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

July 6, 2012

Residents of a historic manor house have set up a website outlining their concerns over plans for two wind turbines near their home.

Nicholas Watts, of Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas, has applied to South Kesteven District Council to build two 130ft turbines on his land between Uffington and Tallington.

Residents of Casewick Hall, which lies less than half a mile away from the proposed site, have raised a number of concerns about the application and have set up www.casewickwindfarm.com to explain them.

The Grade I listed property, which was built in the 1600s, was split into 12 separate homes in the 1970s. Joanna Coulton and her husband Tim are one of the families living there.

Mrs Coulton said: “It is very worrying. I understand the need for renewable energy but we also need to protect historic buildings.

“The turbines are going to be about 2,060ft from a Grade I listed building. It is a really important historic building and it is going to spoil the views of it.”

Mr Watts said the two proposed turbines near Tallington would be smaller than those on his farm in Deeping St Nicholas and would not cause any problems from noise.”

Children waved their Union Jacks when the Countess of Wessex came to their school.

The countess went to Wittering Primary School, where three quarters of its 256 pupils are the children of servicemen and women, after visiting RAF Wittering.

The countess was welcomed by headteacher Rhys Thrower and chairman of governors Steven Cartwright. She was presented with a posy of flowers by Laura Spears, 11, and signed the visitor book, guided by Thomas Purchase, 11.

The children were chosen because they are joint chairmen of the school council.

“I was very nervous but excited,” said Laura. “She asked me if it was my last year and which secondary school I was going to.”

The countess visited several areas of the school including the children’s centre, the hall, several classrooms, an outdoor activity area and a sensory area for children with special needs.

Her final post of call was Wittering Community Centre where she saw the facilities on offer and met various youth organisations and community groups, volunteers and welfare personnel.

A report has raised concerns about how funding cuts have impacted on policing in Lincolnshire.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, known as HMIC, released a report on Monday which said the Lincolnshire force was one of three which were at risk of not being able to provide a “sufficiently efficient or effective service”.

The other two forces it has concerns about are the Metropolitan Police and the Devon and Cornwall force. In a statement Lincolnshire Police said it “welcomed” the report.

The statement said: “We are considering the rich contextual information it now provides that enable us to look at the Lincolnshire position alongside other forces.”

25 years ago

July 4, 1997

The Rutland panther has been spotted five times in a week in and around Barleythorpe.

Sightings were reported at various times between June 15 and 20.

Two nursing staff saw it early in the morning walking through the grounds of Barleythorpe Hall.

And late at night taxi driver Colin Peters saw a large cat-like animal”amble” across the road in front of him.

The beast was also seen by a horse-rider on the gated road to Barleythorpe and a man walking his dog in the same area.

A woman delivering papers saw a panther in a field next to the level crossing between Ashwell and Whissendine.

Evidence of the sightings has been collected by the newly-formed Leicestershire and Rutland Panther Sighting Investigation Group.

Helping to collate information is David Spencer.

He said: “Over more than four years several hundred reliable witnesses have reported seeing a large black cat-like creature. The descriptions of its appearance and actions together build up a picture of a puma or panther-type big cat with a tail as long as its body.”

Police are urging motorists to be careful on the wet roads, after a spate of accidents in the Bourne area.

A total of 10 vehicles were involved in three separate accidents on the A6121 and A15 between Thursday and Monday, and three drivers involved required hospital treatment.

Sgt Karen Wilson of Bourne police said: “We cannot assume that the heavy rain contributed to these accidents, but drivers should always be cautious when driving on wet road surfaces.

“After dry periods roads can become very slippery after rain, and standing water on rural roads can also be a problem. Motorists should be careful and slow down.”

The threat of redundancy is again hanging over workers at Mirrlees Blackstone in Stamford.

Company spokesman John Veasey said: “There is a proposed reduction of 250 jobs. Some losses are expected in engineering at Stamford, although the bulk of the cuts will be at the firm’s Stockport factory.

“The number of losses at Stamford hasn’t been decided yet, but the percentage in relation to the total losses will be extremely low.

“The Stamford foundry will not be affected,

“We have had low orders for several months and an anticipated increase in orders has not materialised.”

He said the company’s competitiveness overseas had been hampered by the strength of the pound.

Mr Veasey added: “Anyone’s job is important, but Stamford shouldn’t be too badly affected.

“One of the reasons GEC Alsthom Diesels bought the company was because of the facilities in Stamford.”

Mirrlees Blackstone employs 1,100 people worldwide, and sales of its medium speed engines are worth £84 million.

Rumours over the future of the Ryhall Road factory have been rife since last summer, when its parent company BTR Ltd announced its intention to sell off some of its smaller subsidiaries.

Large-scale redundancies occurred when the factory was taken over by BTR in when the workforce was almost 500-strong.

The firm was sold to GEC Alsthom Diesels in May and now has 215 employees in Stamford.

