Take a delve into the archive of the Rutland and Stamford Mercury with Mercury Memories
Every week we delve into our archives from years gone by for the same week. Have a look
10 years ago
A blind woman is calling on shopkeepers to remove their advertising boards from Stamford town centre – because she says it has become terrifying to walk there.
Kathleen Windsor, 76 says the glut of A-boards means people with eyesight problems find it hard to negotiate the streets, particularly High Street and Ironmonger Street.
Mrs Windsor, who lives in Browne’s Hospital in Broad Street, Stamford, started losing her sight about five years ago due to age-related macular degeneration and has been registered blind for two years. She has no central vision but can partially see to the sides.
She said: “There are more and more A-boards springing up in the town and is just terrifying because I don’t know where to walk,
“I have often been in shops and asked them politely to move the boards and they do, but the next day they are out again.
“I can understand why they want them for the passageways but I don’t understand why they need to have them all over the High Street and Ironmonger Street outside shops.”
Mrs Windsor has written to Stamford Town Council and South Kesteven District Council about the problem and said she would like traders to exercise some common sense.
The 100th birthday of Stamford bandstand was celebrated at a special tea party on Wednesday night.
The Friends of the Recreation Ground organised the celebration for about 30 people, which included groups that use The Rec, Stamford town councillors including mayor David Brailsford and Burghley House director Miranda Rock.
There were 100 cupcakes baked to mark the occasion and the event was followed by the friends’ monthly meeting.
At the meeting they discussed what they hoped the playarea and the bandstand would look like in 100 years time including plans for improvements to the toilets and the skatepark committee.
The first no cold calling zone has been launched in Market Deeping by police.
The neighbourhood policing team in Market Deeping has teamed up with Lincolnshire Trading Standards to launch the zone, which covers 180 households in Wellington Way, Shackleton Close, Anson Court and Lancaster Way.
Police community support officer Raechell Last set up the zone after a conman posing as a water board worker tried to get into a house in Wellington Way. The resident refused to let him in but the incident highlighted the need for a zone in the area.
Officer Last said: “These zones are designed to stamp out the problem of bogus callers and distraction burglars.
“Anyone thinking of doing anything like that will know all the residents in the area are clued up on the issues and will call us immediately if they have any suspicious.
“This acts as a real deterrent and means these criminals just stay away.”
No objections were received to implementing the scheme in the area.
Officer Last added: “There are a lot of vulnerable people in those streets and everyone was 100 per cent behind me. I hope it will be a real success.”
A similar scheme has already been set up by Stamford’s neighbourhood policing team to cover the Essex Road area of Stamford.
25 years ago
A £12,000 appeal has been launched to keep a Deepings Scout group thriving.
The 1st Deeping St James Scouts must be out of their present headquarters in Church Street by the end of 1997 and the search is now on to find another site before the deadline.
Calculations have shown a new site will cost around £40,000 and, taking into consideration various grants available, the amount left to raise by the group in the next two years is £12,000.
This is in addition to the group’s current running costs.
Roy Cockrill, a member of the scout hut steering committee, said: “£12,000 is clearly a serious amount of fund-raising to achieve, and given the Deepings area calendar of current barn dances, fetes, sponsorship and social occasions, it is unlikely to be met if we are to join that arena.
“We have a definite deadline and our only secure method is by way of regular donations.”
The group has now sent out letters to parents informing them of the campaign and asking them for help.
Stamford Citizens Advice Bureau could be in new, purpose-designed premises by the end of the year.
Manager Valerie Mansfield told the Mercury that December has been fixed as a deadline for a move from the cramped Sheep Market offices.
The CAB is currently in discussions with South Kesteven District Council and a suitable town centre property has been pinpointed, but an exact date for a move has yet to be finalised.
“We have been having discussions with the district council since March and all the indications are that things are firming up in our favour,” she added.
The new building will allow the CB to increase its services and manning hours.
Rutland Memorial Hospital is a credit to the county - and that’s official.
