In an exclusive for Oakham Nub News, Oakham's Mayor Paul Ainsley reflects on his first 60 days in the role.

I am thrilled to represent our wonderful town as Mayor and Chairman of Oakham Town Council! It was both my duty and pleasure to honour those who have served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life during the Remembrance weekend, culminating in a heartfelt Service of Remembrance at All Saints Church on the 10th of November. 

The first 60 days in office have been a whirlwind of activity. I've attended over 18 functions and meetings! To highlight a couple of the key events: I was delighted to attend the launch of the Ukrainian Rotary Impact Club. Their first project reaches out to the Rutland community for critical donations of wheelchairs, hoists, and crutches—essential mobility aids for those struggling with injuries from the Ukraine conflict. 

Despite the damp weather during the Christmas Lights switch-on, with storm Bert lashing our town, the number of smiling adults and giggling children warmed my heart. Thank you to everyone who attended and brought such joy and good humour to the event. 

It's not all been socialising, though. Our dedicated Oakham Town Council team—Chris Evans, Kathy Geraghty, and Lee Anthony—has been hard at work dealing with various challenges, including collapsing cemetery walls and fallen trees during storm Daragh and maintaining the community as a whole. 

In the office, we've been busy changing banks and streamlining our processes. We've also been implementing ideas from our initial meetings with the town's retailers and Rutland County Council, such as free parking on Saturdays leading up to Christmas, Christmas decorations in some empty retail units, and planning a thorough spring clean for the New Year. 

As we move forward, we'll continue to refine and develop our economic strategy to build a thriving and vibrant town. It's an incremental process with no quick fixes, but we're committed to making steady progress. Follow our journey on our Facebook page! 

We have several exciting projects underway, including the refurbishment of Church Street Toilets and the development of Royces Recreation Ground. We've submitted a pre-planning application for a new building for the Princess Avenue dance studio, complete with a Community Café and publicly accessible toilets. 

Another milestone has been the Council's decision to work with the Victoria Hall trustees to secure the long-term future of Victoria Hall on the High Street. This initiative is crucial to preserve this local landmark, and we'll seek guidance from legal experts to protect public funds and the building's charitable status. 

Our journey has just begun! The Town Council and I are steadfast in our determination to revitalise our Market Town. We're only 60 days into my stewardship, and to make a real difference, we need all the help we can get. We're always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the community. If you're interested, give us a call at 01572 723627.