News in Rutland, Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings from years gone by

The Trust that runs Stamford Hospital has been promised help from the Government to tackle the “burden” of its private finance initiative repayments.

The Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Trust is one of seven trusts selected to get the assistance from senior Government lawyers and auditors, health minister Simon Burns has revealed.

The money will go towards loan repayments on the £290m Peterborough City Hospital which opened in November 2011, replacing Peterborough District Hospital and Edith Cavell Hospital.

Mr Burns said: “There are these seven trusts which are at the top of the scale, which are having a significant drag on their day-to-day running because of the PFI costs.

“The trusts have got significant problems as a result of these irresponsible PFI schemes that the last Labour government allowed..

“We have said, with those, that if they have a regime in place that ensures that the other financial running of the trust, with regard to the provision of healthcare is either sound or there are realistic measures to ensure they become sound, then we will be prepared to financially help them, solely with the burden of the FPI repayments, because it is a millstone round their neck”

Eyewitnesses have described the scene after a glider crash landed in a village field.

The aircraft came down in a field near the David Wilson Homes estate in Uffington Road, Barnack, after hitting power lines at about 5pm on Sunday.

The pilot was not injured in the crash but several homes in the village were left without power for an hour afterwards.

Eyewitness Lucy Lawrence,18, said: “I was at home and noticed that we were having a power cut, and thought nothing of it until I heard the sirens fills the air and then saw many of my neighbours overspilling into the street to witness the terrible event.

“I was able to listen to the police conversing with the pilot after many of the crowd had gone and overheard that he was extremely lucky as the 11,000V cable that he crashed into went straight through the cockpit of the gilder.”

Areas of Lincolnshire suffering from little or no broadband are being highlighted as part of a campaign to improve connectivity.

A map showing huge areas of so-called “not-spots”across the county has been drawn up by Lincolnshire County Council in the hope that businesses in the area will be spurred into action and register with the onlincolnshire,org website.

More than 530 residents and about 80 businesses in the Mercury area have already added their voices to the Broadband Means Business campaign, but more are needs to reach the countywide target of 10,000 by December.

Simon Beardsley, chief executive of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce which is spearheading the campaign on behalf of the council along with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors, said: “The map is a stark wake-up call for all businesses in Stamford and the surrounding area to realise just how much we are missing out on.”

25 years ago

August 29, 1997

Stamford Chamber of Trade is meeting on Wednesday in a bid to come up with a plan to save the town centre.

It will be the first meeting of the chamber’s new Business Club, and high on the agenda will be how the chamber should approach the rejuvenation of the town centre, which has seen a large number of shops close over the last year.

Chamber member Brian Montgomery said:”We are hoping we will be able to get some sort of initiative underway, and come up with some solutions that everyone can agree on.

“Sadly Stamford is starting to look a little frayed around the edges, with a number of empty shops in the High Street, and we have to try and do something to bring businesses and shoppers into the town.”

Don Lambert, chamber president, said: “This plan is still in its infancy but I am determined to get it off the ground. It’s an idea that we will sit down and thrash out.

“There are a lot of plans to be made and lots of people need to be motivated.”

At a recent chamber meeting members heard how Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire managed to revive its flagging fortunes by marketing itself and attracting new businesses to the town.

A demonstration was held at Casterton Road, Stamford, on Tuesday, in an attempt to stop land being used for a tyre and exhaust centre.

More than 20 residents turned out to protest against the use of the former Power Farming site for industrial purposes.

Plans for alterations to a building on the site, alongside Torkington Street, are likely to be approved by councillors today, making way for Kwik-Fit Properties Ltd, which owns the land, to open a tyre and exhaust centre.

South Kesteven District Council planning officers have recommended approval for the alterations, but the action group says if the plan is approved they will take the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Stephen Greaan, chairman of the Casterton Road Action Group, said: “We have been in touch with an organisation called Planning Aid which thinks there has been a malfunction of local Government.

