Stamford free school campaign and hotel plan among stories in Mercury Memories featuring stories up to 200 years old from Stamford, Rutland, Bourne, and the Deepings
A range of stories from up to 200 years ago feature in this week's Mercury Memories.
Every week we take a walk down memory lane, looking at stories up to 200 years ago, thanks to the support of the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust.
10 years ago
April 12, 2013
A group of parents concerned about the state of secondary education in Stamford have launched a campaign to set up a free school.
They are worried about the number of Stamford primary pupils leaving the town after Year 6 – 70 per cent of the total – and hope to attract enough support to secure Government funding to open a new secondary school in 2015.
Parent Daniel Evans, 41, of Exeter Gardens, said: “We believe the creation of Stamford Free School will expand secondary school provision in our community and give greater choice to parents.”
Mr Evans, who works as an illustrator, has a daughter aged six at St Gilbert’s primary school.
“We have a clear vision for Stamford Free School,” he said.
“It is a school with high expectations of staff, parents and students; a school which focuses on delivering high quality teaching an high academic standards, with an emphasis on traditional subjects.”
A developer has decided not to go ahead with plans to turn a Grade II listed building into a boutique hotel and will now look to sell the property.
Agellus Hotels revealed this week that it was no longer looking to convert 4 St Mary’s Place, Stamford, into a nine-bedroom hotel and 66-seat restaurant.
The hotel plan was the subject of an appeal after an initial application was refused permission in October 2009.
Agellus lost the appeal but South Kesteven District Council had to pay costs for failing to provide detailed justification for refusal.
The firm was eventually granted permission to change the use of the building in May 2011 but almost two years later has decided not to go ahead with the work.
Operations director Rufus Harper said: “Despite having received planning consent our company strategy has changed slightly and St Mary’s is currently on the market.
“We have decide not to convert this and add it to the Agellus Hotels portfolio.”
A water company is working on short and long-term fixes to help village residents whose homes are regularly flooded by sewage.
Anglian Water has been busy investigating the cause of a problem that has seen sewage back up through drains in both roads and homes in Little Bytham for years.
The problem was highlighted in January by Mervyn and Sue McFarland, of Creeton Road, after their Christmas holidays were spoiled by overflowing sewage.
And this week Anglian Water revealed the measures it is taking to resolve the issues.
Spokesman Antony Innes said there were two issues to tackle – flooding in the McFarland’s home and in the wider Little Bytham catchment area.
He said: “We are going to be putting in additional flood prevention measures around Mr McFarland’s property.
“We are not sure what they are going to be but we are drawing up plans and we will be talking to him beforehand due to his background in engineering.”
25 years ago
April 10, 1998
A UFO expert is urging anyone who saw mysterious flashes light up the sky on Monday to come forward.
Justin Stubbs (23), of International UFO Research Network was told by a witness from Bourne – who is too scared to be named – he saw the strange and mysterious signs when he was travelling home.
The images appeared just north of Stamford on the A1 at around 9-9.30pm.
Justin, who lives in Stamford, thinks the phenomenon is likely to be a spaceship.
And an RAF Wittering spokesperson confirmed no planes were flying at the time of the sightings.
Justin said: “There were three repetitive flashes over a period of ten minutes which he saw when driving back to Bourne along the A1.
“From the nature of the signs I’d think if it can’t be explained, it’s some sort of spaceship.
“The matter is now under intense investigation and I’d urge anyone who might have seen similar sightings not to be frightened and to contact us in strict confidence.”
The Deepings could soon have an unrivalled £420,000 sports and social complex if Lottery cash is secured. The committee at the Deepings Sports and Social Club in Outgang Road, Market Deeping, will find out is their application for £267,000 is successful on May 12.
If money is secured a demolition and 12-month re-building programme will start straight away.
The club which houses Deeping Rangers FC, Market Deeping Cricket Club and The Deepings Tennis Club, will have new facilities including a two storey cricket pavilion, a single storey clubhouse, and six additional changing rooms.
