Looking back 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 years ago with Rutland & Stamford Mercury Memories
The Rutland & Stamford Mercury, Britain's oldest continuously published newspaper, publishes excerpts from its archive.
10 years ago
Three hundred jobs are to go at hospitals in Stamford and Peterborough.
Seven months after it opened the new £289m Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust told staff on Wednesday that it was looking to make redundancies to plug a £38m shortfall in its budget.
Although it is too early to say where the jobs will go, the trust will be reviewing all its services so staff at Stamford Hospital could be in the firing line. No timescale has been given on the review process.
The trust has suffered a reduction in its income for primary care trusts commissioning services and running costs and staff numbers have gone up. The new hospital is also proving more expensive to run.
The trust employs 3,500 people with about 200 of those at Stamford. It says it will reduce the number of agency staff and will not fill non-essential vacancies.
The trust’s medical director John Randall said: “I don’t have any guarantee in relation to jobs at Stamford. However what I can say is we very much value Stamford Hospital. It is a very important part of our trust and any reduction in staff we do make we want to maintain the quality of our care and frontline services.”
A fundraising group had a busy month donating to charities and schools.
The Stamford and District Kiwanis helped out St Gilbert’s Primary School, the Evergreen Care Trust and the StartaFresh scheme in May.
Members donates a Netbook to children at St Gilbert’s. Pupils will be able to use the learning tool during the day and at the after school club Gilbert’s Gang.
Headteacher Claire Thorley said: “The new Netbook will be enjoyed by all.
“We are very grateful to the Kiwanis for helping us further develop the ICT accessed in school.”
The Kiwanis donated £1,000 to the StartaFresh befriending scheme at Christ Church in Green Lane, raised from collections during Stamford Festival, a bonfire night display and Santa’s tour of the town last year.
And members of the Evergreen Care Trust lunch club are set for a feast after a Kiwanis donation paid for new ovens at the Essex Road and St Clements kitchens.
Controversial plans to turn a house into a boutique hotel and restaurant have been given the green light.
Angellus Hotels applied in November to covert 4 St Mary’s Place, Stamford, into a nine bedroom hotel and 66-seat restaurant.
Members of South Kesteven District Council’s development control committee said they were minded to refuse planning permission in February and the application was deferred three times while a noise and odour assessment was carried out/
There had been concerns that the kitchen to the rear of the property would disturb neighbouring properties.
But councillors approved the change of use from residential to hotel and restaurant, along with a two-storey extension, on Tuesday.
A related application for changes to a listed building was deferred so members could visit the site.
Conditions imposed by the council limit the restaurant opening times and delivery times to the hotel, and require a number of controls on kitchen equipment and design.
25 years ago
Stamford businesses are being urged to support a new drive to publicise the town.
Don Lambert, who runs photography businesses in Wellington Lane and North Street, became the new president of Stamford Chamber of Trade this week, taking over from Sue Gray.
He immediately set out aims for the year ahead, including a £2,000 appeal to launch a series of radio advertisements to raise the profile of the town.
“We need to push what Stamford has to offer for the shopper and the entertainment seeker more aggressively on radio throughout the next year, at Christmas time, during the festival and fair weeks or even when the town simply needs a boost,” Mr Lambert said.
He has appealed to each of the Chamber’s 126 members to give £20 or more, depending on the size of their business, to fund the radio advertisements. Mr Lambert was the first to give £20.
The increasing number of boarded-up shop windows is another target.
Mr Lambert said: “They create the impression we’re in the inner city. Owners could be encouraged to paint them green, anything to make them less ugly. Ideally, a local artist could paint a picture on them.”
A decision will be released next week on whether postal services will be hit by strike action.
Royal Mail staff have been balloted by the Communication Workers’ Union and the result is scheduled to be announced on Sunday.
The possible industrial action, which will hit sorting, delivery and collection services, has come about over a new working package.
Royal Mail is offering a basic wage of nearly £11,000 a year, a commitment to a five-day week by the year 2000 and one-and-a-half hours off the working week providing new practices are taken on.
