Find out about the past in Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and Market Deeping with Mercury Memories

April 20, 2012

Plans for 400 homes and a 25-acre business park in Stamford have moved forward after the developer submitted an outline application.

Commercial Estates Group has submitted the application to develop the 70-acre site between Tinwell Road and Empingham Road to South Kesteven District Council this week.

As well as the homes, which will be mainly two-storey family homes with gardens, there will also be community facilities including shops and 14 acres of open spaces and parks.

The developer is also exploring the possibility of providing medical facilities and is liaising with doctors and dentists in the area to see if there is a need.

Commercial Estates Group’s planning and development manager Jon Allen said: “The proposal will deliver attractive family homes, office space and much-needed community facilities in the west of Stamford including healthcare provision, neighbourhood shops and employment space.

“It will also open up large areas of new parks and leisure space to benefit existing as well as future residents.”

More than half the people with a green wheelie bin in the district have paid to keep having their garden waste collected.

South Kesteven District Council introduced a £25 fee for green bin collections on April 2 to offset the cost of the collection. Up until then the cost had been covered by the council.

In the eight weeks since the charge was approved, more than 14,500 households have signed up to the scheme.

District council portfolio holder for healthy environment John Smith (Con) said: “We are very pleased that so many of our residents have taken up the service.

“We have even sent out an additional 500-plus bins to residents who wanted additional bins or who were not already in the scheme.

“Green waste collection is something we know residents value and by introducing a small yearly fee we can continue to run the service at the current levels.”

Police are appealing for information after burglars broke into four houses.

The break-ins happened on Sunday in Stamford but police say it is too early to confirm if they are linked.

Burglars got into a house in Oak Road, Stamford, through a kitchen window between 3.30pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday. Police are unable to confirm what was taken.

Intruders also got into a house in Fife Close, Stamford, through a back window between 2pm and 3.45pm on Sunday. Jewellery and a laptop were taken.

And two properties n Highlands Way in Stamford were broken into after 7pm on Sunday.

Thieves took a laptop from one house after getting in through a window at the back of the house.

And they took jewellery, a set of car keys and a Seat car, fro another property in the street, after getting in through the conservatory roof.

Police community support officer David Vines was not able to say whether the thefts were linked.

But he appealed for any witnesses to get in touch with police as soon as possible.

25 years ago

April 18, 1997

Future housing development to the north of Stamford could bring the town’s long-awaited bypass a step nearer, according to a new report.

Commissioned by the Burghley House Preservation Trust, the report on housing development in South Kesteven favoured a northern route for the bypass similar to one previously considered by the town council.

It suggests developers looking at the north of Stamford, and existing businesses along the route, could be persuaded to contribute to the cost of a bypass.

Between 1991 and 2011, 10,000 houses are outlined to be built in the urban areas of South Kesteven, which includes Stamford.

Town clerk Tony Wain said: “The town council has been looking at the northern route, and what has been suggested in the report is in line with a lot of our thinking. It brings the bypass a step nearer.”

The proposed route is expected to go from Uffington, east of the comercial development on Ryhall Road, along the old railway line towards Borderville and across to Little Casterton and north of Great Casterton.

Wildlife in the West Glen river is under threat from the lack of rainfall, according to the Environment Agency.

The agency describes the condition of the river, which runs through Corby Glen and Essendine, as ‘serious’.

Fish have already been moved to deeper water, and any further danger to wildlife could force the agency to use reserves from the River Gwash, near Ryhall, to increase the flow.

Spokesman Roger Eastone said: “The situation in the Glen is quite serious. The river hasn’t been flowing well this winter.

“We do have a transfer system which takes water across to the Glen from the Gwash at Ryhall, but if we start using it now, our reserves will run out by August. We have to hold on as long as we can. But if it gets to the stage where wildlife is threatened, we would have to start using it.”

The system is normally used for about three months of the year starting in the summer. However, before Christmas last year the agency was already considered bringing it into emergency use.