The club has already raised £140,000 through fund-raising activities and will also receive grants from South Kesteven District Council and several other sporting organisations.
Neil Lowndes, chairman of the fund-raising committee, said: “We applied for Lottery money and were unsuccessful in 1996 but are hoping this time the decision will go our way.”
Stamford can look forward to a colourful summer after councillors backed the town’s entry in the East Midlands in Bloom competition.
Representatives of Stamford Chamber of Trade asked the town council amenities and environmental committee last Tuesday to support their campaign, which is sponsored by the Stamford Mercury, to brighten up the town.
Stamford will compete along with neighbouring Oakham and Uppingham.
As well as offering wholehearted support, the committee also agreed to plant and maintain flower beds in High Street.
Coun Rudi Brenna said: “Last time the beds had flowers in they were vandalised, but there will be less vandalism when CCTV is on-line in June.”
Judging for the competition will take place in July.
The chamber of trade will ask local traders and businesses to take part in the scheme, but town clerk Tony Wain wanted to ensure any displays and hanging baskets would be regularly watered.
He said: “Watering has been a problem in the past, so it may be important to stress to shopkeepers that baskets must be watered.”
New flower beds in High Street will coincide with the use of part of St Michael’s Churchyard as a ‘garden of peace and rest’.
50 years ago
April 13, 1973
A former Stamford Mayor has hit out at “stab-in-the-back” tactics being used against him while he is in Australia.
It follows accusations at the last Borough Council meeting that Coun Ted Steele had been unfair to the council and the people he represents in All Saints Ward.
Coun Derek Gladman, who launched the attack, condemned Coun Steele for standing for the council when he knew he would be going on a long trip to Australia.
Coun Steele, an Independent, who was Mayor in 1971-72, had been absent from council and committee meetings for six months.
Coun Gladman said at the last Borough council meeting: “If Coun Steele is allowed to remain on the council the public will lose all their confidence in us.
“It is unfair to council and the people he represented that he fought for, and gained, this seat realising that he would be unable to attend the meetings of the council and committees to fulfil his obligations as a councillor.”
Coun D. Joyce agreed saying Coun Steele, was wrong to stand for the seat in the first place.
But now Coun Steele has contacted the “Mercury” from Australia to hit back.
In a letter he says Coun Gladman and Coun Joyce used “stab-in-the-back” tactics against him.
RAF experts were this week piecing together the cockpit drama that led to a pilot bailing out before his jet crashed near Barnack.
A board of inquiry was examining the wreckage and taking statements on how the Hunter 9 came to crash at High Farm, Southorpe.We understand that one theory under the microscope is that there was a fire on board.
Trouble hit the RAF Wittering jet as it was turning to make its final approach for the runway on a routine training flight, on Friday.
Eye-witnesses told how the pilot parachuted to safety as the plane went into a shallow dive, climbed again,and then took a final plunge unto the countryside.
Wreckage was scattered over 300 yards and there was a stench of fuel when firemen and police got to the scene.
The pilot, 27-year-old Flight Lieutenant Grant McLeod, of 45 Squadron, came down near the Redland quarry pits at Southorpe.
Flt Lt McLeod, who lives at Westbourne Park, Bourne, had back and facial injuries. He was taken to the RAF Hospital at Ely.
Moves are afoot to end the Market Deeping traffic crisis.
For four plots of land in the town centre have been released by their owners – and South Kesteven Rural Council are to begin converting the land into a car park in the next few weeks.
The land is situated between High Street and Godsey Lane but, as yet, no details as to how large the car park have been released.
Mr Norman Kirk, Clerk to the council, said: “At the moment, negotiations are still going through with the owner of the fourth plot of land.
“The land will be conveyed to us in the next few weeks, but as yet we do not know how many cars the full area will be able to hold eventually. But the space so far is sufficient to meet the needs for the area now and in the future.”
Many thought that the area was already overcrowded with cars, and only extra car parking facilities would cope with the planned boom in population.