It was once the town’s largest employer, and a number of its former buildings have been demolished to make way for a 13-acre business park.

A union spokesman as unavailable for comment.

50 years ago

July 7, 1972

Stamford’s 1972 Arts Festival, which ended on Saturday, attracted large numbers of local and foreign visitors during its three-week run.

“I think it has been very successful,” said Mrs M. McCormick, secretary of the Arts Centre Committee, this week.

“But of course I can’t tell you anything about the financial results yet, and we have had to be self-supporting this year.”

Mrs McCormick added that the Lincolnshire Association was only able to back the Festival every other year, and this year it had to ‘stand on its own feet’,

“But ‘Richard III’ had wonderful audiences and the last two nights we had to put extra chairs out at the front.

“I understand the Welland School of Dancing’s display was packed out, and the Doncaster Wheatsheaf Girls Choir and the Town’s Prize Silver Band’s concert also went down very well.”

Magic is in the air at Haconby’s Red Lion pub... all because of a beer bottle.

For the empty half-pint brown ale bottle has been hugging the wall in the public bar for three weeks.

Nothing unusual... except that there seems to be nothing in the world that is keeping it there. The bottle is just suspended against the wall.

It all started when Red Lion regular Mr John Christian, of Dunsby, rubbed the bottle against his jacket and put it against the wallpaper.

Few were surprised at first – for it is known that rubbing glass and cloth creates a sort of electrical magnetism.

But now three weeks later, pub landlady Mrs Helen Burr says: “It’s amazing. I never thought the bottle could possibly stay there that long.

“Our customers have been amazed. They keep asking John to do it again and prove it is no fluke.

Six thousand years of history in local villages is in danger of vanishing forever under Greater Peterborough expansion scheme.

The new city’s expansion area covers one of the richest archaeological areas in Britain - the Nene Valley.

Roman industries flourished – iron-working at Yarwell, stone-quarrying at Sibson, famous potteries at Castor.

And the whole Nene Valley area was worked during the New Stone Age, and the Bronze and Iron Ages.

A massive effort is being made to excavate, record, and preserve the area’s past.

100 years ago

July 7, 1922

School Governorship – Commander Crichton-Maitland, of Ketton, has been appointed by the Governors of the Stamford Endowed Schools, a co-operative member of that body, in the place of Mr. W. E. Martin, resigned. The appointment is for five years.

Wages Reduced – At a meeting of the Stamford Burial Joint Committee on Tuesday evening, the wages of two of the cemetery workers were reduced to bring them on the same wages basis as ordinary labourers. The Clerk (Mr. C. Atter) reported that during the quarter ended June 30th there were 32 interments as against 31 in the corresponding quarter of last year.

Trip To The Sea – Members of the Congregational Women’s Guild journeyed to Hunstanton by charabanc on Tuesday for their annual outing. Tea was served in the schoolroom attached to the local church and the enjoyment of the day was considerably enhanced by the kind offices of a prominent member of the Stamford church who was staying at the resort.

The Council’s Example – In binding over five Stamford boys at a children’s court on Wednesday for damaging property belonging to the Corporation. Mr. Chas. Gray, who was accompanied on the Bench by Mr. R. Tidd, told Mr. C. Atter, who appeared for the Town Council, that the justices quite agreed with the Corporation in bringing the cases forward. It would be a great help for private individuals who were reluctant to prosecute in such cases. “It is one of the best things the Corporation has done for a long time,” he added. Four of the boys were charged with damaging trees in the Recreation Ground, and one with a like offence on Ryhall-road. P.s. Would and P.c. Hardaker were the police officers concerned. The amount of the damage in the first case was put at 2s 6d. and in the second at 10s.

An accident, which, had it occurred later in the day, would have probably had fatal results, took place about 8 a.m. on Friday.

An Air Force lorry, in charge of Flying Officer Mullet, laden with bombs, was proceeding from Farnborough to Spittlegate Aerodrome, Grantham, and, in turning from St. Mary’s-street into St. John’s-street, met an approaching car. To avoid a collision the driver of the lorry turned sharp to the left and ran into the shops of Messrs. Andrews, grocers, and Hinson, photographer. Part of the front of Mr. Andrew’s shop was stripped and the whole of one window of the adjoining premises was demolished, considerable heavy masonry being dislodged. A few minutes before the occurrence a number of men, awaiting admission to business premises, were looking into the shop windows, and being market day, had the mishap taken place at a later hour, undoubtedly many people would have been on the pathway at the time.

Of course there was no danger of the explosion of the bombs, as these deadly instruments are never removed in a condition which is technically known as “detonated”.

