Powered by Grantham Journal, Rutland & Stamford Mercury, Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press Home   Rutland   News   Article Plenty of people must regard food as a means to stay alive rather than a source of pleasure in its own right And being in that number it takes a pretty special restaurant to get me talking - or writing - about it But I can’t seem to stop telling people how good Hitchen’s Barn is True, I’m not ‘discovering’ this gem of a restaurant - Michelin, the AA, The Good Food Guide and most of Rutland got there first that makes it more welcoming and agreeable than most None of the flash decor that can appear naff in daylight The atmosphere is ‘country pub’ not ‘fancy restaurant’ with tables arranged so conversations can be heard and other parties eyeballed Then there’s the ‘front of house’ experience On the busy Saturday lunchtime we had booked Lousie Hitchen greeted our little group with smiles and good humour while the two young waitresses consistently matched drinks and meal orders to everyone around the table without having to ask ‘Who’s having the double gin?’ Read more Eat My Words reviews here there was an excellent choice that included Rutland’s Multum Gin Parvo and Cap & Copper while Round Corner Brewing in Melton Mowbray supplied the beers (if you’ve not yet visited the taproom get yourself a train timetable and get over there) and on this occasion it was the ‘lunch for even less’ offer that had tempted us to book - two courses for £23 and a third for £4 more we all plumped for the goats’ cheese panna cotta with apple which was probably delicious but when even Heinz doesn’t sell it by the tin and anyone repelled by the ‘chalky’ texture of some goats’ cheese needn’t have feared Having looked lovely on the plate for all of five seconds which again won hands down against the opposition: roasted chicken breast with wild garlic mash and just the right level of salty to put you by the seaside without bringing on a stroke in the over 40s The three mini crab cakes that kept it company also made it into the top ten of mouth-watering flavours and the samphire did a good job of looking healthy without ruining the coastal vibe the apricot Bakewell tart with vanilla custard made it to the table managing to look and taste delightfully homemade without letting the side down on the presentation front A selection of Rennet and Rind cheese was tracked down on the regular menu Oakham takes bookings by phone on 01572 722255 Drinks: Great to see lots of local drinks available Beers weren’t on draught but big cans made the measures look like pints ***** Staff: Professional and put us at ease ***** Price: Two courses for £25 and add a third for £5 These aren’t huge portions but it still seems good value for very good quality Share your own Eat My Words reviews or tell us where to try by emailing: news@lincsonline.co.uk After a dream start to their 2025 campaign with a statement win over Yorkshire at Headingley Worcestershire Women turn their focus to Leicestershire this Sunday at Uppingham School hoping to build early-season consistency and continue their charge with another commanding performance who made her Worcestershire debut in that opening fixture the occasion could hardly have gone better A composed knock at the top of the order and a seamless transition into a fresh-looking Pears side gave her every reason to smile post-match but it was the collective nature of the team’s performance that stood out most “I don’t think anyone was expecting that result especially against a strong side like Yorkshire we proved we’ve got real strength in depth It was a brilliant way to start my Worcestershire career While many squads require time to find rhythm Worcestershire Women have hit the ground running despite a mix of long-time Pears and new arrivals has been evident both on and off the field I’m lucky in that I’ve played with a lot of the girls before Clare [Boycott] and I went to university together at Loughborough and I’ve spent time with Chloe Hill and Poppy Davies at Central Sparks It’s also been great to get to know some of the younger talents like Bryony and Ruby Davies That blend of familiarity and fresh energy was on full display against Yorkshire Gwen and Clare set the tone with a half-century opening stand before the bowling unit dismantled a strong opposition line-up with sharpness and control We would’ve liked to score a bit quicker up top but we did the job of laying a solid platform we were incredibly disciplined and focused It was one of those rare days where everything clicked.” the message within the squad has remained grounded and focused: keep the buzz alive but maintain the hard-working ethos that underpinned their opening success “It’s all about keeping the momentum going now,” Gwen explained “The energy around the group has been amazing That’s been the key message this week: enjoy the cricket Leicestershire present a very different challenge to Yorkshire With many players having crossed paths before it promises to be a competitive and familiar affair “Women’s cricket is a small world,” said Gwen “A lot of us have played either with or against players in the Leicestershire squad over the years and we’ve always been made to feel welcome and we’re really looking forward to returning.” One name that may draw particular attention on Sunday is former experienced campaigner Laura Crofts who brings experience and pedigree to the Leicestershire line-up But Worcestershire will take confidence from the way their bowlers dismantled a star-studded Yorkshire team and