“We are lobbying all the planning committee members to try and convince them that a mistake has been made in the classification of the land.

“If the committee approves the application, we will take our case to the ombudsman.”

A leaking water cylinder has caused a charity day centre in Bourne to close its doors this week.

The Butterfield Centre in North Road, was closed for two days because of water damage and faced being closed for a longer period and having to make do without their main supply of hot water. However the Len Pick Trust has pledged almost £4,000 to replace the faulty cylinder to keep the centre open,

On Saturday morning the day room was found to be several inches under water because of the leak from the hot water cylinder which dates back to when the centre was a hospital.

Despite the best efforts of the centre’s staff, who worked all weekend to clean up the flood water in an effort to reduce the length of time the centre was out of action, it remained closed Monday and Tuesday.

A dehumidifier was brought in and the carpet cleaned professionally by a specialist firm.

The Butterfield Centre reopened for business to day care patients on Wednesday.

50 years ago

September 1, 1972

Wansford railway station may become the centre of a Peterborough pleasure park. The park, will run from Peterborough, along the River Nene and up to the A1, and include golf courses, lakes and other outdoor facilities.

But the main attraction will be a tourist railway running along the river, along the Peterborough to Oundle line.

This line will be closed by British Rail, and the Peterborough Railway Society will take over five miles of the track to make a “special” tourist attraction.

The attraction may live, for railway enthusiasts especially, in seeing five old steam locomotives carrying passengers through rejuvenated and new stations.

The Peterborough Railway Society will spend as much as £130,000 to buy the railway tracks and land and to get the scheme”off the ground”. They hope to be able to raise this money with the help of local railway enthusiasts.

The railway, which is hoped will be completed by 1977, will pass through five stations of which three are still being used on the Peterborough to Oundle line. Two platforms - “disembarkation points” - will be built by the society.

A slim chance that Stamford may keep its cinema emerged this week with the news that its owner has taken over a town bingo club.

Owner of Palace Entertainments, Mr Leslie Jaffa, was given a transfer of the licence of the Lansbury Bingo Club by borough justices on Wednesday.

He takes over from Mr Ronald Green, of Wothorpe, who in May opposed Mr Jaffa’s plans concerning the Central Cinema.

Mr Jaffa had planned to use the cinema as a bingo club with a cinema on the fop floor, and bingo would run three nights a week.

Mr Green objected on the grounds that his club fully catered for the needs of Stamford, and a petition with 400 names was submitted. Now, with his takeover, Mr Jaffa says there is a faint chance that films only will be shown at the cinema.

Mr Jaffa added that bingo at the Lansbury Club would, continue as normal, although in the future he hopes to increase the number of nights there.

There are to be no more films at Bourne’s Tudor Cinema, the management of Silver Line Entertainments, the owners, have decided.

For after giving films an extended run, they have lost money heavily, and will now go over entirely to bingo sessions.

Earlier, the management had said that movies would be ended, but, in deference to 250 people signing a petition asking for them to be retained, movies were reprieved for a month.

A management spokesman said that for a Walt Disney double bill last week, the attendance for three days was only 70. This he said proved that Bourne people just do not want a cinema.

“If only half the people who signed the petition had turned up, we would have kept going,” he claimed.

Bourne’s Royal British Legion annual fete, held in the North Road, Bourne, grounds of Mr and Mrs T. L. Brodrick, on Monday, attracted plenty of patrons.

On the programme were a children’s fancy dress competition, tombola, produce and cake stalls, and a number of games.

100 years ago

September 1, 1922

Stamford and Rutland Infirmary -Week ending August 29th, 1922 – Admissions and discharges of patients:Out-patients made in-patients 1, admitted 10, discharged 3, on books 47. Medical attendant, Dr. Greenwood. Acknowledged with thanks: Mrs. martin, magazines and toys; Mr, Smith, fruit; rev, Mr. Pritchett, sack of vegetables; donation, B. Tyler, 5s.; don., Grateful Patient, 10s.

