Taking a look at Stamford and Rutland stories 200 years ago in Mercury Memories

January 27, 2012

Drivers who are flouting traffic laws are putting people’s lives at risk.

Stamford Town Partnership, which comprises councillors, business people and volunteers, is calling on motorists to stop driving along High Street in Stamford and parking illegally near Wilkinson and Tesco.

The partnership’s urban group installed benches in the area, following a two year £20,000 project, and its chairman Don Lambert said people sitting on the benches are being put at risk by reversing cars, which shouldn’t be parked there in the first place.

There are three allocated disabled spaces outside Wilkinson but from there, the rest of High Street can be used only between 6pm and 10am by disabled badge holders and for loading.

During the day between 10am and 4pm, drivers should not be there at all except for severely disabled people with a green badge or those with a special permit.

Mr Lambert said: “The danger is that if people are sitting on the benches having lunch or with their children - and using them as they were intended – they could et hit by a car.

The former Stamford Museum could become a one-stop shop for council services.

South Kesteven District Council, which owns the former museum in Broad Street, Stamford, is looking at moving its council offices from Maiden Lane into the building.

District council leader Linda Neal (Con) said the district council had been looking for a new home for its council offices for at least eight years.

Coun Neal said that although the Maiden Lane office was compliant with laws on disabled access, officers and councillors felt the space was “too tight” for wheelchair users or mothers with pushchairs.

She said: “The shop area in the Maiden Lane office is not big enough. There is quite a large area of premises but the shop bit is not suitable and we have known this for quite some time.

“We have looked at lots of properties in Stamford over the years but those that have been available have not proved to be suitable and we did explore taking some space in Stamford Town Hall as well but that was not suitable.

“Having the museum available does present us with an opportunity.”

Villagers are rallying against plans to close two rural delivery offices.

Royal Mail wants to relocate the sorting and delivery facilities attached to the post offices in Ketton and Easton-on-the-Hill.

This could leave residents facing a trip to the delivery office in Orton Southgate, Peterborough, to pick up post with a surcharge.

It would mean delivery staff, most of whom live locally, would have to travel up to 60 miles between offices on top of their usual daily rounds.

Ketton is 15.1 miles away from the Peterborough office while Easton-on-the-Hill is 13.7 miles away.

A petition against the closure of the Ketton delivery office has attracted more than 1,000 signatures. Parish councillors and residents in both villages have been fighting the plans.

25 years ago

January 24, 1997

An 80-year-old man’s lifelong addiction to bingo finally paid off on Saturday night – when he scooped a national jackpot of £105,000.

George Standley has travelled to the Stardust Bingo Club in Corby twice a week for the last 20 years and on Saturday Lady Luck decided it was his night at last.

He said: “I was sitting there just waiting for number 11, thinking it was never going to come up – I’ve been close before. Then it came up and I just yelled – I think I frightened everyone around me.”

George, who has lived in Stamford all his life, knew he had won a lot, but had to wait 20 minutes to find out how much.

He said: “The announcer came on stage to say how much I’d won - I can tell you I was sweating. I couldn’t make it out because I’m a bit deaf, but when everyone started cheering and clapping I knew I’d won the jackpot.”

His wife Freda (78) said: “He nearly fell through the door when he got home – I thought ‘Oh God! He’s drunk!’ He kept saying he’d won a lot of money and when he told me how much I had to sit down.”

Pleas from Ryhall residents to restore local policeman PC Dave Toone’s panda car have been answered.

The car with be returned to him for a 12-month period during which time it will be evaluated for its effectiveness.

Withdrawal of the car from service in the Eastern area of Rutland in April 1995 involved PC Toone travelling 40 miles a day to collect a car from Oakham police station, taking valuable time off his shift.

Inspector Robert Folwell, of Oakham, said:”PC Toone’s vehicle has been given back to him as a result of the police listening to public opinion.”