150 years ago

July 5, 1872

A special meeting of the Board of Guardians was held on Friday last to consider a suggestion by the medical officer of the Deeping district that a temporary hospital be provided at West Deeping for the reception of small-pox patients, four cases having occurred in that village. Mr. Kelly thought there should be accommodation for 14 beds; and it was urged that if provision were made to that extent, the hospital, if erected, should be available for small-pox patients from other parishes. To this the Guardian for West Deeping demurred, and was supported in his objection by others; and eventually, after an hour’s discussion, authority was given to the parish officers to rent a house which is slightly isolated, in West Deeping, and appropriate it for the use of any new small-pox patients.

A quarterly meeting of the Stamford Burial Board as held on Monday last, at which were present Messrs. Fysh (chairman), Bromhead, Paradise, Michelson, Healy, Dent, E. F. Young, Dinniss, and the Rev. B. O. Bendall. One of the drawings of a monument and another of a headstone submitted for approval gave rise to a discussion, the monument being higher and the headstone wider than the rules permit. It was determined to refer the subject to the General Purposes Committee, who were requested to report whether in their opinion it would be desirable to alter the rules relating to gravestones. The clerk produced the following return of burials: From 1st April to June 30, 1872, 38, corresponding quarter in 1871, 21. From April to June, 1870, there were 49 interments.

The inclosure and levelling of the recreation ground for Stamford was the principal topic discussed at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee on Tuesday evening. It was agreed to recommend that a six-feet wall be erected, and that doors of access be fixed on the north, east, and south sides. A plan by the valuer, since received, suggests a wall on the eastern boundary, and a quick fence on the northern boundary; the main entrance with gates to be from the south, and inlets at the west, north, and east.

The children attending St. Michael’s schools, Stamford, had their annual summer treat on Tuesday last. The scholars with their teachers and friends, to the number of about 280, were conveyed by train to Belmisthorpe, where they indulged themselves in various games and pastimes, and partook of tea, &c., in a field kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. J. Lowe. The little ones returned home about 10 o’clock, much pleased with their day’s outing.

Bourn – It has been arranged that the tradesmen’s shops in Bourn will be closed at 7 o’clock in the evening (Saturdays excepted) throughout the year, to commence on Monday, 15th July; and the public are invited to assist in promoting the success of the undertaking by making their purchases early.

A ball was given on the 27th ult., at the Hall, Wytham-on-the-Hill, by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, to the tenantry and neighbouring farmers, to celebrate the birth of a son and heir. Dancing commenced at 9 o’clock, and was kept up with much spirit until daylight. Nothing could exceed the kindness and liberality of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and a most enjoyable night was spent. On Monday last the school children were regaled with tea in front of the hall, after which all sorts of games, and they were dismissed with presents.

200 years ago

July 5, 1822

The London Gazette notices the grant of the royal licence to Robert S, Hurst, Esq. of Stamford, to use the surname of Whitworth, agreeably to the will of his great uncle, the Rev. Archdeacon Whitworth, deceased, and on the usual conditions of entry in the Herald’s College, &c.

To those concerned in the race last week for the Hunters’ Stakes at Stamford, it may be important to know that, upon an appeal, the case has been transmitted, by the Stewards, for the ultimate decision of the Jockey Club. We hear that the owner of Golden Cleaver has challenged Forester to run the race over again for 500gs. Golden Cleaver, from some cause yet unknown, was, on the day of the race, most unfit to start. The matter upon which the Jockey Club are called to decide is a charge of foul riding against the owner of Forester.

We request the attention of the public to a subscription which is begun for John Tyers, the robbery of whose cottage about a month ago, as our readers will recollect, was accompanied with many melancholy circumstances. A munificent donation from Earl Fitzwilliam has been received. We understand, upwards of £40 has been collected.

On Whit Sunday the church at Carlby, greatly injured by lightning about a year ago, was re-opened for divine service, after undergoing a thorough repair, and the re-building of the chancel. An appropriate sermon was delivered by the Rector, the Rev. Thos. Toller Hurst, A. M., from Deuteronomy 16, 10: “And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a free will-offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.” And on Sunday last a most striking and pathetic discourse was delivered in the above church, from Psalm 18, 13: “The Lord also thundered out of Heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder: hailstones, and coals of fire.”

Early on Thursday morning the 27th ult. a cart loaded with 37 gallons of gin, 160 lbs. of tobacco, and two silk handkerchiefs, was seized by two Custom-house officers as it was passing through Boston. The goods were conveyed to the Custom-house, and the smuggler to gaol: his name is William Norton.

On Monday last an inquest was held at the Earl Fitzwilliam’s Arms at Castor, by Mr. Hopkinson, coroner for the soke of Peterborough, upon the body of Eliz. Bate, a fine infant aged 15 months, the daughter of Mr. Bate, farmer, of that place, who on the preceding evening had been drowned in a most extraordinary way. The infant, unperceived, had crept into the garden, and tumbled headlong into a small tub set to catch rain-water. Within five minutes after the infant had wandered out of the house, the distracted mother found her suffocated, the little innocent having fallen on her face over the side of the low tub, in which there actually was not water enough to cover her head. Verdict, accidentally drowned.