But the CWU says it will result in a web of allowances – such as extra money for night or weekend work – disappearing.
Local CWU branch secretary Simon Massen said: “We want a negotiated settlement. Our members are at the end of their tether. They feel valued by the British public but not by their employer.”
Millennium plans are underway in Bourne with a plan to re-build a clock tower destroyed in a fire 60 years ago.
Councillors suggested the idea at a meeting of the amenities committee at Bourne Town Hall on Thursday.
Councillors now plan to approach South Kesteven District Council to suggest a joint project to rebuild the old Bourne Town Hall clock tower.
Chairman Coun Mrs Shirley Cliffe first made the suggestion to replace the existing clock because of its bad time-keeping.
Coun Mrs Cliffe said: “There is something very wrong with the clock because it goes for a day or half-a-day and then stops. I would like to see the old tower re-built.”
The clock tower was part of the original town hall built in 1821 at a cost of £3,600. But the tower was destroyed 60 years ago and never rebuilt.
Coun Mrs Lesley Patrick added: “It would be something to remember the millennium by if we put back the tower again.”
Coun John Kirkman said: “We did ask for the clock tower to be replaced when the town hall was refurbished a few years ago, but SKDC said they couldn’t do it because it was too expensive.”
Coun Kirkman suggested a joint project between the district council and the town council.
50 years ago
Archaeological excavations behind Stamford School’s Elm Street buildings have revealed a 13th to 14th century kiln.
Director of Excavations for the Stamford Archaeological Research Committee, Miss Christine Mahany, said this week that the aim of the dig had been to find the precise line of the medieval defences of the town.
She added that the town wall was thought to lie along the south edge of Elm Street, which would mean that the town ditch would be outside the wall, and thought to be between Elm Street and East Street.
“However, the findings of the dig are rather ambiguous, and instead of a deep ditch there appears to be a shallow quarry,” she said.
The kiln is not a pottery kiln, but is thought instead to have been used for drying corn or malt, she added.
“It consists of a stokehole and fire, and a drying chamber of two channels and a central ridge.
“The material to be dried might possibly be spread above this on a horse-hair sieve,” said Miss Mahany, “At any rate, no trace of the original floor has been found.”
A campaign to get the River Welland in the Deepings cleaned as soon as possible is being organised by Deeping St James Angling Club.
Chairman Mr Jim Measures told the “Mercury” on Saturday: “We have one of the most beautiful stretches of river in England running through the Deepings.
“But if we do not look after it it could become an open sewer within 20 years.”
Mr Measures said that the Angling Club had written to the Welland and Nene River Authority about cleaning the river.
“There is quite a large deposit of mud encroaching from the banks and this is spoiling the river for everyone,” he said.
He said that the river authority replied saying that they were looking into the matter, but because of cost it was unlikely that the cleaning could be done this year.
Newly-elected Labour councillor Mr George Essex on Thursday attacked the system of appointing new committee members to Stamford Borough Council.
Coun Essex said that a meeting of the town planning committee was held on Monday and he was not elected to the committee until 48 hours afterwards.
“I would like to know why the selection committee do not meet earlier so that members can attend the committees to which they are appointed.
Coun Essex said that he had also been appointed to the housing committee. “I am now committed to other engagements on a Wednesday evening so it makes it a bit awkward,” he said.
“Also, as a tenant of a council house I feel that I would be in an awkward position as a member of the housing committee. I have always felt that it is better not to serve on it.”
Coun Essex was also appointed to serve on the road safety committee.
“I want to make it quite clear that I have nothing against this committee. But when I was a councillor before, I served on this particular committee for 12 years and I don’t feel like starting
again.