The campaign to get the car back into service was spearheaded by the Police Planning Action Group, for Beat 37. Chairman of the group, Chris Overend is delighted. “PC Toone and his panda car are perceived as one unit by villagers who fought hard for 10 years to get a local bobby. We saw losing the car as a backwards step,” he said.

Tolethorpe Hall is set to undergo £700,000 of improvements over the next three years with cash from Stamford Shakespeare Company and the Arts Council.

During the next few months the Stamford Shakespeare Company plans to build a permanent costume workshop and store at Tolethorpe, which would involve renovating the first floor of the west wing.

The group must provide 25 per cent of the cost of improvements with the rest of the money coming from the Arts Council from Lottery cash.

Stamford Shakespeare Company moved into Tolethorpe Hall 20 years ago with just £78. The first floor had collapsed and the group has gradually worked to improve the facilities.

Now the weatherproof, open-air theatre, which seats 600 people, is believed by some to be the best in Europe, with restaurant and bar facilities in the Hall itself.

Each improvement to the facilities has been reflected in attendances, with 6,000 people in 1986 compared with 34,000 in 1996.

General manager Derek Harrison said: “The work will be completed by May 1, in time for this season.”

Between seasons, rooms in the hall had to double up as costume workshops and stores for props, but the new development will provide a permanent workshop and store.

Mr Harrison added: “Compared to where we were 20 years ago with £78, the development of the hall has been a huge success.”

50 years ago

January 28, 1972

A new rate demand system introduced by Stamford Borough Council has confused some ratepayers in the town.

People have been arriving at the Town hall during the past few days complaining that they have received a final demand, but no previous notice saying how much they owe.

Until the current financial year, the Borough Council has always sent out two rate notices – one in April with a demand for the first six months, and in October for the second six months.

This year the Council decided to change the system to cut down postage and administrative costs.

In April ratepayers received a notice setting out the rate demand for both six month periods, and pointing out that the second instalment would be due in October.

So when the final demands for the second six-month period arrived this month many people were convinced there had been an administrative tangle.

“Some of the people who came down were apologetic when they realised what had happened, but others were quite abusive,” said deputy borough treasurer Mr J. M. Rose.

Deeping St James’ Old Cross School opened its doors to the village teenagers this week after a £2,500 facelift.

The 100-year-old school has been converted and re-decorated to form Kesteven County Council’s third youth centre.

After several months’ preparation, the building opened for the first time on Monday when teenagers and the public were invited to look round. Similar open evenings were held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mobile youth leader for South Kesteven, Mrs Sharon Wright, said that enrolments at the centre were to take place yesterday and this evening.

The building contains a lounge or quiet room which will be used for discussion groups or reading sessions; a games hall; a social area with an adjoining kitchen, and cloakrooms.

A plan to make a children’s play area on land being used as a rubbish tip near Stamford cemetery came a step nearer reality, on Tuesday.

Members of the Burial Joint Committee decided they had no objection to the Borough Council using the land, to the east of Essex Road, as a playground.

But they agreed that a hedge should be planted between the play area and cemetery wall to discourage children from getting into the cemetery from the play area.

Stamford Fire Brigade is short of volunteers – their required 20 men is down to 13 at the moment, says Station Officer H. W. Binks.

Mr Binks, appealing for new recruits, says that many would-be firemen fail to measure up to the requirements for the job.

They have to be available 24 hours a day, which means that employers can lose them for any amount of time during working hours.

And they have to be able to get to the station when the fire alarm sounds as quickly as possible – so they don’t have to live too far away.

But they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing a great service to the community.

100 years ago

January 27, 1922

All Saints’ Tea – A most enjoyable parish tea and entertainment was held in All Saints’ church-room, Foundry-road, on Thursday week. The Vicar (the Rev. E. L. C. Clapton) presided at tea, over 130 partaking. An excellent concert, given by local artistes, followed.

