Letter writers from Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland share their views
Readers have had plenty to say on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.
Don’t forget, you can always get in touch by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk
Thank you for everything
It is that time of the year when I try to thank everyone who makes Rutland a lovely place to live, work or visit.
So in no particular order:-
Rutland County Council forestry officer and his team. Storm Darragh must have given them a lot of extra work attending to the aftermath.
To the operatives at Cottesmore Amenity Tip for their help and friendly chatter
To the ambulance, first responders, police and fire personnel, where would we be without them? And the postal service who deliver in all weathers.
To all parish and town councillors who are unpaid members of the public who try their best in very difficult circumstances.
To neighbours who are always there when needed
To Tony and his near neighbour who cut the wide grass verge and attend to the flower beds at the junction of Braunston Road and Lonsdale Way. Residents appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm.
To Oakham in Bloom for all their hard work. The team would welcome anyone who would like to join this happy band of gardeners.
A huge 'thank you 'to the whole team at Oakham Medical Practice for their help and understanding..
To all who obey the 20mph speed limits, to dog walkers who pick up the mess made by their pets.
To this newspaper for giving us information of the county, where would we be without our copies each week?
To everyone who helps even in some small way to show community spirit for which Rutland is so well known.
I hope I have not left anyone out. I wish everyone a safe and peaceful Christmas.
Joyce Lucas
Oakham
An exciting year for Morris
May I seize the opportunity to keep your readers informed of news from Rutland Morris. We have had an exciting year with many new dancers joining us helping to keep our club forward looking and busy. You may notice that we are now called ‘Rutland Morris’ not ‘Rutland Morris Men’! We have an excellent new ‘Squire’, John Barsby, who took over from me earlier this month. Also,we have adopted ‘Root and Branch Out’ as our annual nominated organisation to benefit from our collections. ‘Root and Branch Out’ is involved in Forest Schools, allotment and growing projects, woodland management, and also surplus food community fridges.
We will have our usual Boxing Day madness again this year, performing our ‘world famous’ Mummer’s Play and dances from the Welsh Borders. We will be at the Horse and Jockey in Manton at 11am and the Market Place in Uppingham at midday (ish). So, come and get some fresh air, beat the Boxing Day blues, and join us!
Talking of joining us, why not make a new year’s resolution to become a Morris Dancer? It’s super fun, open to all, and an enjoyable way of making new friends and keeping fit. We are planning a free ‘Have a go at Morris’event on Sunday, January 26, from 10am until 1pm in Ashwell Village Hall and all will be made very welcome. Make a note in your diary. It will be a light-hearted event, and you will be guaranteed to be able to complete at least one dance before you leave! Details will be on our web site www.rutlandmorris.org.uk , and/or ask one of about it on Boxing Day!
Rutland Morris would like to thank all those intrepid souls who came out to watch us this year, in good weather and bad, and for your words of encouragement! It’s much appreciated. We wish a ‘Happy Christmas’ to you all, and we look forward to seeing the whole of Rutland on Boxing Day! That would be a sight!
Dave Casewell
Previous Squire
Church will close in new year
I write to inform readers that All Saints’ Oakham will be closed in the new year for the installation of a new lighting system. All our Christmas services will go ahead as planned up to the end of the year. Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, community and local and national grant making charities we are able to upgrade the church's lighting to the latest specification. This will vastly improve the light level for the congregation and choir, and for the many groups within the community and beyond which use All Saints Oakham. The new system will reduce our energy consumption as we work towards a more sustainable future. It will also be much more flexible for lighting different parts of the church for smaller or larger gatherings.
Our Sunday services will transfer to Oakham School Chapel by the kind agreement of the head and chaplain. Please visit the Oakham Team website or Facebook page for updates on services. The schedule of work begins on January 2 and if all goes to plan we will be back in All Saints on Sunday, March 9. The west doors will be open from 9am-4pm most days, so visitors will still be able to light a candle, collect the weekly newsletter, and pause for prayer in the welcome area at the entrance.
Revd Stephen Griffiths
Oakham
Closing crossing points would have an impact
Regarding closing crossing points on the A1, my view is to close all/ as many as possible.
I believe, for sure, it would help to make the A1 safer
Penny Hedley Lewis
Corby Glen
Village hall is impressive
Having attended the Twenty Christmas fayre on Saturday, I was extremely impressed with the magnificent restoration of the village hall which had stood disused for seven years.
The event featured a section of quality stalls including gifts, home made produce and artwork.
The stage, itself a superb facility for any community event of this type, was turned into Santa’s grotto with the man in red himself.
I was told that the restoration of the village hall was taken on in the summer of 2023 by a committee of just five members.
