Local History Videos

"Oakham, Rutland" - ManAboutTowns on YouTube Enjoy a video of a drive through the centre of town in January 2009. Oakham is the historic county town of Rutland, which holds the title of the smallest historic county in England. It is a quintessential English market town, characterized by its limestone buildings, independent boutiques, and a deep-seated sense of heritage that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086. A Glimpse into Oakham The Horseshoe Tradition Oakham Castle is famous for its collection of over 200 ceremonial horseshoes. Since the 12th century, it has been a custom for any Peer of the Realm (royalty or nobility) passing through the town to forfeit a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor. Market Life The town remains a bustling commercial hub, with traditional markets held every Wednesday and Saturday in the Market Place, continuing a centuries-old tradition. Education It is home to Oakham School, a prestigious co-educational independent school founded in 1584, whi...

  "Oakham in Bloom 2006" - Richard Adams on YouTube Enjoy a video prepared for the National Judges in 2006, when Oakham reached the final of Britain in Bloom. It features many locations around the town and a good range of photos of local residents.

  "Oakham Pageant (1947)" - British Pathé on YouTube A few more parked cars are present in the opening shots of this silent British Pathé film from 1947, but they are still outnumbered by bicycles and pedestrians. In the next scene as the town Pageant begins, crowds of spectators and participants dominate the scene. It starts with a marching band, military and uniformed marchers, then a few sombre floats of people dressed up. The vehicles also have 'Fight For Rutland's Independence’ posters on the front. At one point two Hunt riders in redcoats march along with a pack of foxhounds. The action then moves to a field, where spectators stand or mill around the floats of people in costumes. There’s also a boxing match between two men in Victorian costumes. The final scenes, showing the railway station and the ancient heart of the village, are almost deserted of people or traffic.

 

 

 Many people in the UK think the ceremonial county of Rutland in the East Midlands region of England does not exist, thanks to its disappearance between 1974 and 1997. But local identity and valued heritage brought it back to life.