NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Rutland & Stamford, including a welcome return for Oakham’s NSPCC Charity Concert.

NSPCC Christmas Concert Returns

WELCOME RETURN FOR CONCERT WHICH HAS RAISED OVER £310,000 FOR NSPCC

A welcome return to the county’s festive season! Margaret Wheeler, chair of the Rutland NSPCC Committee has confirmed the return of the local charity concert which many Rutlanders regard as the very start of their festive celebrations. The concert hasn’t been held during Covid, but it will return on Monday 5th December, with tickets on sale now. As in previous years the concert is a blend of music –including audience participation in what is usually a hilariously raucous rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas – plus speakers who deliver thought-provoking, touching or just hilarious Christmas sketches. Interspersing those for this year’s concert will be performances by Foresters Brass and the Rowell Camerata Mixed Choir. The event will be held at All Saints’ Church in Oakham, with a hamper raffle including prizes donated by Harrods, Otters, Gates Garden Centre and a couple of others too. Speakers this year are expected to include regular favourites including hotelier Tim Hart, Anne Davies of BBC Leicester, Lars Tharp and Nigel Colburn, although

OAKHAM a line-up is still being confirmed as Pride goes to press. Tickets £15 from Oakham’s James Sellicks and Don Paddy’s, Uppingham or by calling 01572 813626. n

Peterborough Cathedral

UNIQUE AND HANDMADE GIFTS TO BE ON SALE AT CATHEDRAL’S CRAFT & GIFT MARKET

Unique and handmade gifts will be on sale at Peterborough Cathedral’s Christmas Craft and Gift Market Peterborough Cathedral’s popular indoor Christmas Craft and Gift Market, taking place on Friday 18th November and Saturday 19th November. Set inside the beautiful Cathedral building, it is an inspiring space in which to do your Christmas shopping and offers a wonderful selection of gifts and crafts The Market is open on Friday 18th November from 1.00pm until 9.00pm and

PETERBOROUGH on Saturday 20th November from 10.00am until 4.00pm. The Friday evening coincides with the Christmas Lights Switch-On in the city centre, so it’s a great opportunity to pop in after the lights go up and see what the stalls in the Cathedral have to offer. Amongst the unique range of items on sale will be hand crafted jewellery, glassware, woodcrafts, handbound leather notebooks, vegan bath bombs, artisan oils and spices; not to mention honey, cupcakes and fudge! n Tickets, £2/person, see www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk.

Community Champions

SOUTH KESTEVEN CELEBRATES THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY...

South Kesteven’s community champions have been celebrated at a ceremony to recognise the people and organisations who have gone above and beyond to help others and make a difference. Deeping St James Community Primary School boosted awareness of key environmental issues including reducing litter, cutting electricity use and increasing recycling, winning the Best Green

SOUTH KESTEVEN Schools Award in the process, whilst Grace Knightall received the Lifetime Community Champion award for her 30 years service to the Royal British Legion. Bourne Army Cadet William Craft acted quickly to save a life following a serious road accident and received the Beyond the Call of Duty Award, and Gary Gooch was named South Kesteven’s Good Neighbour for 2022. n

Rutland MP overwhelmed by Christmas card designs

RUTLAND MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns says she has been delighted and touched by the response to her invitation for local primary and secondary school children to design her official Christmas card. This year’s theme is ‘Christmas Carols’ and as Pride goes to press, Alicia will reveal the competition’s winner! n

Meet Santa Claus’s Reindeer

FESTIVE APPEARANCE FOR SANTA’S HELPERS IN STAMFORD THANKS TO NICK DEAN & FAMILY...

STAMFORD Nothing is more likely to thrill little ones in the run-up to Christmas than the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer, and that’s exactly what Nick Dean and family are promising this month. One of just a few reindeer farmers in the country, Nick and his girls will be visiting Stamford’s Mole Country Stores on 15th December, where children can meet real live reindeer, find out more about their celebrity appearances and perhaps whisper in their ear to ask that they put in a good word with Santa Claus! We’ll also meet Nick and the girls later in this edition of Pride! n A pop-up Christmas Card Shop has reopened in St John’s Church, Stamford, after a bumper season last year saw the Cards for Good Causes shop raise over £75,000. The shop sells cards, wrap and gifts and is open seven-days a week.

STAMFORD n

£75,000 for Charities

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

STAMFORD

Enjoy Christmas Carols at Burghley House

We can’t think of very many places which make a better backdrop for festive Carols than Burghley House, and happily, we’re able to bring news of two festive services at the stately home taking place this season. A Christmas Concert takes place on Sunday 11th December from 6pm, with mulled wine and mince pies in the Tudor kitchen during the interval. Then, at 6pm on Wednesday 14th December, Burghley will host a Carol concert in the Great Hall, with music performed by the Cantus Choir. Tickets for each event £30/person, visit online at burghley.co.uk or call 01780 752 451. n

Remembrance Day in Rutland...

SERVICE IN GROUNDS OF OAKHAM CASTLE AND THE TOWN’S ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

As Pride goes to press, Rutlanders will gather together to mark Remembrance Day, with Rutland County Council, the Lord Lieutenant and the Royal British Legion all inviting residents to attend some events taking place throughout the county from 11th to 13th November. On Remembrance Day, Friday 11th November at 10.45am, there will be a short service of Remembrance, in the grounds of Oakham Castle. This will mark the day when the guns fell silent and the armistice was declared. This service will include a minute’s silence at 11.00am. At 7.30pm on Friday 11th November, in the Chapel of Uppingham School, Rutland’s first ‘Festival of Remembrance’ will take place, organised by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness. On Saturday 12th November at 7.30pm in All Saints’ Church, Oakham, Rutland Concert Band will present their annual ‘Music for Remembrance,’ which has become something of a tradition in recent years, and finally on Sunday 13th November, The County Service of Remembrance will take place at 2.30pm in All Saints’

OAKHAM Church, Oakham. Military Units from within the County and beyond will parade to the Church, from the Market Place, moving off at 1.55pm. n See www.rutland.gov.uk.