the team’s mindset remains focused on delivering another performance that reflects their growing self-belief While experienced heads like Clare Boycott and Chloe Hill have helped steady the ship and offer leadership it’s the emerging talent that has perhaps brought the biggest spark to Worcestershire’s early season form “Phoebe’s really impressed me,” Gwen enthused “She’s got such a mature head on young shoulders Ruby Davies and Bryony Gillgrass are other young names making an impression in the squad with their enthusiasm and willingness to learn adding depth and dynamism to the dressing room “It’s been lovely getting to know the younger girls,” Gwen added and they’re already playing key roles on and off the pitch she’s such a calming influence with the ball Davies is under no illusion about the importance of maintaining momentum and building something sustainable Last weekend’s triumph may have been eye-catching but she knows it’s consistency that sets teams apart over the course of a season and that’s where staying grounded comes in As long as we keep the energy and togetherness we’ve got now we’ll give ourselves a real chance in every game.” The foundations have been laid: togetherness If Worcestershire can channel the same focus and intent that fuelled their Headingley heroics there’s every chance they’ll leave Oakham on Sunday with another win Rothesay County Championship - Division 1 - 4 Day Vitality T20 Women's County Cup - Twenty20 Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women won by 5 wickets Metro Bank One Day Cup - Women League Two - 50 Over One Day Don't Miss The Biggest Match Of The Season Website designed by As charming as the Cotswolds, but with a cheaper price tag, Oakham has fabulous shopping, great travel connections, charming buildings, beautiful country pubs and a well-heeled vibe. Part of our Top 300 Places to Live series Vote for Oakham in our Leicestershire & Rutland Best Places to Live Readers Vote: Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicester Market Harborough Uppingham Rothley Bottesford Loughborough Lutterworth Don't already know how splendiferous we are? Read the Muddy Stilettos story We love to connect with like-minded brands and clients. If you’re interested in working with us click here for national and regional contacts. Whether you want to leave your feedback, ask a question or need help - click here to get in touch with us Reader Treats Terms & ConditionsRead our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions here a premium wellness club offering personalised fitness experiences the club has transformed part of a Co-Op into a fitness space infrared saunas and ice baths—redefining the premium wellness experience Founded by local entrepreneur and Stamford-based personal trainer Emily Baxter Method Gym is the first in the region to provide Small Group Personal Training Method is designed to offer a fresh take on fitness—focused on personalisation and accountability to create lasting transformations Baxter said: “It was recently reported that almost one in five Brits stop going to the gym after as little as one or two months It might be that they struggled with consistency or simply couldn’t find flexible timings for more personal Something that bridges the gap between budget gyms and private training—something designed to empower all people of all ages and abilities our professional team delivers a flexible schedule of tailored coaching to between four and six members at any one time and community of training alongside others It’s about more than fitness for us—it’s about creating a body and mindset you can be proud of.” Education and SEND Education and schools Children and young people Investing in Nottinghamshire A Nottinghamshire primary school is set to undergo a multi-million refurbishment to breathe new life into its facilities Work is to begin later this year on the ‘significant’ £2.5m scheme at High Oakham Primary School (HOPS) in Mansfield as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s School Building Improvement Programme The improvements include the installation of a new pitched roof replacement ceilings and lighting and upgraded fire alarm systems which will ensure that the Nottingham Road school ‘is safe and sound and fit for purpose’ as a place of education the county council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and SEND whose Mansfield South Division includes the High Oakham area Peter McConnochie, have visited the school to discuss the plans with headteacher Cllr Bradley said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit High Oakham Primary to talk to Stephanie and Michelle about the exciting plans to improve and transform the learning environment for staff and pupils “I always enjoy visiting schools and it was fantastic to experience the lovely inclusive atmosphere and meet pupils and staff during our tour of High Oakham “As a council we have a proven track record of investing in our schools and delivering multi-million projects to ensure that Nottinghamshire schoolchildren can thrive and be successful in the very best learning environment “I can’t wait to hear more about the significant work which will take place at High Oakham and I am sure it will have a really positive impact on the lives of the children who attend the school.” a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE deliver and cost manage the improvement scheme Headteacher Stephanie Astle said the work would transform the school environment She said: “Our children at High Oakham are wonderful young people