The cause may never be known of a fire which caused damage estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds at Oundle School’s Stahl Theatre.

The rear of the theatre was almost destroyed by Monday morning’s blaze.

Demolition work started this week. As a result, Northamptonshire fire officers believe they will never be able to determine what started the fire.

The incident has forced the cancellation of the remainder of this year’s theatre programme and comes just weeks before A-Level and GCSE drama exams.

Robert Lowe, theatre director and drama tutor at Oundle School, lives next door to the theatre.

He said: “I was woken up by fire engines at around 2.30am and I could see flames pouring through the roof of the building.

“I’m devastated – it’s been dreadful. Our summer season was due to start in a fortnight and the pupils came back on Wednesday. My main priority at the moment is to get drama teaching up and running again as soon as possible before the exam season begins.”

Dressing rooms, green rooms, costumes and scenery were all destroyed.

Smoke badly damaged the rest of the theatre. It is believed the fire was burning for some time before the alarm was raised.

50 years ago

April 21, 1972

It is only a matter of time before a pedestrian is killed or injured in St Mary’s Street, Stamford, a local trader claimed this week.

The danger was highlighted on Monday when an articulated lorry mounted the pavement and severely damaged the front of Mr John Hammerton’s bookshop.

And Mr David Cross, owner of J. Eayres, the St Mary’s Street tailors, is concerned about possible loss of life.

The doorpost of his ship was damaged by a heavy lorry last week and he told the “Mercury” that the property had been damaged four or five times by lorries in the last year.

“But what really frightens me is the risk to pedestrians,” he said: “I am more concerned about the tragedy which is going to happen, than damage to property.

“An empty pram was crushed by a heavy lorry and there could easily have been a child in it at the time.”

Mr Cross believed that the answer is to raise the kerb in St Mary’s Street so that it will be more difficult for lorries to mount the pavement.

Mr Hammerton said on Tuesday that he could not give an estimate of the damage to his shop front but he expected that it would cost quite a lot to repair.

Some members of Oakham Urban Council expressed concern when it was pointed out at their meeting on Wednesday that the District Valuer’s valuation of 18 square yards of land in Westfield Avenue worked out at £67,000 an acre.

The piece of land formed part of the garden of council house No 21 Westfield Avenue, and the tenant of No 19 had expressed a wish to buy it if and when he purchased his house.

The District Valuer had valued the 18 square yards at £250 and the Housing Committee recommended the acceptance of his report.

Coun T. Suthern, who told the council that the price was equivalent to £67,000 an acre, thought the District Valuer should be approached again on the matter. “If the price is right we are going to get a terrific price for the land that we are going to sell in Cold Overton Road,” he commented.

Coun. J. Livingstone, whom oved the reference back of the recommendation, thought the reasons for the price quoted should be known.

The reference back was carried.

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Stamford on Sunday to see a parade before and after a service in All Saints’ Church, held to mark a thousand years of Stamford’s recorded history.

The parade, led by the band of Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, included aldermen, councillors and officials as well as representatives from over 15 local organisations.

The procession march in bright sunshine from the Town Hall along the crowded St Mary’s and St John’s Streets into Red Lion Square, before going into church.

The civic party was headed by the Mayor (Coun Ted Steele) in full regalia, with the deputy Mayor (Alderman George Swanson) and Town Clerk, Mr Harold Bedford, followed by Rutland and Stamford MP, Mr Kenneth Lewis, and the Corporation.

The commemoration service attracted a full congregation to All Saints’ Church.

100 years ago

April 21, 1922

Motor Accident – Whilst Mr. E. M. Ireland was driving a motor-cycle and side-car down Tinwell-road, Stamford, for some unaccountable reason the machine swerved and the wheel caught the kerb, with the result that Mrs. Ireland, who was in the side-car, was thrown violently against the palings. She sustained severe bruises, but, after resting at a house near by, was able to go to her home. Mr. Ireland and a passenger on the pillion seat escaped with a shaking, but the machine was considerably damaged.