100 years ago
Lady Swimmers – At a meeting under the auspices of the Stamford Swimming Club, presided over by Mr. A. Sorfleet at the Oddfellows’-hall on Monday evening, it was decided to form a ladies’ branch of the club, whilst the section will have the full support of the gentlemen’s branch, it was resolved that the organisation should be independent of other departments. Arrangements were made for the formation of a ladies’ water polo team, and it was decided to apply to the Town Council for Monday evenings from 7 p,m. To 8 p.m. to be set apart as a ladies club night. Mr. C. E. Dodman, the club’s secretary, has consented to act in a similar capacity to the newly-formed section.
Mentioned in Despatches - Driver Bob Hughes, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hughes, of Elm House, was notified on Sunday by the Secretary of State for War that he was mentioned in a despatch from Gen. Sir G. F. Milne, dated 9th March, 1919, for gallant and distinguished services in the field. Driver Hughes, after serving in France, proceeded to Salonika, where he remained 3½ years.
Motor Accident – Whilst riding a motor cycle on Sunday, Edwin S. Hagger, of Yaxley, was the victim of an accident caused by his machine colliding at the corner of Scotgate with the rear wheel of a motor van, laden with passengers, being driven by J. S. Farnsworth, of St. George’s-square. The unfortunate motorist was rendered unconscious and was removed to Mr. J. H. Woolhouse’s shop, where it was found he was suffering from injuries to the legs. His machine was badly damaged. After remaining some time Haggar was conveyed home in a motor car.
Serious Accident to Cyclist – William Barnett, of Barnack, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Barnett, of Foundry-road, was admitted to the Stamford Infirmary on Monday evening suffering from grave injuries sustained in a cycle accident. The unfortunate man was riding down Tinwell-road carrying a parcel on his handle bars, and in turning to proceed to the Eight-acres at the corner of Rutland-terrace his knee caught the parcel and caused the cycle to swerve. The front wheel caught the kerb and Barnett was thrown violently on his head against the wall. When picked up he was unconscious. He was conveyed immediately to the Infirmary, where it was ascertained that he was suffering from concussion of the brain, severe wounds to the face, and other injuries. He is reported to be going on as well as can be expected.
Warning to Owners of War Trophies – A fact that is not generally known was brought home to a Gedney Marsh labourer named George Rushby at Holbeach police court on Thursday week, when he was charged with having a gun in his possession without a proper certificate. Supt Woolnough said that all firearms must be registered, except war trophies, for which exemptions could be obtained, provided they belonged to an ex-soldier or his parents. As that was the first case locally under the regulations he was prepared to withdraw it on payment of costs, and to this course the Bench agreed, though warning the public that offences of this character were liable to a fine of £50.
150 years ago
All Saints’ church, Stamford is now closed for repairs; and for the congregation usually worshipping there additional services will be held in St John’s church – in the morning at 9.15 and in the evening at the usual time.
The drama henceforth will have no permanent local habitation in Stamford. It flourished profitably in the days of Mr. Manly, just paid its way in the early career of Mr. W. Robertson, and began to decline rapidly as railway communication gave country people greater facilities for frequent visits to the metropolis. Except for a short period under the managements respectively of Miss Goddard, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Clarke, the theatrical seasons at Stamford have of late years been disastrous to the managers,and the consequence is a determination on the part of the lessee that the public shall be no longer taxed for indifferent performances nor theatrical speculators allowed to run the risk of serious pecuniary loss. The scenery and fittings are advertised for sale, and the building will be fitted up as a club, for the establishment of which a company has been formed, and more than half the number of shares to be allotted have already been taken. The Marquis of Exeter, Lord Burghley, Lord Brownlow Cecil, and Lord F. Cecil are among the shareholding members.
