Looking back over the years with our Mercury Memories

They will target people who park on double or single yellow lines, cause obstructions at junctions or leave their cars blocking pavements.

The move comes in the week that South Kesteven district councillors approved a 25 per cent increase in car parking charges, prompting fears that more drivers will now leave their cars in town centre streets and residential areas.

Insp Gary Stewart, who heads policing in Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings, said his team issued 30 tickets this week.

He said: “If you are parking illegally you will be ticketed.

“Illegal parking is a very real concern for the people of Stamford who have indicated this by adopting it as a priority for the neighbourhood policing team.”

* A young eco-warrior is doing his bit to help save the planet by asking mums and dads to leave their vehicles at home for small journeys.

Lewis Baker, ten, wants motorists to walk a mile instead of using the car for small journeys to reduce the area’s carbon emissions.

The pupil at St Gilbert’s Primary School, in Foundry Road, Stamford, said: “Last month we were learning about green issues and there was also an advert on TV asking people to drive less.

“I thought five miles was too much so what I want is for people to walk for a mile journey instead of driving it, because that’s a bit easier.

“When I started looking into this project I realised it’s important to cut carbon emissions. Also, getting people to walk a mile instead of driving will help keep them healthy.

“If people walk for the mile there would be less congestion and more places for people who travel longer distances to park.”

* Charity campaigners are asking readers for one last effort to get as many names as possible on their online petition.

Mother Lucy Slessor wants Lincolnshire County Council to reverse its decision to withdraw funding from the Association for Spina Biffida Hydrocephalus, an organisation which gives families and sufferers of the degenerative illness.

Miss Slessor, who has been receiving help for more than nine years from the organisation, set up the petition on the number10.gov.uk website to ask the county council to reinstate the £17,000 annual funding which keeps the charity afloat.

She said: “I started this petition because I am an end-user directly affected by this decision.

“So far there have been more than 160 people who have signed the petition but it ends on March 16, so we are hoping one last push will get the numbers up.

“The association gives so much support and it is essential the service keeps going.”

Lincolnshire County Council decided to drop the funding after deciding the Peterborough-based association did not help enough people who are eligible for social care.

Miss Slessor wants as many people as possible to sign the petition before its closing date.

25 years ago

A £2 million deposit by Lincolnshire County Council in the collapsed merchant bank Barings was due to be repaid along with interest on the loan today.

But the money, deposited on February 3, will almost certainly not be retrieved.

Acting chief executive Mark Spink said: “I would have to say there is a risk that the county council will face the loss of some if not all of the money.”

Barings collapsed this week and is said to have losses totalling more than £600 million, with trader Nick Leeson being questioned in Germany yesterday by Singapore police after arriving at Frankfurt airport.

“We still don’t know what the position is with Barings,” added Mr Spink. “We are waiting at the moment. There is a considerable risk that it will not be repaid. Much depends on the success of liquidators selling off the business and we understand that there has been a fair degree of interest.

“If an appropriate part of the business is sold off we think there is a reasonable chance we’ll get a fair amount of it back.”

He denied the Barings collapse would have an effect on council tax.

* RAF Wittering’s four most experienced pilots took off from the base this week to put the new Harrier T10 through its first operational sortie.

The aircraft could mean a quieter life for those living in earshot of the base.

Costing around £24 million each, two of the new aircraft were delivered to Wittering last month as part of a programme to replace the earlier and now ageing Harrier T4.

And on Wednesday the station commander, Group Captain Peter Day, and Squadron Leader Mike Young took to the sky in one aircraft and in the second plane were Wing Commander Glenn Edge with Squadron Leader Peter Cockman.

Between them they have logged more than 12,000 flying hours in the Harrier.

The T10 is fully equipped to fly at night which will mean extended hours of flying and a change in the amount of noise from aircraft coming and going from the base.

As a result the MoD has authorised a review of the first noise survey at the base in five years.

* Secrets of an important geological site with rock dating back to the Jurassic age in Ketton are being gradually uncovered by a team of enthusiasts.