Easter Eggs For The Blind – On Sunday afternoon a service was held at the Congregation church, Star-lane, Stamford, at which the Sunday school children contributed nearly 200 eggs to be sent to St. Dunstan’s Hostel.

First Aid Awards – On Sunday the final meeting of the winter session of the St, John Ambulance Association was held, when the instructor of the Stamford class, Dr. Holland, presented Mr. W. R, Newell, ho. Sec., with a fountain pen, and handed awards to the following: Certificates – Messrs. H. G. Shillaker, N. James. J. C. Sharpe, S. Hubbard, C. Goodliffe, B. Smith, and A. Bullock; vouchers – Messrs. H. Aldridge, R. Francis, and G. Rudkin; medallion – Mr. B. Wade; labels – Messrs. W. R. Newell, W. Newell, L. G. Saunders, J. Broughton, and J. Smith.

Masonic War Memorial – At the meeting of the Lodge of Merit Freemasons, Stamford, on Monday, the Worshipful Master (Bro. Col. L. H. P. Hart, D.S.O), unveiled a memorial roll, most tastefully designed and executed, of brethren who served in the war, together with a photograph of one of their number, Bro. A. M. Marks, who, while serving with the 4th Batt. Lincs. Regt. in France, made the great sacrifice.

No Carnival This Year – Owing to the fear that there would be insufficient support, it was decided, at a public meeting on Tuesday evening, not to hold a carnival on Whit-Monday on behalf of the funds of the Infirmary.

Harry Wilson, who at Stamford Quarter Sessions on April 5th was sentenced to three months imprisonment for the theft of a bicycle belonging to Mr. J. H. White, died in Leicester gaol on Saturday. At the hearing he had to be assisted into the dock and the Recorder said the best thing to do as to send him back to prison where he would be well looked after in the infirmary.

At the inquest Dr. C. A. Moore, medical officer at the prison, said after admission deceased was placed under treatment, and accommodated in a special cell set apart for tubercular cases. Witness saw the deceased about 6 p.m. on Saturday evening when symptoms of heart failure had set in.

The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes, namely, syncope following phthisis.

A Worthy Object – As the result of the annual collection in Bourne district for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, £15 14s. 1d. has been forwarded by the treasurer (Mr. H. C. Tointon) to the parent society.

150 years ago

April 19, 1872

At a meeting of the Stamford Burial Board on Monday last the following tenders were received for removing and rebuilding a portion of the wall of the cemetery and adding thereto sufficient to enclose the land just acquired under the award of the Inclosure Commissioners: Mr. W. Woolston, Stamford, £77; Mr. J. Naylor, King’s Cliffe, £74 10s.; Mr. R. Tinkler, Stamford, £69 5s.; Mr. Bassendine, Stamford, £65 6s.; Messrs. Halliday and Cave, Greetham, £52 10s.; Messrs. Roberts, Stamford, £49 10s. The latter was accepted.

Capt. Birch Reynardson, having been appointed aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of India, left London for Paris, with the Earl and Countess of Hopetown, on Tuesday the 16th, en route to Briadisi, from which place he will proceed, via Bombay, to join the Governor-General at Simla.

There are only two prisoners for trial at Stamford sessions tomorrow (Saturday), viz., John Ellis, for stealing a horse, saddle and bridle, the property of Mr. Hy. Whincup, of the George Hotel; and John Hawthorne, for stealing two calf’s feet, the property of Mr. John Duncomb, butcher.

On Wednesday, Mr. Pearce, the temperance orator from America, delivered an oration in the Corn-exchange, on “Smiles and Tears.” The chair was occupied by Mr. E. F. Young.

We are requested to state that Mrs. Smith, of the Lawn, Wothorpe, and of Red Lion-square, whose appointment as one of the overseers of Wothorpe, was mentioned in last week’s Mercury, declines to have anything whatever to do with the office, which has been unnecessarily attempted to be thrust upon her.

