As you will probably know, the scheduled Uppingham <> Stamford R5 bus was replaced by an “On Demand” CallConnect Bus service (although there is still a scheduled bus 3x a day during school term time)
Bus timetable – Bland’s R5 | Rutland County Council
Users of CallConnect are encouraged to book via the app
Callconnect | Rutland County Council
However for users who are not able to use the app, you can also call the booking team on 03452343344 and they will arrange your journey.
Given the interest shown by so many of you for this fantastic upcoming event on Saturday 7th March I thought, in the light of the recent downpours and the ground becoming so waterlogged, that you might be interested in knowing what has happened to the training routines of some of the competitors. Clearly the jockeys and stable hands are taking this event very seriously and have taken to using alternative training methods given everywhere is so wet.
The team training Nobbled Nag found their stable underwater and so have resorted to water polo methods of training, a tried and trusted method for training horses!
Here we see Nobbled Nag and his stablemates at a recent training camp!
And we also have a picture taken secretly at a training facility just outside Empingham following an arduous swim in the swollen River Chater by Equine Enchantress and her hapless stablemate Cunning Fox
Don’t forget, tickets are available from The Fox or from those people named on the posters around the village. Either pop in to The Fox or give one of these lovely people a ring and they will be able to provide you with your tickets to one of the very best race meetings to be held in the UK this year!
Act soon – time is galloping away!
Mid January, dark days and long nights! Is there no end to the gloom?
YES there is! The North Luffenham Fun Club is very pleased to announce the first North Luffenham fun event of 2026. The North Luffenham Race Night to be held in the School Hall on 7th March.
This is going to be an evening of fun and games for the whole community (over 18’s only at this event to comply with legal requirements) . A series of races with tote including the ultimate pig race. These races will be accompanied by other interval games. A guaranteed fun filled evening to drive away the winter blues and usher in Springtime. There is also a licensed bar. Tickets cost £10 and included in that price is your first drink! Posters around the village (and at the bottom of this message) tell you who you can contact to buy your tickets. Tickets can also be bought from The Fox, so just pop in and ask at the Bar. What an excuse to visit the pub in Dry January!
Tickets are proving popular so don’t delay.
Like the pantomime, these fun events are aimed at all North Luffenham villagers, so why not end January with a bang and pick up your tickets for this fun filled event. See you there!
One of the horses currently in training for the big event!
The Parish Council are considering the use of CiL Funding to initiate the building of a new Community Hall in the village, to replace the existing Community Centre room.
In order to gather the views of the Parishioners of North Luffenham on what would be important to them with such a project, an online survey has been created, see the link below.
https://forms.gle/c26zAaMbya9LGJkT7
We would ask that as many residents of North Luffenham Parish as possible please provide their input, as the project is starting with a clean sheet, and this is the ideal time to provide your ideas and views.
This will be an online only survey. If you are aware of people who lack Internet access or computer skills could you please assist them to input their views.
The survey will run for two weeks, until Friday 6th February
Greenhouse – in good condition with sliding door and potting table. Please message or call for details such as size, photos, etc.
Contact: roy.lyon02@outlook.com or 07557 800029
To learn more about the RCC budget and take part in the consultation please go to the RCC website: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/have-your-say/live-consultations/annual-budget-consultation-2026
This attachment gives a summary of the budget.
This Post will expire at 2:09pm on Saturday February 21st, 2026.
Several villagers were broken into last night – including bikes stolen from a shed, tools stolen and money taken from a vehicle
Please check your outbuildings, cars and especially security cameras and report anything suspicious to the Police on 101 or via the Leicestershire Police website https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
The Police are linking the crimes.
Several villagers were broken into last night – including bikes stolen from a shed, tools stolen and money taken from a vehicle
Please check your outbuildings, cars and especially security cameras and report anything suspicious to the Police on 101 or via the Leicestershire Police website https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
The Police are linking the crimes.
Everyone is welcome to Breakfast church at 9:30am Sunday 21st December in the North Luffenham Community Centre. We will be looking at the events leading up to Christmas from Joseph’s point of view.
Yes! it’s nearly that time again. I kid you not, the last two rehearsals have been the best yet. Everybody is looking so good this year. We just can’t wait to show you what we’ve come up with this year. Saturday’s rehearsal showed the true talent everyone possesses (it was a very short rehearsal!!!).
The lights are booked again, the sound track is set. Our brilliant make up artist has signalled her readiness. Our great props person has come up trumps again!