The hospital has become the latest in the Fosse Health Trust to receive formal recognition of the quality of its services under the Trent Regional Small Hospitals Accreditation Scheme.
The scheme, which has been operating for about three years, involves each participating hospital undertaking an intensive two-day assessment programme organised by senior NHS managers from the Trent region.
Community General Manager for Melton and Rutland Health Services Jean King said: “The whole of the staff are delighted that their efforts over many months have resulted in the hospital becoming accredited at its first attempt.
“The award is a wonderful endorsement of the quality of work by everyone at the hospital and also a tribute to the close links with the community which the Foss Health Trust strongly encourages, and about which the Accreditation Team made particular reference.”
It’s going to be a steamy summer at Rutland Railway Museum.
The Cottesmore based attraction has welcomed new engines into its growing collection – and is preparing for a series of memorial steam open days in August to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in the Far East.
Powergen has donated a 37 ton diesel hydraulic shunting locomotive which was built in 1957 and spent its operating life at the now redundant Castle Donington power station, Leicestershire.
And Nuclear Electric has handed over a 1962 vintage 35 ton diesel mechanical shunting loco which spent its working life at the company’s Hartlepool power station.
The loco’s engine is missing but the museum hopes to fit it with a new power plant salvaged from an identical machine acquired some time ago from Castle Cement, Ketton.
50 years ago
It was a night of giving and receiving for Stamford and District Spastics Society at their annual meeting, at which the president (the Earl of Ancaster) presented a cheque for £100 to Major Robert Pedder, headmaster of the Wilfred Pickles School for Spastics at Tixover Grange.
The money will go towards providing a covered way from the school’s new swimming pool to the gymnasium.
Lord Ancaster also received a cheque for £30, presented to the society by Mr. T. O. Russell, chairman of the society’s cricket competition.
The competition is held annually, and the cheque was the twelfth to be presented to the society by Mr Russell.
Thanking the society for the £100 cheque, Major Pedder said: “Some time ago we decided there was a need for a swimming pool at the school.
“We launched an appeal to raise the necessary money and raised about £3,500. The swimming pool has been in use for the whole of this term.”
Although parish councils in Kesteven have been exhorted and encouraged to make a special effort to improve their environment as a contribution to European Conservation Year very few seem to have made the effort, said the Earl of Ancaster, on Friday.
In his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Kesteven Association of Parish Councils at the Hougham and Marston Village Hall, Lord Ancaster said: “Out of the 41 parish councils which entered this year’s best-kept village competition only 14 had a special project.
“Some of these special efforts were really excellent and imaginative.
“At Scopwick and Kirkby Green for example a dam is being built and the water in the beck is being analysed for pollution and re-stocking with fish.
“Tree planting schemes have been started at Denton and Boothby Graffoe and posts are being erected around the village green at Rippingale.
“Some small, but real, effort by each parish council would help to contribute to the overall effort by government – both national and local – and by the many voluntary organisations.”
Bourne urban councillors, on Tuesday, looked well into the future of Bourne street market, and alternative schemes for its development were put forward to Council.
First, an estates committee recommendation to purchase Wherry’s and Judge’s properties in North Street, was accepted by the council. Now, the district valuer will be asked to negotiate and submit a confidential report on his findings.
Broadly, if this scheme is adopted, a large warehouse at the back of the premises will be converted into a covered market, and a turning-space and access.
A second scheme, prepared by Couns Percy Wilson and Terry Bates, would preserve the open market by shutting it off to vehicular traffic.
100 years ago
Stamford and Rutland Infirmary – week ending July 13th, 1920. Admissions and discharge of patients: In – admitted 3, discharged 10, in house 29; out-patients made in-patients 1, admitted 12, discharged 5, on books 45. Medical attendant, Dr. Greenwood; weekly board, Mr. R. W. Dodman, Mrs. Crichton-Maitland, Mr. E. Clark and Mr. T. P. Greenwood. Acknowledged with thanks; St. George’s Church, £3 9s. 7d.; Miss Hinch (donation), £2; Miss Duddin, 10s.; Mr. Vinter, potatoes.