The Wheat Sheaf inn, St. Peter’s-hill, Stamford, was in imminent danger of being destroyed by fire a few nights ago. Just before retiring to rest, the inmates smelt a strong odour of burnt wood, and on investigating the cause it was discovered that a large beam which projected into the bar chimney was in flames. A portion of the wall of the room had to be taken down before the fire could be extinguished. The premises are insured in the Queen office, and the amount of damage was promptly paid by the Stamford agent, Mr. V. Stapleton, solicitor.

A platelayer named Thos. Plowright, whilst at work on the Midland railway at Helpston, on the 11th inst., sustained a fracture of one of his legs. He was lifting a lorry off the rails, when he slipped and it fell on him. He was brought to the Stamford Infirmary.

Football – Stamford v. Bourn – The return match between these clubs was played in Burghley Park on Saturday last, and resulted in a draw, neither party being able to score a goal. The Stamford got eleven touch-downs and the Bourn two. The players were: Stamford: Maule (Captain), Sharpe, Atter, Young, Beeley, Evans, Spencer, Rogers, Wilson, Bird, and Pinney. Bourn: A Bott (Capt.), H. Bott, C. Mawby, F. Mawby, P Stockdale, A. Stockdale, Wyles, Wright, Sang, Carter, and Hutchings.

Bourn – Another meeting of the Labourers’ Society took place at the Victoria-room, Bourn, on the evening of the 13th inst., when 11 more members joined the society, making altogether 49 members. John Coulson is appointed treasurer, and Chas. Coleman secretary.

200 years ago

April 19, 1822

Uppingham Poor-House.

To be Let,

The Management, Maintenance, clothing, &c. of the Poor-house of the Parish of Uppingham, commencing on the 2d day of May next. Any person procuring proper testimonials as to character and responsibility, will be treated with on applying to the Overseers of the Poor of the said parish.

Uppingham, April 15th, 1822.

A shocking accident occurred on Friday last at Broughton, near Melton Mowbray. A party of six young ladies being at the house of Mr. Parkes, went out in the forenoon with three horses to ride alternately near the house. Whilst they were thus amusing themselves, Miss Rebecca Beasley, (the eldest daughter of Mr. Beasley of Thorpe Satchville,and sister of Mr. Beasley, draper, of Stamford,) was unfortunately thrown from her horse with much violence, and her head coming in immediate contact with the ground, she was carried insensible into the house, and died from the accident in an hour afterwards. The unfortunate young lady had received a severe fracture of the skull. Miss Beasley was in her 21st year, and her melancholy fate is subject of universal regret.

We are concerned to say that the Small-pox rages dreadfully in Stamford at this time, and has done so for several weeks. This afternoon three children of a person named Graves, a wheelwright on Peter-hill, all of whom have perished of the disease, will be buried in one grave, and another child of the same family is dangerously ill of it. A person named Close, in St. George’s-street, lost two children last week; and in many other families the greatest alarm prevails. We apprehend that a serious responsibility attaches to those persons who, by inoculating for so pestilent a disease, have lent themselves to a vulgar prejudice and endangered the public health.

The village of Tansor, near Oundle, has within these few days been the scene of strange confusion and violence, owing to a bankrupt there barricading his premises, and standing a siege by the civil power. Possession was gained and lost two or three times by the respective parties – namely, the bankrupt and his servants and adherents (by whom fire-arms and missiles were freely used) on the one side, and the solicitor to the commission and a strong party of assistants on the other. The principal outrage occurred on Saturday night last – when the house, then in possession of the messenger under the commission, was beset by one of the bankrupts named in the commission, and from 12 to 20 other persons, who, after spending their ammunition pulled down two chimneys, with the materials of which they re-opened their battery. After breaking every door and window in the house, they succeeded in regaining possession.

On Friday the 12th inst., almost midnight, a large wheat-hovel on the premises of Mr Gamble, farmer, of Glapthorne near Oundle, was discovered to be on fire. The calamity appeared to be the work of an incendiary.