NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories

RUTLAND Former Rutland Radio presenter Rob Persani has been appointed to lead a new project looking at whether it is feasible to establish a community radio station for Rutland. Rutland County Council confirmed last month that it would be launching the new project following a rebranding of the county’s existing local radio station, which includes a move towards more nationally-focused content. Rob has spent more than two decades working in the radio industry and will oversee the project to establish if a community radio station could be set up and sustained locally. “It’s already evident that there’s lots of support for a radio station that focuses solely on the local community.” “I’m proud to have helped do that here in Rutland over the past 21 years or so.” “As the county’s existing radio station heads in a new direction, I’m excited to get underway with this project and find out what is possible.”

“A great many people feel very strongly about the important role that local radio can have in representing communities,” says Council STAMFORD Air Traffic Controllers at Royal Air Force Wittering in Cambridgeshire have received a special award for their outstanding levels of aviation support and professionalism. With around 45,000 individual take-offs and landings every year, RAF Wittering is one of the busiest flying stations in the Ministry of Defence. In addition to keeping the airspace safe for elementary flying training, the Air Traffic Control Team regularly manages activity with heavy transport aircraft, jets and helicopters. Leader Oliver Hemsley. “We’re fortunate to be able to draw on Rob’s experience –not just of the radio world but

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AT WITTERING RECEIVE AWARD FOR PROFESSIONALISM....

also Rutland as a county.” n Unusually, the Air Traffic Control team is a combined military and civilian organisation. The visual control room, with its view of the airfield, is manned by personnel from Babcock International. The radar room downstairs, which sees aircraft beyond the airfield, is manned exclusively by Royal Air Force controllers. Flight Sergeant Katie Mason said: “Our aim is to provide a safe operating environment, and it’s a privilege to be recognised for our cohesive working practices.” n

RUTLAND Rutland Foodbank has been awarded a £500 grant to help them continue providing support throughout the pandemic. The charity was nominated by local MP Alicia Kearns for Western Power’s ‘In This Together’ community matters fund. Rutland Foodbank will use the cash donation to continue providing essential food items for families in crisis. Heather Armstrong, from Rutland Foodbank said: “We’d like to say thank you

very much to WPD. During the crisis it has been harder for our generous donors to find certain items to donate.” Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, said: “Rutland Foodbank has continued to be a pillar of support to Melton’s community throughout the pandemic and I am so very grateful to them for their hard work – which really does change lives. I’m pleased this funding will assist them in carrying out their phenomenal work.” n

SIGMA SPORTS HAS OPENED ITS NEW 4,000SQ FT RETAIL SPACE ON SOUTH STREET IN OAKHAM

SOUTH LUFFENHAM Losing her locks to raise lots, Rutland’s Vicky Laing recently braved the shave to raise over £4,000 for three local charities. 20 years ago Vicky suffered a serious riding accident and was taken to hospital by the Derbyshire, Leics & Rutland Air Ambulance with a broken back and crushed pelvis. Via a sponsored head shave and her Just Giving page Vicky has rased £2,725 for our two local air ambulance services and a further £1,265 for the Matt Hampson Foundation. n

OAKHAM Sigma Sports has opened its new Oakham store on the town’s South Street from which it will stock premium cycling, MTB, triathlon and running gear as well as providing a space for local cycling, running and triathlon communities, becoming a hub for the active outdoor community in the area. Ian Whittingham says: “We are very excited to bring our retail offering to Oakham. The expansion will allow us to engage with the cycling community around Leicestershire and beyond. n For more information see www.sigmasports.com. STAMFORD Stamford Arts Centre is to benefit from £100,000 of funding to create a new digital access point to the building which will include a new coffee shop, box office and tourist information point. The plans will include new computers for n council customers to provide an in-town location for council users to pay bills, gain access to council services and so on.

OAKHAM x

Christmas is just around the corner and that’s time when as all indulge a little... so why not go into the festive season fit and healthy? Kick start your fitness regime with a Friday NightRun or Saturday NightRun with likeminded folk on 13th and 14th November. The two 10km NightRuns have been organised by Run Rutland and are social events for those of all fitness levels. Both events take place from Normanton from 6pm, with refreshments at the end. For more details see www.therutland marathon.co.uk.