Stamford and District Geological Society is clearing the rock face of a disused quarry at the Castle Cement works. And, while satisfying their own curiosity, the team are striving to make the area open to others.

Society secretary Pauline Dawn said: “We want to make it suitable and accessible for schools and community groups, particularly the disabled, to see the section of stone we’ve cleaned rather than having to climb around other parts of the quarry.”

The face the geologists are digging at was abandoned by the Rutland cement firm in 1932.

The rock strata dates back to the Jurassic age and the digging has so far uncovered evidence of Lincolnshire and Blisworth limestone.

Castle Cement kindly provided a JCB digger to clear a roadway to allow easier access to the site.

Thirty of the group have been spending alternate Saturdays digging at the rock face, in Pit Lane.

50 years ago

The Deepings Secondary School is to go comprehensive, Kesteven Education Committee decided to recommend on Wednesday.

But at a special sub-committee meeting three Stamford councillors voted against the idea.

The plan will turn Deepings Secondary School into an all-through comprehensive school for pupils between 11 and 18 years old.

At present, grammar school pupils from the area attend Bourne Grammar School.

The Deepings school is at present being extended to take 450 pupils.

In the report to the special sub-committee in January, the Director of Education for Kesteven, Mr. G. R. Scott, outlined the idea.

“One might expect that the capital cost of a further extension of the existing secondary school to a school of 1,200 place size, purpose-built for comprehensive education, would be less than that of providing two more secondary schools of about 400 places each,” he reported.

But he added that it was impossible to give estimates for the development at present.

* The local area was in the grip of a blizzard on Wednesday with a snowfall of over five inches in 24 hours – the heaviest of the winter.

Schoolchildren from the villages were sent home early on Wednesday afternoon from all the main Stamford schools.

Over 100 children left Exeter Secondary School at 2.30 pm heading for their homes in the South Witham area.

The story was the same at the Fane School where about 50 children were sent home.

All students at Stamford College for Further Education were sent home at about 2 pm on Wednesday and the College was closed.

All classes, including those in the evening were cancelled.

Pupils from Oakham and Uppingham at Stamford School were sent home shortly after 2.30 pm. All country girls were sent home early from Stamford High School.

Road conditions were described by Stamford Police as “difficult” but the spokesman said that drivers were taking great care.

He added: “There have been a number of minor collisions but nothing too serious.”

* A £60,000 scheme to improve working conditions has been started by Martin-Markham Ltd., Ryhall Road, Stamford.

Transport and General Workers Union district secretary Mr Alf Avison has written to the firm pointing out that the facilities at the factory were unsatisfactory.

The company’s press officer issued the following statement last week: “Two months ago the old-established firm of Martin-Markham Ltd was acquired by the Spiraflite group, an agricultural and industrial mechanical handling firm, which has put into operation a far reaching production expansion programme there.

“This includes the laying down of the first modern trailer assembly line at the plant. But while production facilities are being updated and expanded by Spiraflite, the group is not ignoring “the environmental working conditions” of the 100 plus production employees.

“High on the list of priorities under the scheme is the installation of a new comprehensive heating system in the workshops.”

100 years ago

Conservative Club – About 150 took part in a whist drive on the 26th, and the prizes were distributed by Mrs. E. Carter to the winners in the following order: ladies – Miss Ludlow 179, Miss Goodfellow 174, Miss Gatehouse 174, Miss Dunkley (“booby) 133; gentlemen – Mr. F. C. Tomlinson 177, Mr. S. Brittain 176, Mr. J. Hill 175; Mr. A. Hilliard (“booby”) 136. Mr. G. Naylor was M. C.

* Property Sale – At the Crown Hotel on Tuesday, Messrs. Reedman, Son, and Mason sold by auction a villa residence, known as Earlsville, 11, Princes-road, North Fields. Mr. A. Templeman bought the property for £720. Messrs. English and Son were the solicitors. The dwelling-house, 1, St. Peter’s-vale, let at £22 2s. per annum, was withdrawn at £300, and £140 stock in the Stamford Gas Company elicited only one bid (£100), and was also withdrawn.