This is one you just can’t miss. This has just got to be the best way to start your Christmas week. Don’t forget this extravaganza will be staged in The Fox Car Park on Sunday 21st December at 6.00pm. As always there will be a cash bucket collection so please do give what you can on the night. It is true to say there is nothing like this pantomime anywhere else!! Last year you were all so generous – so a big thank you in advance.
Just to prepare you all here are a couple of reminders from last years pantomime!
Get ready – IT’S COMING TO THE PUB NEAR YOU!
We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
The Cast of 2025
After some feedback, the Fish and Chip van will be in North Luffenham at an earlier time tonight.
It will now be here between 4:30 and 5:45
You can pre order by contacting them on 07899919998
Nanny’s Fish and Chip van will be visiting North Luffenham every Friday, starting from tomorrow Friday 12th December.
They will be in the village from 7PM to 8:30PM, parking on Pinfold Close
Cri du Canard are a French folk trio, currently based in the North of England. With passion and experience coming out of their ears, these three highly regarded musicians throw themselves into their work, performing and leading workshops across the UK and EU with expertise, humour, and panache.
After properly establishing this band in 2021 – following a glorious summer’s evening of music, dance, and food – Grace, Sam, and Dave warmly invite you to share in the joy of French and Breton music, dance the night away to these infectious, energy-infused grooves, or simply sit back and enjoy the hypnotic interplay of fiddle, flute and box.
Expect to be transported to the beating musical heart of France, with an experience as nourishing for the soul as a good bowl of boeuf bourguignon.
Cri du Canard are Grace Smith (violon), Sam Partridge (flûte traversière en bois) and Dave Gray (accordéon diatonique).
Important Information
Date: Saturday 3rd January, 2026
Venue: Stamford Arts Centre, Ballroom
Tickets: £15 (£8 under 25s)
Running Time: 3 hours
Please note this is a dancing event and seating will be limited
Due to unforeseen circumstances, North Luffenham Garden Club are sorry to advise that Adam Frost has cancelled his appearance at our Garden Club meeting on Wednesday 10th December. The good news is that we have secured him for a new date – Wednesday 25th February 2026 @ 7pm.
For those of you who have already bought tickets, we do hope that you will be able to join us on this new date and would appreciate your confirming by email, by the end of January 2026 whether:-
– you are able to attend on 25th February 2026
or
– you are unable to attend on 25th February and require a refund
In either case, please contact us via our email address at northluffenhamgardenclub@gmail.com.
For that special Christmas present, we do have tickets available for the 25th February 2026 to enable friends & family to join us at this open meeting and enjoy Adam Frost speak!
These are available from The Fox in North Luffenham for only £27.50 (cash only please).
with thanks for your understanding & festive wishes,
North Luffenham Garden Club Committee
On 20th October 2025, the eight councils published a draft of the proposal submission and accompanying appendices. This draft was then considered by each Council as part of its own governance process. Further engagement was also undertaken with key stakeholders including MPs and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government. Having considered any feedback received a number of refinements and amendments were made which have been built into the final submission.
Please click on this link for the final proposal: https://www.northcitysouth.co.uk/final-proposal
Last night saw your intrepid bunch of village thespians once again rehearsing this years pantomime outside in the Fox Car Park. Always an interesting experience dodging the cars coming and going. No one was run over but some of the drivers did seem to have a rather shocked and quizzical look on their faces as they drove by!! This is not surprising give the shenanigans that were unfolding. There appears to be an attempt by the cast this year to learn their lines, a serious departure from previous years, such is their dedication to bring you the very best panto land has to offer this year!
More rehearsals are scheduled and the long term weather forecast is looking good for the 21st December. Remember to dress for out doors events on the night. We are loving getting this ready for you again this year and can’t wait to see you all on the night. What a way to start Christmas!!
Now Free to collect
Your trusty band of hardy would be thespians are at it again! Now the weather is getting colder and the evenings are drawing in, this Oscar aspiring band of somewhat deranged villagers are banding together again for your theatrical joy and wonderment. Yes! we’ve actually had some rehearsals already.
This year promises an even more spectacular extravaganza than last year. For those of you scared of little furry critters I can promise there will be none of them running across the car park this year! However, there will be new occurrences intermingled with the usual mayhem and live rewriting of the script on the night.
We are all so looking forward to kicking off your Christmas week again this year. Sunday 21st December at 6.00 is the date to have in your diary. Please do be there. Who knows what might happen on the night?!
More postings as we progress in rehearsals (if we progress in rehearsals!!) As always we can’t do this without you all. Our audience is our inspiration! See you there!
Following Bonfire Night on The Oval a mobile phone was found.
Please text 07789 356429 if you think it may be yours.