Oakham in The UK's Smallest County Rutland Gets a Big Comedy Show: Mark Steel’s In Town Returns to BBC Radio 4! Tuesday 07 October 2025

Oakham in The UK's Smallest County Rutland Gets a Big Comedy Show: Mark Steel’s In Town Returns to BBC Radio 4!

Mark Steel (Right)

Get ready to tune in for the 14th series of Mark Steel's In Town, the award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy show that celebrates the unique and wonderful character of towns across the UK.

The new series kicks off with a bang, as Mark heads to the UK's smallest county for an episode all about Oakham and Rutland.

Rutand's Quirks Under the Spotlight

Rutland is a county brimming with delightfully unusual facts, and Mark Steel is sure to give them the full comedic treatment. The county proudly boasts a village twinned with Paris (though the Parisians remain delightfully unaware), is home to Europe’s largest man-made lake (a feat which required flooding a local village), and adheres to the local custom of hanging its horseshoes the other way round—to ensure the devil falls out, naturally.

Clare Balding.

Mark is joined on his visit by broadcaster Clare Balding, who takes him on a ramble around the picturesque county. Listeners can hear more about their joint adventure in an upcoming episode of Clare's own BBC Radio 4 series, Ramblings.

Tune In This October

The episode featuring the county of Rutland airs on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 07 October 2025 at 18:30.

Mark Steel's In Town has won numerous accolades, including the Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Comedy, for its unique format. Mark travels the country, thoroughly researching each town before writing and performing a bespoke stand-up show for the local residents. It is a genuine, witty, and warm-hearted celebration of local life.

On the Road Again

Rutland is just the first stop of Series 14. Mark will also be popping to a host of other distinctive locations in this series, including Wrexham, Cambridge, Lewisham, and the remote Shetland island destinations of Lerwick and Unst.

For those who just can't get enough of the local humour, extended versions of each episode will also be available on BBC Sounds.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rtbk8

The series is Written and performed by Mark Steel, with Additional material by Pete Sinclair.

The production team includes Production co-ordinator Caroline Barlow and Katie Baum, Sound Manager Jerry Peal, and Producer Carl Cooper.

Mark Steel's In Town is a BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4.

Rutland Sky Set to Dazzle with Lions Club Firework Extravaganza, Rutland Showground, Oakham, Rutland, 2025

Rutland Sky Set to Dazzle with Lions Club Firework Extravaganza

Get ready for a spectacular night as the Rutland Lions Club announces its annual Firework Displays, promising two dazzling shows to light up the night sky over the Rutland Showground on Saturday, 8th November 2025.

This much-anticipated event is a staple in the local calendar, bringing together families and friends for an evening of explosive entertainment and community spirit. Gates will open at 4:45 PM, giving attendees plenty of time to find their spot and enjoy the pre-show atmosphere. The first firework display is scheduled to ignite at 6:15 PM, followed by a second, equally impressive display at 7:00 PM.

Beyond the pyrotechnics, the event ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. A range of refreshments will be available, including classic favourites like burgers and hot dogs, alongside hot drinks to ward off the November chill. For those looking for something stronger, a licenced bar will also be on site.

Ticket Information:

The Rutland Lions Club encourages early booking to take advantage of discounted prices:

Ticket Type Earlybird Online Price (@lionsclubrutland) At the Gate (Card Only)

Family of 2 £12 -

Family of 3 £18 -

Family of 4 £24 -

Family of 5 £30 -

Single Adult £7 -

Age 6+ - £12

Under 6s FREE FREE

Earlybird tickets can be conveniently purchased online through the Rutland Lions Club's Facebook page, @lionsclubrutland. 

For those who prefer to decide on the day, tickets will be available at the gate, though it's important to note that only card payments will be accepted for on-the-day purchases. Children under 6 years old can enjoy the displays for free.

Important Notice:

For the safety and comfort of all attendees, the Rutland Lions Club kindly reminds visitors that only assistance dogs will be permitted at the event, and no sparklers are allowed.

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of fireworks, food, and fun, all while supporting the valuable work of the Lions Clubs International in the Rutland community.

Blooming Great Evening Planned for Oakham in Bloom AGM

Blooming Great Evening Planned for Oakham in Bloom AGM

Oakham in Bloom’s 2025 Annual General Meeting is set to take place tonight, offering local residents a look back at a successful year of keeping the town beautiful, and a glimpse into future plans.

The meeting will be held tonight, Wednesday 1st October, starting at 7:45 PM at All Saints Church Hall on Church Road. The event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Everyone is warmly invited to come along and contribute to the town's blooming success.

Special Talk on Rutland Flower Show

A major highlight of the evening will be a special guest speaker: Tom Mumby, the organiser of the hugely successful Rutland Flower Show.

Tom Mumby will share the story of the inaugural three-day summer event, which was held at the Rutland Showground in August and attracted an impressive crowd. The show, which featured celebrity gardeners like Adam Frost, was hailed as a massive success, with reports indicating it welcomed over 23,000 people.

Attendees will have a chance to hear first-hand about the planning and execution of this landmark event for Rutland.

Looking Ahead for Oakham in Bloom

Beyond the featured talk, the AGM is an important date for the local community group. It provides an opportunity for the committee to share their achievements over the past year and present their ambitious plans for the next 12 months.

Oakham in Bloom relies on community involvement to ensure the town continues to look its best, and the meeting is the perfect forum for residents to voice their opinions, share ideas, and find out how they can get involved in helping to keep Oakham blooming.

Don't miss the chance to hear the story of the Rutland Flower Show and help shape the future of Oakham in Bloom.

www.oakhaminbloom.org

Event: Oakham in Bloom's 2025 Annual General Meeting

Date: Tonight, Wednesday 1st October

Time: 7:45 PM

Location: All Saints Church Hall, Church Road

Entry: Free – No Registration Required.

Burglary Uppingham Budgens

Burglary Uppingham Budgens

Location 10 years ago

Uppingham's Budgens store, which is attached to the BP filling station at the main crossroads, was the scene of a burglary in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A quantity of cigarettes was stolen during the incident.

Rutland Police were called to the scene just before 3:15 AM on Tuesday, September 30, but the suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived.

The force is actively investigating the break-in and is appealing to the public for any information that could assist their inquiry.

Leicestershire Police urges anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who has information related to the burglary to come forward.

If you have any information, you should call 101 and quote incident 25 of Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Police Seek Witnesses

The police investigation is continuing, with officers likely looking for CCTV footage from the filling station and surrounding area. They are keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of the A6003 / A47 crossroads in Uppingham around the time of the incident.

Any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in helping Rutland Police track down those responsible for the theft.