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

COULD CHUNKY FIND A NEW HOME FOR CHRISTMAS?

Three Counties Dog Rescue in Bourne is hoping that two-year old black lab Chunky will be spending Christmas in a new home. He arrived at the centre due to his previous owner’s ill health. The charity provides care, adoption and help for unwanted, lost or stray dogs, to support the charity, visit threecountiesdogrescue.org.

Lord Mayor visits Wittering

RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GEORGE COLE, LORD MAYOR OF LEICESTER, VISITS RAF WITTERING

WITTERING The Right Worshipful George Cole, The Lord Mayor of Leicester, visited RAF Wittering recently, attending the Station’s Honours & Awards Ceremony. The Lord Mayor is Leicester’s first citizen and is elected each year at an Annual Council. Originally from Jamaica, Councillor Cole came to England in 1964 and has dedicated much of his life to contributing to Leicester. After signing the Station visitors’ book, Cllr Cole was introduced to the logistics capabilities of No 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing, which specialises in deployed catering, transport, fuels & supply, and mountain rescue. n

WOTHORPE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Offers in excess of £1,400,000

A highly individual, spacious home stands in a superb, secluded location on the

south side of Stamford. With easy access into the heart of the town, as well as only a stone’s throw to the A1, has to be one of its prime assets whilst the 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home itself is an exceptionally striking build and presented in beautiful order. Down a no-through lane that branches off the main First Drift thoroughfare, the house is approached through automatic gates where a gravel drive in front of the house and double garage offers parking for up to 8 cars. Constructed in 2000, the impressive piece of architecture has a cathedral-like interior with a spectacular living space where the ceiling stretches up to skylights in the apex of the roof with timber cladding and exposed brick and stone, a major feature. The connection with the garden is excellent with many doors opening onto the outside. A paved terrace to the rear provides a private and sheltered sun trap for alfresco dining.

MARHOLM, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Offers in excess of £900,000

Pristinely presented up a gravelled driveway, The Birches, set in the idyllic village

of Marholm, was originally a bungalow. Having been spectacularly extended to create a substantial family home over two floors, the property now comprises a spacious open plan kitchen/dining/family room, a handy utility room, WC, a living room, study, and two en-suite double bedrooms on the ground floor, while a bathroom and four bedrooms await on the first floor - two with en-suites. Though exuding modernity, the property also maintains a welcoming warmth - a balance that many contemporary houses cannot boast - and offers ample garden space to the rear for children to run around, or for one to simply sit in tranquility amongst myriad trees. A stones throw from Peterborough, Bretton Centre is only a few minutes drive away from the well connected property, and the grand Milton Hall is also a short distance away.

NEW NEW

GRETTON £850,000

Substantial detached family home with 3 well-proportioned Reception Rooms, 4 Double Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms occupying a splendid elevated position, with large, private rear garden and enjoying magnificent 180 degrees views over the Welland Valley. The property has been refurbished to a demanding specification with an array of improvements and features a superb high-tech kitchen equipped with exceptional range of appliances. Energy Rating: D.

NEW

OAKHAM £595,000

Beautifully presented and much improved detached house providing extended accommodation in one of Oakham’s most sought-after areas within walk of town centre. The property occupies a large private plot with detached Double Garage, ample Parking and beautifully landscaped Gardens. Lounge, Dining Room, Garden Room, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, WC, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

NEW

MORCOTT £595,000

Detached house set on a good size plot with double Garage, ample off-road parking and large, mature gardens in the popular village of Morcott. The property offers spacious, well maintained accommodation with 2 Reception Rooms, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm/WC, 4 Double Bedrooms and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

WHISSENDINE £550,000

Spacious, modern detached family home with Double Garage and enclosed Garden set in the ever-popular village of Whissendine. The property offers very well maintained, extended accommodation with Sitting Room, Study, open-plan Living Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clkrm/WC, Master Bedroom with Dressing Area and Wet Room, four further Bedrooms, one of them with en-suite Shower Room, and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

NEW PRICE

EMPINGHAM OFFERS OVER £525,000

Detached property occupying a large plot backing onto wooded area with open farmland beyond in a highly desirable Rutland Water village. In need of general modernisation, the property offers potential to provide a fantastic family home in a highly sought-after location. Lounge/Diner, Conservatory, Kitchen, Utility, WC, 5 Bedrooms, Shower Room; Double Garage, mature Garden. Energy Rating: TBC.

MARKET OVERTON NO ONWARD CHAIN * GUIDE PRICE £650,000

A substantial, detached, individual property with private, mature, south-facing garden in a desirable village location. 2 Reception Rooms, open-plan Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Cloakroom/WC, 4 Bedrooms, Master Dressing Room & En-suite Bathroom, Family Bathroom; double Garage, ample off-road Parking. Energy Rating: C.

Guide Price £850,000 Guide Price £750,000

Little Acre, Clipsham

A superbly renovated and reconfigured single-storey village home finished to an exacting standard with a large plot and beautiful countryside views.

Guide Price £675,000 Old Walls, Lyddington

A wonderful, three bedroom iron-stone single-storey home sitting in a superb position at the heart of one of Rutland’s most sought-after villages.

Guide Price £600,000

75 Station Road, Oakham

An attractive, red-brick family home with four-bedrooms, off-road parking and garaging and a mature garden located within easy walking distance of Oakham town centre. Court Barn, Cold Overton

A beautifully-presented, four-bedroom barn conversion with off-road parking and garaging nestled into the heart of the village of Cold Overton.