With just a few weeks until we celebrate Oakham Nub News' first anniversary, it's the perfect time to remind ourselves - and our readers - about what makes the town special.

A strong sense of community and traditional values are the hallmarks of Oakham's unique charm.

Oakham is the county town of Rutland, England's smallest county reinstated in 1997 after having been absorbed into Leicestershire in 1974.

The town dates back to Saxon times, with the royal manor from the period fortified in 1180 by Norman baron Walkelin de Ferrers to create Oakham Castle. What today is called Oakham Castle is actually just the Great Hall - England's most complete - and all that remains of this building.

The castle has more than 230 ornate ceremonial horseshoes on display presented by Peers of the Realm visiting or passing through Rutland for the first time. This custom dates back 500 years and the oldest surviving horseshoe was given to the castle by Edward IV in 1470.

the 800-year-old castle also holds the honour of being the oldest English court building that has remained in continuous use - since as early as 1229.

Owned by Rutland County Council, it is currently undergoing improvements, including a bronze 3D model of the castle and its grounds, a glass vestibule entrance and sensory garden, all due to be completed by the end of May.

Other town highlights, whether by virtue of their history, architecture, or the treasures they contain, include:

- Medieval lane Dean's Street, formerly known as Dead Man's Lane because it was used to carry coffins to the church

- Grade II listed Oakham Level Crossing signal box, the prototype for the Airfix Model construction kit

- All Saints' Church, built almost entirely in the late 13th and 14th centuries and which underwent a Victorian restoration

- the Grade I listed octagonal Buttercross

- Rutland County Museum, telling the story of the county and with permanent and temporary exhibits featuring archaeology, history and rural life

- High Street's Flore's House, believed to be the oldest in Oakham having been built in the late 14th century and once owned by Roger Flore who served as Speaker of the House of Commons four times between 1416 and1422

High Street is also home to the thatched cottage where one of Oakham's most famous sons was born and raised - Sir Jeffrey Hudson. Sir Jeffrey was born in 1619 and grew to just 18 inches tall - although he had a growth spurt at 30 which increased his stature to 3ft 9ins. He became famous as a court dwarf of English queen Henrietta Maria of France. His was not a quiet life...he fought in the English Civil War, killed a man in a duel, was captured by Barbary pirates and spent 25 years as a slave in North Africa before being rescued and returned to England.

Other famous faces associated with the town are alumni of Oakham School including Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay, actor Matthew McFadyen who appeared in the BBC drama Spooks and was Mr Darcy in the television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice - filmed down the road in Stamford - and fellow actor Matt Smith, best-known for his role as the eleventh doctor in BBC's Doctor Who.

Oakham is a hospitable town, hosting plentiful fun family events throughout the year.

It is also fortunate to benefit from green open spaces - the main park being Cutts Close, a heritage site that was once the gardens and fishponds of Oakham Castle. The park bandstand, renovated and renamed to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in 2012, is surrounded by flowerbeds managed by volunteer-run Oakham In Bloom.

Organisations like Oakham in Bloom are what keep the town's community spirit alive and kicking, along with others who help to beautify, promote and support residents in the town such as Oakham Town Partnership and Oakham Fire Station.

In common with all towns across the country, Oakham has seen shops and businesses come and go - including the closure of Ford's of Oakham shop last year - although it remains a thriving market town with lots of independent shops, great eateries and cafe culture.

We asked our readers to describe Oakham in three words and - just like McDonald's wanting to open a fast food restaurant in the town - responses were split between good, bad and indifferent.

Here's a snapshot of the dozens we received:

Community, picturesque, quaint

Unique, beautiful, expensive

Historic, diverse and beautiful

Welcoming, charming, historic

Welcoming, inclusive, lively

Coffee, charity shops

Quaint, unspoiled (so far), friendly

Friendly, picturesque and historic

Friendly, adventurers, famous (emmerdale)

Quiet, safe, pretty

Historic, diverse and beautiful

Home, friendly, peaceful

Pompous, rural and beautiful...at times

Quiet, safe, dull

Grossly overpriced properties

Fourteen empty shops

Quaint, but dying

Boring, snobby, overpriced

Losing its charm

Less attractive now

Has become tired

Gone to seed

Charity shop central

Tory Little Englanders

Gone down hill

No decent shops