A large number of school children were taken by special train to Hunstanton for their annual treat on Thursday (July 15). This is the first time since 1914 that the scholars have been able to enjoy such a long train ride and a good day at the seaside.
Sunday Music – The charming grounds of Rock House, by kind permission of the ex-Mayor (Ald. W. E. Martin) and Mrs. Martin, were thrown open on Sunday afternoon and evening, when the Stamford Military Band (conductor Mr. W. Ginns) gave two excellent concerts which delighted the huge crowds present. The grounds, despite the recent rains, looked in fine condition, and were generally admired. About 700 persons congregated in the afternoon, and in the evening upwards of 1000 attended, with the result that what is believed a record gate was established, the total amount of receipts being £10 15s. 8d. for the band
funds.
House Decorators on Strike – A week’s notice given by a number of employees of the various house painters and decorators terminated on Saturday. The contention of the men is that they should be paid five pence per hour more than their present rate of 1s. 9½d. In accordance with the award of Midland Area Joint Board, which became operative on May 29. It is pointed out that the builders are honouring the award to their painters, and that the present rate of payment to journeymen house painters and decorators,who are classed as skilled hands, is two pence per hour less than that for builders’ labourers (1s. 11½d. per hour).
Bourne Board of Guardians – The Rev. J. Carvath presided at the fortnightly meeting when a letter was read from the Ministry of Health approving of the increase of salaries to the relieving officers, and Mrs. Hancock, the other increases proposed not requiring the sanction of the Ministry. The Board accepted Mr. Holland’s offer to supply meat at current prices. The House Committee had discussed the re-opening of the casual ward, but decided to defer the matter for the present. The Committee recommended that the thanks of the Board be accorded the Church and Baptist Sunday schools for inviting the children to their respective treats. The Clerk reported that a person had been admitted to the house, who was found possessed of a gold watch, a pair of silver salt cellars, and £13 odd in cash. The Board discussed their attitude in the event of the person being discharged. The Clerk reported that Mr. Adamson, one of the relieving officers for the Bourne and Aslackby district, had an accident on his rounds last week, which delayed the relief being paid to some of the recipients by a day. Mr. Sneath raised the question of the hedge in Union-road being cut, as it overhung the pathway. The Clerk said he would have it seen to.
150 years ago
On Monday a little boy about 4 years old, a son of Joshua Wardle, of the Foundry Arms beer-shop, fell in the mill dam at Hudds Mills, and his twin brother calling and a labourer named Thrift, doing repairs at the mills, went and found him head downwards in the water. With a plank he got him out, apparently dead, but the child shortly
recovered.
In connection with the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, Gilbert Christian, pupil teacher at St. Michael’s School, Stamford, has gained the distinction of a prize (in addition to a certificate) for geometrical drawings.
St. George’s Charities – A communication has been received from the Charity Commissioners recommending that the £30 a year bequeathed by Capt. H. Orme to St. George’s parish, Stamford, should be distributed in sums of £10 each to three widows as heretofore, but appointing the same persons year after year; by which means three respectable aged women (not of the pauper class) might be effectually relieved, and perhaps rescued from pauperism. In the matter of Chirme’s, Brocklesby’s, and Cust’s charities, the Commissioners recommended the appointment of other trustees in addition to the Rector and churchwardens for the time being, and that the proceeds of the said charities be applied to the benefit of St. George’s clothing and coal club, at a rate not exceeding 3d. in the shilling on the amount of the deposits. The Rector and churchwardens in the last distribution anticipated this decision of the Commissioners by discontinuing the doles of bread and meat, and applying the proceeds of the charity partly to the clothing and coal club, and partly to money payments to poor widows, and to the sick and aged, and disabled poor. The desirableness of so doing was in the succeeding Easter vestry affirmed by the parishioners.