Happy Workhouse Inmates – The inmates of the Poor Law Institution spent one of their happiest days on Thursday week, on the occasion of the tea and entertainment given by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Pepper) and Mr. James Brown. An excellent repast, at which were present the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown, and Mrs. Goodyear and Miss Hooson (lady Guardians), was greatly enjoyed, after which a splendid musical entertainment, arranged by Mrs. H. M. Lenox, was given by a number of local artists. During the evening sweets, tobacco and oranges were handed round.

Brickworks Accident – On Friday Mr. Cecil Whisker (24), employed at Messrs. Williamson, Cliff, Ltd., met with a nasty accident, falling off a platform at the brickworks. He was cut on the face, besides having other abrasions and bruises. Mr. Whisker was taken to the Infirmary, where he was detained. He is progressing satisfactorily.

Choristers Entertained – The junior members of St. John’s church choir spent an enjoyable evening at Mrs. Barton’s cafe on Monday on the occasion of the annual winter treat. An excellent tea was served, after which games were indulged in, the rector (Rev. W. H. N. Secker), Miss Sandall and Mr. W. Selby Ennals (churchwarden) doing everything in their power to ensure the happiness of the guests. This was followed by a capital magical entertainment by Mr. and Mrs. A. Lenox, and at the conclusion light refreshments were handed round.

Alleged Bicycle Theft – On Monday, before Mr. H. T. Daniels, Harry Wilson, a labourer, of Histon, Cambridgeshire, was charged with stealing a bicycle and lamp valued at £6 4s., the property of James Edward White, of Tinwell. Mr. White gave evidence that on Saturday morning he went into the Labour Exchange, leaving his bicycle outside. He was only inside two or three minutes, but when he came outside he machine had disappeared. Looking along St. Mary’s-street, he saw the prisoner wheeling it, so he went up to him and told him it was his bicycle. P.s. Fieldsend said he saw the prisoner on two occasions on Saturday morning. The first time he had no bicycle, but on the second occasion he was wheeling one. Witness questioned him, and prisoner said it was his machine. Witness asked him where he got it from, and he answered “-----well find out,” Later he was charged with the theft, and he replied “I have nothing to say.” At this point a remand was asked for until Saturday, and granted.

All Saints’ Vestry Meeting – the annual vestry meeting, which is now allowed to be held any time between Jan. 1st and a fortnight after Easter, was held at Browne’s Hospital on Tuesday evening. The Vicar (Rev. E. L. C. Clapton) presided, and was supported by the Rev.Canon Moore and Mesrs. R. W. Dodman and C. Springthorpe (churchwardens) The churchwardens were unanimously re-elected.

150 years ago

January 26, 1872

Stamford Union – There was a small attendance of Guardians at the weekly meeting on Wednesday; and the applications for relief were rather less than usual. The statistics of the workhouse showed 67 pauper inmates less than in the corresponding week of last year, viz., 152 against 219; and the recipients of out-relief are also less, viz., 871 at a cost of £98 6s. 4¼d., against 902 at a cost of £103 13s. 9d. Vagrants relieved during the week 28. There were several applications for the office of porter, but only three candidates presented themselves, all of whom were deemed ineligible.

The continuous rains which have rendered this month remarkable for its wetness and temperature have also produced a flood in the valley of the Welland higher than has been known for some years. Yesterday the whole expanse of meadows as usually seen from Stamford bridge was completely submerged; and not only was the path from Lammas bridge to the George bridge impassable, but access could not be obtained to Bath-row, the road and causeway being under water. Several houses in Bath-row, Mr. Swan’s house in Wharf-road, and some houses in the vicinity of Water-street, were flooded.

A handsome biscuit-box and muffineer (supplied by Mr. Ryan, Stamford) were presented to Mr. Molesworth on Wednesday the 24th, by the poor of Ketton, as a token of gratitude for the many acts of kindness received from him during the past seven years.