Market Deeping – An accident of a frightful nature occurred here on Wednesday night the 24th ult. It being Deeping fair there were three or four minor entertainments and minor exhibitions, amongst which was one called “Bushell’s Cabinet of Amusement and Curiosities”, Bushell’s daughter, an active young person eighteen years of age, came to the entrance of the booth ready to admit another audience, the father remaining inside adjusting a naptha lamp, which he had replenished with benzoline. Unfortunately he knocked the lamp against his boot and sent out some flaming spirit on his legs: fearing it would set fire to his booth he kicked the lamp out and scattered the burning spirits over his daughter. Her light dress was instantly in flames, and she rushed through the crowd into the shop of Mr. Linnell, chemist. Mr. John Holland, of Deeping St. Nicholas, with great presence of mind he took off his coat, and instantly wrapped it round the suffering creature and laid her on the floor. The fire was thus subdued, and she was removed to the Bull inn, where she was immediately attended by Mr. Kelly, Mr. Page, and Mr. McMohon, and everything that medical skill and attention could do for her has been done. She still lies in a deplorable condition; her legs, the lower part of her back, and her arms and shoulders are fearfully burnt. Her father’s leg was much burnt and is very unwell from the shock. The parties being in a state of poverty, the aid of the charitable has been solicited. Subscription lists are open, and donations kindly received by Mr. Linnell, Mr. G. Shillaker, and Mr. Wherry.
200 years ago
Superior Oak and Ash Timber,
To be Sold by Auction, for Ready Money,
By T. Howes,
On Tuesday the 5th day of June, 1821, in Hostage Wood, near Blatherwycke Park, Northamptonshire;
Consisting of between Four and Five Hundred Oak Trees, and One Hundred and Fifty Ash ditto, including the Top-wood, to be sold in small lots for the convenience of purchasers.
The above timber is of an excellent quality, and calculated for the use of timber-merchants, building carpenters, wheelwrights, coopers, farmers, &c., and lies within one mile of King’s Cliffe and two of Duddington.
The auctioneer requests the favor of the company to meet at the wood at 10 o’clock, at which time the sale will commence.
On Monday last, about two o’clock in the afternoon, the inhabitants of Castle Bytham were much alarmed from the effects of an unusually vivid flash of lightning, from a north-west direction, which was instantly succeeded by a tremendous clap of thunder. In a few minutes after, smoke was observed to issue from the thatch of a house in the occupation of William Wing. It appeared that the electric fluid had entered the chimney; and, after slightly damaging the walls in a lower room, partially melting some brass and iron articles, and leaving other visible marks of its power, it made its way into an upper chamber, and, setting fire to some clothes, parts of which were burnt to tinder, it forced its way out at the gable end of the house, near the thatch; and, in an adjoining yard, it was seen by some persons to expend itself on the ground. Most providentially, not one of the family happened to be in the house at the time; but a few minutes before, the man’s wife and children had left it.
On Thursday night the 24th ult. about eleven o’clock, as Mr. and Mrs. Rowell were returning home to Langtoft from Market Deeping fair, they were waylaid, at the end of Deeping town, by three men in smock frocks, who succeeded in robbing them of £15 in cash and bank bills, after which they suffered them to proceed. We hear also of several other depravations committed on that evening; amongst the sufferers, a servant-girl,on her way home to Uffington, was robbed of a bundle, containing the whole of her wearing apparel.
On Monday se’nnight was apprehended at Hull, a man who went in that place by the name of the Young Levanter, charged with stealing from a paddock near Stamford a horse the property of Mr. Warren, of Empingham, Rutland, which the prisoner sold at Gainsboro’ fair. He had, previously to the expedition in which he committed this robbery, been for some time in Hull, where he has left a six-year-old chesnut mare with white feet, which probably was obtained in a similar way. On Friday last he underwent an examination before the magistrates at Stamford, and was by them committed to Lincoln Castle, for trial at the ensuing assizes, for stealing Mr. Warren’s horse. His commitment is by the name of Moses Linton. The thief had been pursued with indefatigable zeal by Mr. Warren, who rode several hundred miles in search of his horse.
Bourn Fen, Lincolnshire.
To be Sold by Private Contract,
A Piece of rich Pasture Land, situate in Bourn Fen aforesaid, containing 7A. 1R. 29P., nearly 5 Acres of which is Freehold, ad the remainder Copyhold, lying West of land belonging to Mr. Pratt, and East of land belonging to Mr. Warren.