100 years ago
April 13, 1923
Fat Stock Show – The balance sheet to be presented at the annual meeting of the Stamford Fat Stock Show Society at the Crown Hotel on Monday, at which the Committee hope there will be a good attendance, shows that the year commenced with a balance at the bank of £45 3s. 2d. and closed with one of £49 19s. 2d. The Committee’s annual report states that the number of subscribers is now 293, a decrease of 13 on the year. Subscriptions totalled £167 9s. against £172 14s.
Board of Guardians – At a meeting of the Stamford Board, on Monday, Mr. J.W. Coulson presiding, a letter was read from Mr. J. B. Tomms, who had not sought re-election on the expiration of his term of office, thanking the members and officials for their courtesy. The Chairman regretted the severance of Mr. Tomms’ connection with the Board. Mr. J. J. Bentham, rate collector for Ketton, applied for an increase of his salary (£25 a year). The application was refused.
Child’s death – At an inquest at Stamford Town-hall, on Wednesday, the deputy-coroner (Mr. Godfrey Phillips) returned a verdict of “death from natural causes”on the body of Eric George Marvel, the three-month-old child of Arthur Albert Marvel, metal machinist, of 17, Gas-street. It appeared that the child was suffering from a cold and had been put to bed. The father and mother retired to bed on Tuesday about 8pm. The baby cried during the night, and the mother attended to it. On awaking at about 6 o’clock on Wednesday morning the baby was found to have passed away. Dr. W. A. Hawes said a post-mortem examination revealed the fact that the child had died from pneumonia. He did not consider there had been any neglect, the child being a weakling.
Fancy Dress Dance – A fancy dress dance, arranged by the drapers and outfitters in Stamford in aid of the Drapery Schools at Purley and Addington, was held in the Assembly-rooms on Thursday evening. About £10 was realised.
Reduced Rates – The Stamford magistrates on Saturday signed precepts for the rates for the half-year ending Sept. 31st as follows: St Michael’s, All Saints’ and St. George’s all 3s in the £, a reduction of 4d.; St. John’s and St. Martin’s (Within) 3s. each, a reduction of 3d.; St. Mary’s 2s.10d., a reduction of 4d.
Youth’s Foolish Action – At the police court, on Thursday, a youth was charged with stealing 21 £1 notes on March 23d. It appeared from the evidence that the lad had been in the habit of visiting a neighbour’s house, and going there took the notes which were in a wallet in the pocket of a coat. The only occupant was a man who was ill and was then in bed. The notes were the product of the sale of sucking pigs. The youth apparently became frightened on finding the amount of money and threw the whole lot on the fire. He now elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. The youth and his widowed mother were bound over in the sum of £5 for a period of six months, ordered to pay the costs of the case, and also to re-pay £5 of the amount within six months.
150 years ago
April 11, 1873
In the Stamford district there were registered during the quarter ended March 31st, 1873 – Deaths: males, 36; females, 33; total, 69. Births: males, 39, females, 64, total, 103. Of the deceased 15 were under a year old, and 31 over 60 years; 2 children died of whooping cough, and there were 5 deaths from accidents, violence, &c., 9 in public institutions.
At Stamford Spring Fair on Tuesday there was more than an average show of sheep, which commanded an advance of from 2s. to 4s. a head on the prices that ruled at the Midlent fair. There was not a large supply of beasts, and those sold changed hands at high rates. The stoppage of traffic in St. John’s-street, consequent on the operations of the Local Board, caused considerable annoyance and inconvenience to dealers and drovers.
The Stamford Barn-hill Mutual Improvement Association brought its winter sessions to a close by a conversazione on Monday. There was a large attendance of members and friends from the town and neighbourhood. The after-tea proceedings were chiefly of a musical character, in which Mrs. and Miss Anderson, of Wisbech, and the Misses Weldon, of Peterborough, more especially distinguished themselves.