Accidents – On Friday last Abraham Hough, whilst shifting a strap at a water saw-mill at Mr. Wingfield’s, at Tickencote, got his right thumb caught by the teeth of the saw, and it was sawn off. The same day Frederick Underwood, employed with a ballast train on the Midland railway between Whissendine and Saxby, was trying to get upon one of the trucks while in motion, when he slipped, and a wheel passed over his left foot, smashing it completely. It was afterwards amputated at the ankle. On Tuesday Chas. Waterfield, a married man living at Stamford, was engaged with other workmen taking off an old roof at the Bell public-house, Collyweston, when 14 feet of a tall chimney suddenly fell with a crash: the bricks went through a bed-room floor and into the bar below. Waterfield, who was on the floor of the bed-room, was struck on the head, whereby an artery at the top of the scalp was severed. He was conveyed bleeding to Stamford. A fellow-workman had a narrow escape; and the landlady had the moment before the fall turned from the bar, in which, singularly enough, only two glasses and a jug were broken. All three cases were admitted into the Stamford Infirmary, and all are progressing
favourably.
200 years ago
Stamford, July 13th, 1820.
To be Sold by Auction,
By Messrs. Andrews, Hilliam, and Co.,
On Friday,July 29th, between the hours of Five and Seven, unless previously disposed of by private contract,
All those Six Freehold Tenements or Dwelling-houses, with the Yard and Out-buildings therelonging, situate and being in Scotgate, in Stamford aforesaid, now in the several tenures of Robert Andrews, John Tomlin, William Poulson, Robert Maydwell, and George Peak; the yearly rents whereof amount to Twenty-five Pounds.
And also all those Six Freehold Tenements or Dwelling-houses, with the Yard and Out-buildings to the same respectively belonging, situate and being in a place called Saint Peter’s-hill, in Stamford aforesaid, now in the occupations of ---- Bond, ---- Clapton, John Coy, Francis Coy, and John Morris. The yearly rents amount to Eighteen Pounds Fourteen Shillings.
l Mr Thos. Law’s Affairs,
All persons having any claim or demands on the estate and effects of Thomas Law, late of King’s Cliffe, in the county of Northampton. Gentleman, deceased, are requested to send the particulars thereof to Mrs. Law, of King’s Cliffe aforesaid, widow, or to Mr. T. H. Jackson, attorney at law, Stamford, in order that the same may be discharged: and all persons who stood indebted to the said Thomas Law at the time of his decease, are requested to pay the amount of their respective debts to the said Mrs. Law, or to the said T. H. Jackson, without delay.
By order T. H. Jackson.
Stamford, 27th June, 1820.
l An inquest was held at Bourn, on Friday the 7th inst., by Mr. Edwards, coroner, on the body of a child named William Topham, a year and a half old, whose death was occasioned by his drinking boiling water out of a tea-kettle that stood upon the hob of the fire-grate. Verdict, scalded to death by accident. And an inquest was held at Morton last week, by the same coroner, on the body of a child named Thos. Scott, aged 3 years, who being left by his mother in a room where there was a wood fire upon the hearth, fell backwards on the burning embers, and was so much burnt that he died in a few hours. Verdict accordingly.
l The remains of the Right Hon, Lord Gwydir, having been removed from Brighton in grand funeral possession, passed through Peterborough on Tuesday, and rested that night at the New Inn, Market Deeping. On Wednesday morning the procession moved on to Grimsthorpe Castle: it consisted of a hearse and six, four mourning coaches and six, the deceased Lord’s private carriage, and numerous out-riders. The body lay in state yesterday at Grimsthorpe, and we understand will be deposited this day in the family vault at Edenham.
l Committed to Spalding gaol, on Monday, (by the Rev. Maurice Johnson, D.D.). a stranger, charged on suspicion of a rape on the wife of G. Andrew, bricklayer, of that place; - also, a person charged on suspicion of stealing a horse, the property of Mr. Thomas Woods, of Holbeach Marsh.