Sunday School Treat – The children attending St. John’s Sunday school in Stamford had their annual treat on Thursday. Tea was served at Mrs. Barton’s restaurant, but owing to bad weather the sports programme was abandoned, and the children were taken to a performance at the Palace.

Athletic Football Club – As a result of a dance held at the Red Triangle Hut, Stamford, on Thursday evening, the Athletic Football Club funds will benefit by about £2. Between 70 and 80 were present, Messrs. T. Burr and W. Meadwell acting as M.C.’s. Music was supplied by Mr. H. Jones and Mr. A. Hodgson.

Ended in Smoke – The Stamford North End Football Club has been dissolved and the winding up was celebrated with a smoking concert at the Vaults, ironmonger-street, on Tuesday evening. Mr. R. Helstrip acted as chairman and was supported by Mr.J. Everest (vice-chairman). The artistes who contributed towards an enjoyable programme were: Messrs. S. Webb, G. Wilson, W.Kent, F. Lawson, and A. Leonard.

Bourne

A Little-Known Lighting Regulation – When Robert Dunstan Bass, of Peterborough, was summoned at the police court on Thursday for not illuminating the back plate of his motor cycle at Market Deeping. Supt. Duffin told the court the rear identification plates had to be illuminated 30 minutes after sunset, although full lights were not required until an hour after sunset. The Bench, in fining defendant 7s.6d., expressed the opinion that the regulation in question was not generally known.

Uppingham

Leicester Players Too Good – Their visitors, Leicester Nomads, proved too good for the Uppingham tennis team on Saturday. The matc was played under perfect conditions, and the courts were in tip-top order. Leicester won by 9 rubbers 0, 18 sey3, and 123 games 67.

Details:

Wallace and Mrs Freer (Nomads) beat Buswell and Miss Mear 6-2, 6-3; beat Leich and Miss Baldwin 6-1, 6-2; beat Thorpe and Miss Barnett 6-4, 6-0.

Paget and Mrs. Bennett (Nomads) beat Buswell and Miss mear 5-6, 6-2, 6-1; beat Leich and Miss Baldwin 6-0,6-3; beat Thorpe and Miss Barnett 6-2,6-3.

Bott and Miss Tricks (Nomads) beat Buswell and Miss Mear 6-5, 2-6, 6-2; beath Leich and Miss Baldwin 6-5,6-3; beat Thorpe and Miss Barnett 6-2, 4-6, 10-8.

150 years ago

August 30, 1872

Mr. Henry Michelson, Mr. George Patterson, and Mr. Chas. Healy have been appointed Magistrates for the Borough of Stamford.

Messrs. Ashby, Jeffery, and Luke, of the Rutland Iron Works, Stamford, have carried off the first prize silver medal offered by the North Lancashire Agricultural Society for the best haymaker, in competition with Messrs. Howard, Nicholson, and Boby’s machines.

An inquest was held at Ryhall on Monday last, before Mr. Keal, coroner, on the body of a chimney sweep named Thos. Perry, aged 45, who died very suddenly on Saturday last. He was harvesting for Mr. Payne, butcher, of Stamford, and whilst loading wheat he was seen to stagger and fall. He was raised by some fellow labourers, when he gasped once or twice and expired. Verdict, disease of the heart.

The Diseased Meat – At Stamford petty sessions, on Saturday, Mr. Atter, who appeared on behalf of the prosecution in this case, asked for an adjournment, owing to Mr. Morgan, a medical man, having been called away. Mr. Laxton, who was engaged for the defence, said there had been a good deal of talk about the affair, but that he had seven or eight witnesses to show that it was not what had been represented. The hearing of the case was adjourned for a week.

Rutland

The New Licensing Act – Was put into operation last week as to closing of public-houses, beer-houses, &c.in this county: all licensed houses are ordered to be closed at 11 at night, and not to open before 6 in the morning on week days; and on Sundays not to be open before half-past 2 and 6, and at 10 at night. Beer-houses to close at 10 every night. Monday next is the annual licensing meeting for the county.