Laurence Stephen Lowry RA RBA | The Old Junk Man, 1963 | 9” x 12.5” | Original Pencil Drawing

New Fine Art Gallery Now Open in Stamford 5-8 The Mews • The George Hotel • Stamford • PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 5pm | 01780 480800

Also at Lees Yard • Holt • Norfolk | Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883

Well, who would? Particularly during the COVID pandemic we have all been living through. However chatting to Liz, Cat and Chrissy, the Nursing Team at Oakham Grange, we hear that nursing isn’t a ‘job’, but much more of a calling…

“I wanted to be a nurse from a young age,” says Cat. “I don’t actually remember wanting to be anything else. Maybe a hairdresser popped into my head for a short period of time but I was soon back to wanting to nurse.”

age I always knew I wanted to be a nurse, I worked as a support worker in my teens and loved being able to help and empower people helping to make a difference to people’s lives. I have always been an outgoing and thoughtful person, wanting to make a difference. I feel being a nurse does make a real difference to the level of care people receive, enabling everyone to live their best possible life, no matter what health needs they have.”

“Well,” says Chrissy, “I originally wanted to be a paramedic, but was advised to go into nursing first as it’s easier to transfer over, however I did my community nursing placement and loved it, so knew that was what I wanted to do.”

Liz: “During the COVID 19 pandemic nurses have been under extreme pressure, I feel proud of how quickly I was able to adapt to the government guidelines and assist throughout this time.”

“I helped out during Leicester local lockdown with increasing testing, I worked with the army to provide testing walk in stations across the city to attempt to control the outbreak.”

“That’s nursing,” says Chrissy. “You just got on with it, you have to learn to adapt to the current situation.”

Cat joins in: “When the pandemic began, I very quickly had to learn new ways of carrying out the nursing care to support patients whilst following the strict guidelines put in place to keep both the patients and us safe.”

“I learned that I can quickly adapt to situations that are completely out of the norm, and how important the support of colleagues and senior management is during a very challenging time.” “And now a new adventure begins for the three of us as nurse practitioners working together to provide nursing care at Oakham Grange. This is very exciting! To be able to work as a professional with friends who you have the utmost trust and belief in is very special.” “I’m the same,’ shares Liz. “From a young

“As a nursing team our aim is to provide the highest standard of nursing care to our residents, based on the individuals needs at any given time. We have many years of experience between us and pride ourselves on our skills and knowledge and the experience we can bring to Oakham Grange.”

Chrissy says: “We are an integrated nursing team that believe communication is key to providing up to date evidence based nursing care, we understand that moving into care is a massive decision and want our residents to feel supported through that transition, we want them to feel safe and understand that they can approach us with any issues/concerns they may have and know that they will be treated with respect and dignity.”

“Our aim is to empower our residents to feel safe, secure and reassured that the nursing team are highly skilled, competent, confident and even available for a cuppa anytime!” smiles Liz. n n Open now for viewings, Oakham Grange is based on Wheatfield Way, Oakham. To find out how you can arrange a free Dementia support session call Catherine on 01480 273273 or see www.ardale.co.uk.

Located in the heart of the attractive Rutland village of Barrowden, is an attractive, four bedroomed stone-built period property. Beautifully restored and maintained, this peaceful place offers a charming landscaped garden. Inside, the house is light and airy enhanced by the neutral décor and with considerably large windows. The living space includes a spacious reception room, dining room or study and a bright garden room with panoramic views of the garden. Upstairs is equally as bright and airy thanks to the very high ceilings throughout. The principal bedroom benefits from an en-suite bathroom whilst the further three bedrooms share a family bathroom. Outside, the gorgeous garden is a true asset to the property. The central lawn area is surrounded by flower beds and shrubs and features a magnificent Redwood tree.