Stamford Grammar School – The Rev. F. E. Gretton having left for his incumbency in the diocese of Gloucester, the school is at present without a head master; and as a new scheme of education under a new trust is about to be organised by the Endowed School Commissioners, it became a question of the moment how the school is to be conducted pending the decision of the Commissioners. At a conference of the Mayor and the Charity Trustees on Friday last, it was agreed to apply to the Master of St. John’s college, Cambridge (one of the co-patrons under Radcliffe’s will) to send a competent instructor for a limited period, the renumeration to be at the rate of £400 per annum, and a month’s notice of discontinuance of service to be given on either side. It was intimated at the conference that an Assistant Commissioner will shortly visit Stamford with a view to settle a scheme for the further administration of the school and the endowment.

Bourn – Charities – In the paragraph in last week’s Mercury respecting the Bourn charities, 150 cwt. of coal should have been 150 tons, which, with the 1200 yards of flannel and 600 yards of calico, were distributed to a large number of poor families in the parish; and cash to the amount of £52 10s. was distributed among 31 men, 12 women, and 6 bedesmen, being pensioners upon the Laytonstone Charity.

At an adjourned general meeting of the Bourn Library and Reading-room committee, held on the 23d inst., it was resolved that some additions and changes be made in the newspapers; and that members subscribing 12s. a year to the library be entitled to the privilege derivable from a parcel received from Mudies’ Select Library.

200 years ago

January 25, 1822

On Monday last, as James Bird, driver of the Leeds waggon, was carrying a truss of hay up a ladder during the stoppage of the waggon in St. Martin’s, the horses unfortunately set off, and by the falling of the ladder the poor man had the misfortune to have one of his thighs broken.

It has been our painful duty lately to record numerous instances of depredations committed in the neighbourhood of the Deepings, the state of which towns, we are sorry to say, now assumes an alarming appearance. Twice recently the Bell public-house at the foot of the bridge in Deeping St. James, had been broken open, and a third time it was burglariously entered one night last week: The intruders, after regaling themselves with liquor, took away a quantity of half-pence, a pair of shoes, and some other small articles. On Monday night last a Tyburn party amused themselves with taking gates, &c. off the hinges and throwing them in the river; also tying up people’s doors (both in James Deeping and Market Deeping) with ropes made fast to posts placed across the door darnels, so that the inmates could not get out. As many as a dozen houses were served in this way; and would we could stop here, but the worst is yet to be related. On Tuesday morning, about three o’clock, the inhabitants were awakened from their sleep by the cry of fire, which on enquiry proved to be occasioned by the flaming of a wheat-rick (the produce of 14 acres) belonging to Mr. Parkinson, of Deeping St. James, and which there is not a doubt had been wilfully set on fire. But for the prompt assistance of the neighbours, together with the powerful execution of the market Deeping engine, the whole of the stacks in the yard, and perhaps the neighbouring houses, would have been burnt down.

The indigent poor of the parishes of Holywell, Careby, Castle Bytham, and Little Bytham, have not been forgotten this winter by their usual benefactor and his lady, General and Mrs. B. Reynardson. Besides a large quantity of prime beef – a fresh supply of a great number of warm blankets have within these few weeks been distributed by them.

The advertisement in our last week’s paper respecting the Rutland Agricultural Society, contained one paragraph which, we are informed by the Secretary, should not have been comprised in the printed resolutions: it had been rejected by the meeting, but, lying amongst some detached papers on the table, was accidentally copied into the advertisement. The resolution was the sixth in the printed series, and related to the Malt Tax, Beer, and Breweries. In the name of the Committee, we are requested to notice and to apologise for this mistake.

The Rev. T. Parke (of Stamford), Rector of Stathern in the Vale of Belvoir, returned to his tenants at his late half year’s rent-day 10 per cent.; and in addition to his annual donation at Christmas, clothing of different descriptions was given to a large number of poor families.