Foot-and-mouth disease appears to be considerably on the decrease in this county, especially among cattle, the number of fresh outbreaks reported for the week ending 24th August being 44, comprising 185 cattle, 518 sheep, and 13 pigs, as against the week ending 10th August, when there were 79 outbreaks, comprising 403 cattle, 672 sheep, and 4 pigs. The largest number reported in one week.

Postal telegraph offices are about to be opened at North Luffenham and South Luffenham.

Mr. J. Talbot Clifton, formerly of Catmos House, Oakham, has presented a beautiful park of several acres in extent to the inhabitants of Lytham. The park is situated at the north end of the town, and is very convenient for both residents and visitors.

Edenham – On the 14th instant the choir of this parish church were treated by the Baroness Willoughby and the Vicar to a day at Hunstanton. On the 21s, through Lady Willoughby’s kind liberality, the children on the books of the National schools had their annual feast in the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle. There was divine service in the church at half-past 12, after which they proceeded to the gardens. The children from the Swinstead schools were invited by her Ladyship to join them there, and a most pleasant day was spent by all, about 150 children being present. The evening was brought to a close by a distribution of prizes by the Vicar of Edenham on Lady Willoughby’s behalf, followed by repeated cheers for her kindness.

200 years ago

August 30, 1822

At a chartered hall of the corporation held yesterday, Mr. Alderman West was nominated to serve the office of Mayor of this borough for the year ensuing.

On Saturday evening last, as Wm.Pick, a creditable labourer and ground-keeper, of Wothorpe, was returning home with this wife after spending the day at Stamford, he suddenly exclaimed “I am dying,” and immediately expired upon the turnpike-road, about 200 yards from his own door! An inquest was held on the body on Monday, by Mr. Hopkinson, coroner for the liberty of Peterborough, and a verdict returned of died by the visitation of God. The deceased was 62 years of age.

Stamford Millers’ Statute will be held, on the Market-hill, on Friday the 6th of September, at the usual hour.

An Ordinary will be provided at the Coach and Horses, St, Martin’s, at 3 o’clock; and all who intend honoring the meeting with their company, are requested to leave their names at the bar of the above inn, previous to 12 o’clock of the same day.

August 27, 1822

Town-hall, Stamford, 22d August, 1822

At an adjourned Meeting of the Inhabitants of Stamford and St. Martin’s, Stamford Baron, held for the purpose of taking into further consideration an intended plan for Lighting the Town with Gas;

John David, Esq. Mayor, in the chair;

The resolutions of the last Meeting having been read and the Subscription-book produced, by which it appeared that the sum of £2900 (as part of the sum of £5000, the required capital) was subscribed by the inhabitants of Stamford and St. Martin’s.

Resolved, that such person or persons, being Inhabitants of Stamford and Stamford Baron, as may wish to subscribe to the above undertaking, be required to declare such their intention of subscribing on or before Saturday the 31st day of August instant; and that the shares which shall not have been subscribed, be offered to the present subscribers on Monday the 2d day of September next: and in case such subscribers do not take the whole of such shares, that then they shall be open to the public.

Resolved, that a Meeting of the Subscribers be held on Monday the said 2d day of September, at the Town-hall, at 12o’clock, for the purpose of nominating a Committee, and for making such other arrangements as may be thought necessary for carrying the plan into execution.

Resolved that these resolutions be printed in both the Stamford papers.

Signed at the request of the Meeting,

J. Davis, Chairman.

Mr. Mayor having left the chair, Resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be given to him for his attention to the business of the day.

The Misses Hetley, Milliners and Dress-makers, High-street, Stamford, have a vacancy for Two Apprentices – Applications by letter, post paid.

August 28th, 1822.

Howes and Roden, Linen and Woollen Drapers, &c., Stamford, are in immediate want of an Apprentice. Application by letter, to be post paid.

29th August, 1822.