* Folkingham

Fire – The vestry at the church, apparently left safe the previous evening, was found early on Friday morning partly on fire. Considerable damage was done to the furniture and other effects, and a portion of the roof was damaged. The prompt action of the verger (Mr. Giles) no doubt saved the building and prevented the fire spreading to the main portion. The vestry door being closed, kept the fire confined to that portion of the building. Had the flames broken through and got fanned, it would have been impossible to have saved the remaining fabric, owing to the organ being in such close proximity to the vestry door. It was understood the loss is covered by insurance.

* Greatford

Social and Dance – In aid of the Sick and Dividing Club recently inaugurated for the parishes of Greatford, Barholm and Braceborough, a social and dance held in the Village Hall the other evening proved a great success. Vocal and Instrumental music, and dancing were included in the programme, also several guessing competitions, viz., the weight of a cake, won by Miss N. Headland; the number of beans in a bottle, Mrs. Tilley, of Barholm; the combined weight of two persons, Mr. R. Pickering and Mr. W. Holmes. During the evening Mr. T. W. Atkinson spoke commending the objects of the club. Over £7 has been handed over the funds of the club.

* Deeping St. James

It has been decided to form a village tennis club. Mr. Nutt is president, Mr. Green secretary, and Mr. H. Bolland treasurer.

The wedding of Miss Ethel J. Lenton, eldest daughter of Mr. S. Lenton, farmer, Deeping St, James, and Mr. Philip Herbert, eldest son of Mr. Herbert Smith, Market Deeping, was solemnised at the Cave Adullam Baptist chapel on Monday by Pastor Eade, in the presence of a large number of friends. The bride was given away by her father. Miss Amy Lenton was bridesmaid, and Mr. Harry Lenton (cousin of the bride) was best man. The wedding breakfast was served at Booth Farm, where numerous and useful presents were on view, including a good pair of blankets from the Sunday school teachers and members of the Mothers’ Meeting.

150 years ago

Notice.

Messrs. Coulson and Wear beg to call the attention to owners of Portable Steam Engines that they are appointed Sole Agents and Makers of Bentley’s Patent Water Filter for Steam Engines.

This simple and ingenious invention is of the greatest value; by its use not a particle of sand, silt, or sediment can enter the boiler. Therefore the saving in repairs to Engines and Boilers is very great by clean water always being supplied by this Filter. We have used one for about 12 months, and cannot too highly recommend them. No Engine should be without one: they are small and cheap.

Prices and Testimonials on application.

Patent Straw Elevator Works, Wharf-road, Stamford.

* Dowsby, Lincolnshire.Valuable Investments.

To be Sold by Auction,

By Mr. Edwin Lumby,

At the Fortescue Arms Inn, Billingborough, on Monday the 7th day of March, 1870, at 6 o’clock in the Evening, in the undermentioned or such other lots as may be them agreed upon, and subject to conditions of sale to be then declared,

The following highly valuable and desirable Freehold Estates, most eligibly situated in Dowsby, aforesaid, viz.

Lot I. All that Messuage or Dwelling-house, Orchard, and Garden, in the village of Dowsby, in the occupation of Mr William Taylor, and abutting on the turnpike road leading from Billingboro; to Bourn on the east, and containing by admeasurement (more or less) 0A. 1R. 38P.

Lot 2. All that Close of excellent Pasture Land, in the Cow Pasture, abutting on lands of E. N. Conant, Esq, on the west and south, Rev. K. Foster east, and the Fen-Drove north, and containing by admeasurement (more or less) 2A. 2R. 22P.

Lot 3. All those Two Closes of Pasture Land, adjoining each other, abutting on lands of R. Lucas, Esq, east, and on lands of E. N. Conant, Esq, on all other sides, containing together by admeasurement (more or less) 5A. 1R. 17P.

Total 14A. 0P. 17R.

