Last night, Wednesday 5 July 2023, two local landmarks were illuminated blue to mark 75 years of the NHS.

Rutland Water's Normanton Church and Oakham Castle, in the county town, were lit up in blue to mark the occasion.

Oakham Castle hosts regualr community and private events, from Armed Forces celebrations to weddings. Image credit: Nub News.

The National Health Service, abbreviated to NHS, was launched by Aneurin Bevan, the then Minister of Health in Attlee's post-war government, in 1948.

Although born at the Park Hospital in Manchester, the NHS is now a nationwide organisation that treats over a million people a day just in England.

Normanton Church is located on the shore of Rutland Water and often hosts wedding ceremonies. Image credit: Alan Walters.

The NHS makes people feel proud to be British, and has been thanked by a range of local organisations in the run up to the 75th anniversary of the group.

The Rutland Community First Responders, who provide initial care to those experiencing medical emergencies in the local area, wished the NHS a happy birthday, adding that today marks a "huge day in the life of our NHS."

The Rutland Community First Responders have just been selected as Oakham Mayor's chosen charity for 2023/24. Read more here.

Okaham Castle was illuminated last night to mark the 75th birthday of the National Health Service. Image credit: Nub News.

Thanks to local photographer, Alan Walters, for sending in his incredible snaps of Normanton Church.