026, Leicestershire Police, Rutland County Council, Leicester City Council, and the seven district and borough councils across the region will officially begin utilising Respect Orders. 

These civil powers are designed to target persistent offenders who cause ongoing distress in local communities.   

Introduced nationwide as part of the landmark Crime and Policing Act 2026, Respect Orders provide police, local authorities, and housing providers with a combined enforcement and rehabilitative framework

Courts can place legal restrictions on an adult perpetrator's behaviour to halt disruptive conduct.

Orders can mandate mandatory participation in targeted support services such as drug or alcohol rehabilitation, anger-management courses, or other rehabilitation programmes.

Crucially, violating a Respect Order is a criminal offence. Suspected breaches allow for immediate arrest, holding perpetrators accountable under criminal law.   

Each case will be assessed individually based on risk evaluations, gathering of evidence, and community context before an order is requested.   

Superintendent Stephen Bunn (ASB Lead, Leicestershire Police) “We know that antisocial behaviour can have a serious and lasting impact on victims, families and the community. Respect Orders give us and our partners another important tool to tackle those who repeatedly cause harm. By working together, we can take robust action while addressing the causes of offending and helping make our neighbourhoods safer.”  

 Rupert Matthews (Police and Crime Commissioner)“ASB is a top priority for the public and I back our officers and our partners to utilise the full arm of the law when dealing with the perpetrators of this distressing behaviour. Respect Orders will add to the suite of tools already in place to protect communities and hold offenders accountable.”   

Nicola Odom (Head of Safer Communities, Leicester City Council)“We welcome these new powers and have been working with Leicestershire Police to ensure we can take full advantage of them when they are launched. The Respect Orders will enable us to deal with persistent offenders and to ensure they get the support they need to change their behaviour, which is available but often refused.”   

Protecting Communities in Rutland and Beyond For local residents in Rutland and surrounding areas, these measures build directly upon ongoing initiatives under the force’s broader ASB Action Plan. This includes increased high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot zones, early intervention strategies, and boosted assistance for repeat or vulnerable victims.   

Further Reading & Official Information

For additional details on how the new legislation operates, read the official government overview: 

Crime and Policing Act 2026: 

Anti-Social Behaviour Factsheet: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crime-and-policing-act-2026-factsheets/crime-and-policing-act-2026-anti-social-behaviour-asb-factsheet

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