The committee obtained a grant from the Len Pick Trust for nee windows and goods, another other from the Woodland Trust Heritage: in November, 30 people turned out to plant 420 saplings on an adjacent piece of land, such is the enthusiasm that the revival of this facility is generating.
The committee relies on events like the fayre to keep the refurbished building open, and intends to seek more grant aid.
The end product of their work is an asset which has appeal to the locality far wider than the modestly-sized village that it serves and from what I saw, the committee has set a shining example for other groups which are undertaking similar projects for the greater benefit of their communities and maybe beyond.
Robin Jones
Baston
Thank you to staff and volunteers
As manager of AGE UK Stamford I would like to sincerely thank all my valued and wonderful staff and volunteers! You all do an amazing job, work so hard, and are a fantastic team to work with. Your dedication and commitment to AGE UK and its cause, to help those later in life, is second to none and you are all so appreciated.
I also wish to thank, of course, all those who have donated to us throughout the year, we are so grateful for everyone's support which keeps us going and supports other AGE UK shops too. We accept most things but are not allowed to accept furniture items, if you are ever unsure please call and check first on 01780 431466 (Please note new number), we'd be happy to advise. Please gift aid if you are able.
During the festive period please be mindful of those who may be feeling lonely , or be on their own throughout the holiday. A smile, wave or a card can make a huge difference, whatever your age!
Wishing all our supporters, in whatever form, a happy and healthy Christmas time and New Year.
Anna Gilbert
Shop Manager, AGE UK Stamford
Thank you for your help
Many thanks to the lovely people (Chris) and the young man and lady who helped me on Springfield Road on October 11 where I fell and for calling the ambulance. It was quick to Grantham Hospital where I received excellent care and my hand has now recovered.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.
Ann Wiseman
Buckminster Gardens, Grantham
What’s not to like about these buses?
You will have noticed that the white Black Cat buses no longer run the routes IT1 and IT2. The county council, which funds these services for us, has given the contract to Brylaine. The timetables are unchanged, as is the Hail and Ride facility; yes, you really can stick your arm out at any location where it is safe for the bus to stop, and it will. This is an amazing facility and deserves to be appreciated by more people. Who remembers when Springfields first opened and the vain attempt was made to run a shuttle bus service into town? Look how many buses fulfil that purpose now!So many buses now serve the Johnson Hospital, which means that the search for a parking space is less necessary. What is not to like about our local buses?But if we don't use them, we may lose them! Finally, a request from the bus drivers: please give a clear signal for the bus to stop for you.
David Jones
Spalding
Misleading
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) says Ofgem’s new proposal that energy suppliers offer two special tariffs in response to criticism of high standing charges on bills is misleading. The UK’s largest campaign group run for and by older people believes the plan, which may apply from next winter, is too little too late and that it will just allow energy suppliers to bury the charges elsewhere. The Ofgem plan would require energy firms to offer customers a choice of two new tariffs: one price, capped tariff that includes the standing charge, and another that loads the charges on energy usage instead. Jan Shortt, NPC General Secretary said: “This supposed solution from the government’s energy regulator Ofgem to deal with exorbitant standing charges for next winter in no way helps the millions of older, vulnerable, and poor who are turning off their heating and skipping meals this winter.“The special tariffs Ofgem is proposing won’t apply until next winter, and they can merely hide the standing charges elsewhere.”
Older people who have lost their winter fuel payment are in serious danger of falling ill as the temperatures drop. A new study by Age UK found that more than a million aged over 66 have been skipping meals to cope with the rising energy bills. They also discovered that 620,000 older people with long term health conditions were missing meals. Low energy users, which is an ever-increasing number now due to rising costs, are hardest hit with standing charges making up around two-thirds of their bill. For example, even if you cut back or turn your heating off, you will still have to pay the fixed standing charge. “This is simply not good enough by Ofgem, and the NPC will be writing to the regulator to ask them to reconsider this extremely weak proposal.”Every household must pay fixed daily ‘standing charges’ on top of their energy bills to cover the costs of connecting to a supply. But as energy firms report huge profits, while bills continue to rise, there have been widespread calls for the charges to be scrapped. In fact, 30,000 people complained to Ofgem when they held a recent consultation on the issue. Aside from the proposed new, additional tariffs in Ofgem’s planned pricing overhaul for next winter, is the possibility that some unpaid bills built up during the recent high-price crisis may be written off.The NPC continues to campaign alongside other concerned organisations for the Chancellor to reinstate the winter fuel payment this year, as there has been no proper analysis of the impact on the estimated 10 million retired and vulnerable people who will lose the £200 to £300 help with their bills.
Rodney Sadd
Crowland Unite union delegate - South Holland and The Deepings CLP
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