On the edge of Collyweston, stands a magnificent country residence with breath- taking views over the rolling landscape of Rutland. The property was built in the early 1980s using local stone and materials. Set over three floors, it boasts four reception rooms and an impressive kitchen breakfast room on the ground floor. First floor accommodates a superb master suite with a dressing room, a bathroom and a balcony with a hot tub, as well as further three bedrooms and a bathroom and there are three more bedrooms on the second floor. Outside, the separate games room / studio building, adjoining a double garage, is an extremely beneficial asset and could serve many purposes.

A beautiful period cottage situated on an enviable plot in the heart of a premium Rutland village. The property offers extensive family accommodation with a wealth of character and is set within very private, glorious gardens and grounds of approx. 1.0 acre. 3 Reception Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen, 5 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms; Dbl Garage, parking. EPC Exempt (Grade II listed).

Stunning period cottage offering fully refurbished accommodation with lovely garden in one of Rutland's premium villages. The accommodation is appointed to an exceptional standard and includes a wealth of features, such as exposed stonework, oak beams, handmade English oak skirting boards, bespoke window shutters and balcony with panoramic views. Sitting Room, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clkrm, 3 Bedrooms, ES Shower Room, Btrm. EPC Exempt (Grade II listed).

A substantial modern detached property offering flexible and well proportioned family accommodation with ample reception space, five double bedrooms, four bath/shower rooms and useful ancillary accommodation set on a good sized plot within this well regarded Rutland village. Single Garage, off-road parking for a number of vehicles, attractively landscaped rear garden. Energy Rating: TBC.

A charming detached village property with dbl Garage, ample parking and established, private gardens enjoying southerly views over the Welland Valley. The property has been refurbished throughout and offers flexible and spacious accommodation with 2 Reception Rooms, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Clkrm, Utility, 5 Bedrooms, ES Shower Room and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: D.

Superb barn conversion beautifully appointed with good quality fittings and immaculately presented throughout. Accommodation is of flexible layout and provides potential for a g/f guest bedroom. Sitting Room, Dining Room, Study, Kitchen, Utility, 2 Dbl Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms; single Garage, lovely landscaped Garden. Energy rating: TBC.

Elegant 2-level apartment within a 17th century Grade II* listed mansion house standing in magnificent grounds surrounded by open countryside. Ground Floor: Entrance Porch, Hallway; First Floor: open-plan Living Room/Diner, modern Kitchen, generously proportioned Master Bedroom, further Bedroom, Bathroom. Energy Rating: F.

Guide Price £250,000

Offers in excess £375,000

Park Cottage, Somerby

A well-presented three bedroom cottage style property sitting on the edge of this popular village with beautiful countryside views.

A quintessential, two-bedroom stone cottage with beautifully manicured gardens and a one-bedroom annexe, sitting in a quiet corner of this Leicestershire village.

Guide Price £575,000

Chater Cottage, North Luffenham

A fully renovated, four bedroom character cottage with modern, open plan living spaces, stunning views to the South and mature gardens. Devonshire Cottage, Wymondham

A deceptively spacious, four-bedroom ironstone cottage, sitting in a quiet position within this popular Leicestershire village.

VALLEY VIEW, CASTLE BYTHAM NEAR STAMFORD LOCATED 9 MILES FROM STAMFORD, 15 MILES FROM GRANTHAM A DEVELOPMENT OF 4 & 5 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE FAMILY HOMES£POA

Drawing upon the expert knowledge of our in-house designers and architects, Valley View offers six 4 and 5 bedroom executive family homes on an exclusive gated development, finished to the highest of standards and specification: an exceptional build quality that has been designed to stand the test of time. A large luxurious kitchen to accommodate the whole family designed to make the most of the exceptional valley views; plenty of spacious bedrooms and bathrooms big enough to survive the chaos on those busy weekday mornings. Not forgetting the large gardens for those gorgeous summer days.

Oak stairs with oak newel, handrail & spindles or glass balustrades. Quartz, granite or Corian worktops and upstands. Air source heat pump system... Plus: the reassurance of an NHBC backed 10 year warranty.