It's been revealed this week that Sykes Lane on the Empingham part of Rutland Water is the first and only inland bathing water location in England to be awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award, as well as being a Green Flag awarded site.
The awards come from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The area at Sykes Lane will be open for bathing next Saturday for the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend.
Meanwhile at Whitwell Creek, the Aqua Park had a busy opening afternoon and it's open every weekend, as well as throughout half term week and the school summer holidays, with a season running until the end of September.
A raft of familiar inflatables have returned, including the Rutland Sea Dragon. Those taking part need to be minimum age 6, a minimum height of 1. 20m, and be able to swim 25m unaided. Connor James, who looks after marketing at the Aqua Park Group, is looking forward to a great season at Rutland Water.
"We're really excited to be back at Rutland Water. We've got a brand new layout for this year and we've managed to change up the course design We've kept a lot of the favourites so you'll see the likes of the Tornado Tower, our statement piece which is the Rutland Mammoth which is the really big drop and that really presents a nice challenge for people. Then of course the new addition from last year which was the Sea Dragon which we brought back to life after the remains of the fossil were found on the shores of Rutland Water, so that's really exciting to have that back, and we've thrown that right in the mix of the middle of the park, so it's got a really key position out there on the water, so we're really happy with this design, and we've been able to tweak and improve things year on year. "
The new Rutland Hub next to Oakham Baptist Church is only part of their expansion. It was officially opened yesterday by MP Alicia Kearns and sees offices from the church move in as well as spaces for the community to use and a cafe.
Northamptonshire police are appealing for witnesses after a series of burglaries, which they believe are all linked around the A43 between Kettering and Stamford.
Around 650 athletes began a swim at first light and are taking part in three laps of Rutland Water's roads this morning by bike before they run a half marathon in the annual Vitruvian Triathlon.
Road closures are in place in Stamford this morning on Broad Street, Star Lane and Red Lion Street for the annual Battle of Britain Parade and Service and will continue until lunchtime.
As part of the Rutland Day celebrations yesterday, there was an event at Oakham Castle which saw reenactors from the Ferrars' household along with local stalls, a Maker's market, a history tour and the Special Multum Gin Parvo Rutland Cocktail and Rutland Pippin were also on offer.
After a 37 year wait there was an all-female podium at Defender Burghley Horse Trails in Stamford which annually welcomes over 170,00 visitors across the four day event.
Weekend sports round up