and they deserve a place of education that is safe and sound and fit for purpose “A place where educators and leaders have teaching and learning at the front of their minds not leaks and inadequate lighting and acoustics “I really appreciate the time that our council leaders and councillors have set aside to come and find out on the frontline what it is like to be a young person at HOPS and understand the impact of the investment in improving our buildings “The visit allowed us to talk in depth and in context about how we strive to meet the needs of every single child including our children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities “Mrs Pollard and I are so very passionate about our most vulnerable children and we absolutely recognise the importance of being their voice and fighting for their opportunities to progress and develop alongside their peers “It was refreshing to hear Peter McConnochie speak so positively about the vision for SEND provision in mainstream schools and how our commitment to inclusion is recognised and valued.” I thought that it was very rare that I visited the small county of Rutland, until I was informed that the East Coast main line sliced through Essendine in the eastern corner of Rutland and I had therefore passed briefly through Rutland very often But I had never visited the small county town of Oakham with a population of just 12,000 and home of a magnificent church county museum and  an inland reservoir which is the largest reservoir in England – even larger by surface area than Kielder I was travelling to Rutland from the London direction, intending to catch the 2002 from St. Pancras via Leicester, for the first class fare of £32.90.  But on arrival at STP I found the train was cancelled, with none later the same evening.  So I crossed to King’s Cross and bought a replacement ticket via Peterborough.  Arriving there with LNER a few minutes early, I found a Birmingham train (by CrossCountry) being less than the minimum interchange time But I hurried over the footbridge and jumped aboard finally arriving in Oakham half an hour before the supposed arrival via Leicester applying for a Delay Repay to East Midlands trains when in fact I arrived 30 minutes earlier than expected in adherence to a tradition which dates back to 1470 can charm you indefinitely.    So a visit to Rutland Water is strongly recommended.  The lake shore runs to 23 miles and is a man-made reservoir created by Anglian Water a few miles east of Oakham.  I headed towards the town’s tiny Bus Station behind B&M in John Street.  Minibus R9 shuttles between Oakham and Stamford (in Lincolnshire) and runs roughly hourly to the village of Whitwell on the north side of Rutland Water Everybody opened and closed the door of the minibus themselves and nobody was paying any fares – it seemed to be a free service and enjoyed a snack in the Harbour Café overlooking the jetty for the Rutland Belle a pleasure boat with two decks which offered hourly trips over to Normanton Church This is the iconic church which could have been subsumed by the waves but was surrounded by a wall so whilst deconsecrated provides a focal point of interest on the south shore collected my bags from the pub and walked back to Oakham station for the train to Peterborough and home Lol I live here and even I hate visiting 😂 Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tell Your Story Advertise in Print Advertise Online ceremony and wax jackets are highly prized in England’s smallest county — all of which were on superior show at the unveiling of the world’s first posthumous statue of Queen Elizabeth II — a 7ft bronze depiction of the monarch in her youth alongside three of her favourite dogs The likeness was commissioned by the Rutland lieutenancy and funded by donations from local businesses and members of the public is just as pretty as neighbouring Uppingham but far more practical As well as offering slightly more house for your money a fine selection of independent shops and a growing wellness scene plus a railway station and the glorious expanse Home   Rutland   Sport   Article Oakham Tennis Club's ladies super seniors have got the summer season off to a sensational start They have won their league after recording five successive victories to complete their campaign with a 100 percent record The Rutland side finished well clear of runners-up Oadby Granville who returned three wins Oakham completed their title-winning term with a 5-3 victory over the David Lloyd Club from Narborough at the Vale Debbie Powell and Anne Boyce played well again and lost only three games in total as they forced errors from the visitors with strong drives and quick interceptions Their speed around the courts helped them return what might have been testing drives Joanna Maynard and Laura Reekie began well against the firsts but were unable to keep up the pressure Their rubber against the seconds see-sawed until they both won a set giving the home team the valuable bonus points Debbie Powell has played in four matches and has remained unbeaten and has been ably supported by Wonhui Buckley and Anne Boyce Oakham's men's team have now won two matches after their latest success over Syston (Northfields) Peter Farrar and Jeremy Wood won all four sets with relative ease as Wood's serving was too strong for the hosts Martin Reason had Rob Potter for a new partner and they worked well by taking a set from both Syston couples with their determination for a 6-2 win The men have two matches still to play when they hope to move further up the table.