A quarterly meeting of the Stamford Burial Board was held on Monday evening: present, the Rev. D. E. Jones (in the chair), the Rev. H. B. Browning, the Rev. A. C. Abdy, the Rev. B. O. Bendall, and Messrs. Sneath, Healy, Paradise, Stapleton, Chapman,and Young. A report of the proceedings of the Management Committee having been read, Mr. Sneath complained that the flower beds on some of the unpurchased grave spaces were in a very neglected state. He thought something ought to be done to compel the parties to keep them in proper order, and he believed that if a trifling charge were made every year for superintending them it would tend very much to induce poor people who have friends or relations buried in the cemetery to look more diligently after the graves and keep them neat and tidy.
Stamford Union – A letter from Mr. Fleming, the poor-law inspector of this district, was read, stating that he would attend the Board on the 23d inst. and confer with the Guardians on the subject of the proposed enlargement on the workhouse infirmary, and on the appointment by the Sanitary Authority of a medical officer of health and an inspector of nuisances. The weekly statistics of pauperism were as follows: Inmates of the house 144; corresponding period of last year 147; decrease 3. Recipients of out-relief 864, at a cost of £99 1s.6½d.; corresponding week of last year 813, at a cost of £93 3s. 9d. Tramps received during the week 19.
Bourn – White Bread Meadow – The annual letting of this field, the bequest of Matthew Clay, took place in the Queen’s Bridge, Eastgate, on the evening of the 7th inst., by Messrs. Lawrence and Carter. Mr. A. Skinner, of the Nag’s Head Inn, is the tenant for the year ending March 25, 1874, at £7. The proceeds are partly distributed in bread to the householders and commoners in the Eastgate ward, and the remainder applied to the purchase of bread and cheese, onions, bread and butter, radishes, and ale for those who attend the sale.
200 years ago
April 11, 1823
The business of the police of Stamford was enlivened on Tuesday evening by the apprehension of John Stangar, jun. and John Harwood, two young men shoemakers, of the town, who thought proper “for a lark,” to walk about the streets dressed in women’s clothes. They were confined all night and next day in the watch-house, and on Wednesday evening were let out in their female attire, and conducted by the chief-constable and assistants, attended by a mob of a thousand people (who pretty well baited them) to the Town-hall. They were remanded for a further examination yesterday, when, after a severe admonition from the magistrates, which brought them, characteristically enough, to their tears, they were discharged.
We have seen the Indian Juggler, whose performances have attracted so much attention since his arrival in this town. It is difficult for those who have not witnessed his exhibition to form an adequate conception of it from what they have witnessed in slight of hand by others. His manner has something in it particularly engaging, and essentially different from what is observable in the ordinary course of legerdemain. Perhaps the best feature in his performance is, the astonishing power of keeping four brass balls flying in the air at one and the same time. There is also the unaccountable feat of swallowing a naked sword! We understand he has prolonged his stay for a few nights, at reduced prices, and we hope he will meet with that encouragement he so well deserves.
On Friday evening the 4th instant, Bowd and Mackness, two fellows on whom sentence of death was passed at Huntingdon assizes (but which sentence was afterwards change to transportation for life), nearly effected their escape. They were observed by the maid-servant of a gentleman who lives near, on the top of the walls of the gaol. She informing her master of the circumstance, he watched their motions, and the moment they jumped down, seized both, and soon lodged them in their old quarters.
At Peterborough sessions on Wednesday, (before Lord Milton, chairman, the Rev. Dr. Strong, the Rev. H. Y, Smythies, and the Rev. C. Hodgson, Clerks,) John Blinkhorn and Thomas Wade were indicted for poaching in Burghley Park in the night of the 10th of January last, but were acquitted owning to a technical objection to the indictment.
At the sessions for the division of Holland, held at Boston on Tuesday, James Mawer, for stealing a great coat out of the house of Mr. John Bowen, at Freiston, the property of Dawson Swift, was found guilty, and sentenced to be transported for seven years.
On Tuesday night the Leeds up-mail was overturned near Wakefield, by coming in contact with the toll-bar. The crash was dreadful: the coachman had a thigh broken, and his head so severely wounded as to leave little hope for his life; the passengers were also much hurt.