Lots 2 and 3 are in the occupation of the Trustees of the Will of the late Mr. Thomas Lounds, deceased, the owners, and lot 4 is in the occupation of Mr. Henry C. Atkinson.

For further particulars application may be made to Mr. Thomas Lounds, of Kirton Holme, Mr. William J. Winters, of Gosberton Risegate, and Mr. Francis Pickworth, of Surfleet Fen, the Trustees for Sale; to the Rev. K. Foster, Dowsby: or to Messrs. Wiles and Chapman, Solicitors,

Horbling, 22d Feb., 1870. Horbling and Donington.

* It is understood that in consequence of a confirmation by the Bishop of Lincoln, at St. Michael’s church, Stamford, on Sunday morning next, the other four churches in the Lincolnshire portion of the borough will not be open for the regular morning service, though there will be early prayers at some of them. In the evening the Bishop is to preach at All Saints’ in aid of the funds of the parish school.

* Billingboro’ – Mr. Elston Law on Tuesday disposed of by auction 5 £10 shares in the Billingboro’ and Horbling Gas Company at various prices, averaging £14 7s. 6d. each. Mr. Joseph Jackson purchased the whole.

A few days ago an ewe sheep the property of Mr. Ward, innkeeper, Horbling, was stolen out of a field close to the village; and also a wether sheep belonging to Mr. A. Wadsley, Swaton, out of a field in his occupation. No clue has been discovered as to the guilty parties.

200 years ago

Lost, on the 4th of February last, from Market Deeping, a Yellow and White Pointer Dog, answers to the name of Match’em. Whoever will restore the said Dog to Mr. Drury, bookseller, Stamford, shall be handsomely rewarded. Any person detaining after this notice will be prosecuted. March 1, 1820.

* Whereas Two Shearling Wether Sheep, in the late blast, Strayed upon the Farm of Mr. G. Casswell, Crowland. The owner thereof, identifying the marks and paying the charged, may have the same again; otherwise, in a fortnight from the date hereof, they will be Sold to defray expenses.

* Old-established Draper’s Shop in Stamford,

To be Sold by Private Contract, or Let upon Lease, if required.

A Capital old-established Draper’s Shop, and comfortable Dwelling-House, with Yard, small Garden, and other Conveniences, lying behind the same, most desirably situated for any kind of trade, in the centre of the High-street in Stamford, formerly occupied by Mr Michael Pierrepont, afterwards by Mr. William Jackson, and since by Messrs. Francis and Henry Weldon.

For price or further particulars apply (if by letter, post paid) to Mr. Thompson, solicitor, Stamford.

* A shoemaker of this town, named John Gilbert, has been fully committed on suspicion of the burglary in the house of Anne Peake, on St. Peter’s hill, as mentioned in our last paper. He will be removed to Lincoln for trial at the assizes.

* Two boys who had arrived at Uppingham from Leicester on Monday evening, were on Tuesday morning committed to Oakham gaol, charged with various acts of shop-lifting in the former town.

* Caution – A person by the name of John Banks is travelling the country, for the purpose of informing against persons letting out post-chaises not duly lettered and numbered. It may be necessary to inform such persons, that the law requires that such chaise shall have the names of the owners in full, lettered upon them, and be numbered; and that a Stamp-office ticket, specifying the number of miles for such such chaises are let to hire, be given to the persons hiring the same, to be by them left at the first toll-bar on their way.

* An inquest has been held at the Old Dover public-house at Boston on the body of Mary Wright, aged 53 years, who was burnt to death from her clothes taking fire on Tuesday se’nnight. Verdict, accidentally.

* Married.

On Monday se'nnight, at Deeping St. James, Mr. De. Watt, millwright, to Miss Rebecca Taylor, daughter of Mr. W. Taylor, of Stow Gate Mill, Deeping Fen.

On the 15th ult. at Baston, Mr. Francis Dring, of Hacconby, to Ann, daughter of Mr. Carpenter, grocer, of the former place.

* Died.

On Monday last, aged 66, Mr. Wm. Adams, white-smith, of this place.