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

July 13, 2012

Stamford MP Nick Boles says he is confident elderly people will understand his call to cut benefits for well-off pensioners.

Mr Boles wants benefits, such as bus passes and prescriptions, to be means tested.

He revealed his views, which include cutting winter fuel payments and loss of free television licences for wealthier over 75s, in a speech to independent think-tank the Resolution Foundation on Tuesday.

Following his speech, Mr Boles said he was confident elderly people would understand his ideas.

He said: “I represent a great many pensioners who would be classed as better off.

“No-one enjoys losing things they value, but the reality is that we have asked pupils to give up the education maintenance allowance, asked students to pay £9,000 a year in tuition fees and many many demands of all members of society.

“I am asking them to make the sacrifice on behalf of their children and grandchildren. We will make sure we are spending the money in ways that are valuable.”

The pathology lab at Stamford Hospital will close, with services moving to Peterborough City Hospital.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Trust revealed on Monday that the transfer will take place by August 31, with the service starting up in Peterborough in September.

The trust insists patients will see no change in the services they receive.

The closure follows the unveiling of a long-term strategy for Stamford Hospital, with outpatient clinics set to expand with more treatment options and the minor injuries unit to become nurse-led.

Interim chief executive Peter Reading, said: “A final decision on the transfer of the service was delayed until the main elements of the proposed clinical strategy for Stamford Hospital were finalised.

“We are confident that the provision of this service at Peterborough is consistent with future clinical services at Stamford Hospital.”

It’s set to rain fours and sixes in Stamford’s biggest ever cricket event as Herschell Gibbs has agreed to strap on his pads for the match.

The South African batsman will join a team of local players, the Dean Headley Invitation XI, who will take on the Professional Cricketers’ Association England Masters, featuring the like of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, David Lloyd aka Bumble, and Devon Malcolm at Stamford School on July 27.

Crowds may be forced to take cover during the Twenty20 spectacular, with master blaster Herschelle being renowned as one of the game’s big hitters.

Bowling all-rounder Karl Green, 41, from Main Street, Belmesthorpe, who has been selected from Market Deeping Cricket Club, described the match as a “once in a lifetime experience”.

25 years ago

July 11, 1997

Langtoft Parish Council will not be objecting to a nearby quarry – despite strong opposition to the plan in neighbouring Greatford.

Representatives of Ennemix Construction Materials Ltd, the firm behind the Greatford quarry application, met representatives of Langtoft Parish Council last week.

The meeting was arranged to discuss the effect of noise, dust and traffic associated with the proposed 106-acre sand and gravel extraction scheme off King Street.

Langtoft Parish Council was informed of the outcome of the meeting and told that questions about the plan were put to the representatives by the parish council chairman and vice-chairman.

The chairman and vice-chairman were satisfied that all their concerns about noise and dust had been addressed.

After the meeting there was a visit to the firm’s existing quarry at Welland Bank, Deeping St James.

The history of a well-known Stamford employer is on display at the town museum.

The exhibition tells the story of Mirrlees Blackstone and coincides with the firm’s 160th anniversary.

On show are examples of engines and other equipment made by the firm as well as some scale models never displayed before.

The exhibition also explains the role of Mirrlees Blackstone, who at one time was one of Stamford’s largest employers.

The company began in 1837 as Henry Smith and Co at Sheep Market, and had become Smith, Ashby and Co by 1844. Its name was to change several more times.

The firm moved from premises at St Peter’s Street in 1886 to land next to the Great Northern Railway, and three years later became known as Blackstone and Co Ltd.

Museum assistant Michael Key said: “I thought it would be an appropriate time to have a Blackstone’s exhibition, because it’s 160years since the company started.

“I’ve wanted to do an exhibition on Blackstone’s for quite a while, and I’m retiring this year. As this was my last exhibition it was my last chance to organise it.”

Car parking charges are to be introduced in Oakham, the Mercury is able to reveal exclusively today.

Worsening traffic congestion, increasing pressures on car parking spaces and community support for the proposal, led Rutland councillors on Tuesday to voice their determination to make the car user pay.

The first detailed proposals on where charges would be introduced and how much they will be were presented to Rutland Council’s policy and resources committee.

Finance director Neil Taylor told members: “This has become a pressing issue because of the amount of congestion in Oakham and the volume of traffic here, particularly as the town has become the centre of the unitary authority.”

The earliest date that changes could be introduced is October.

Areas pinpointed for on street parking are High Street, Market Place and South Street. Proposals for off street charges are Brooke Road, Burley Road, Church Street, the coach park, Long Row, South Street and Westgate.

Suggested charges range from 20 pence for an hour to a weekly charge of £4.

The charging period would be between 9am-6pm each day excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The provision of residence car parking and disabled spaces is also being considered.

Statutory bodies such as the police have to be consulted and the public given three weeks in which to object before pay-parking can be introduced.

The issue could go to a public inquiry if objections cannot be resolved by the council.

50 years ago

July 14, 1972

Men always seem to “have it in” for women drivers – but they had better not pick on Mrs Diana Turner who has won her way into the semi-final of a national newspaper “woman driver of the year” competition.

Mrs Turner, of Millfield Road, Deeping St James, was entered for the competition by her husband, Peter.

“I filled in the road safety quiz form for a joke really; then my husband told me he had posted it. I continued filling in the quiz forms, and then I was notified that I had won a place in the area final to be held at Chesterfield this Saturday.

“I never expected to get anywhere really, but now if I do well this weekend I go on to the final, a special two-day rally in September, from Liverpool to London. The first prize is a brand new sports car,”, she said.

Mrs Turner has been driving since 1964 and has an accident-free record.

Stamford police appealed for public help this week in their bid to catch up with a bungalow burglar who ransacked a series of homes.

The appeal came after the mystery raider struck in Stamford for the first time, on Friday night.

He missed being caught red-handed by seconds as, the victims of the break-in, Mr and Mrs Gerald Chapman, saw him make his getaway as they arrived home.

A £60 engagement ring and £40 in cash were stolen as the thief turned out drawers and cupboards in every room of the Chapman’s bungalow in Queen’s Walk.

Homes in Sleaford, Grantham, Corby Glen and Bourne have already been hit by the burglar.

And police said this week: “The pattern is the same every time. A ground floor window is smashed to gain entry, the home is ransacked, and cash is normally taken.

“We are certain the same man is behind all these raids.”

The peace of Stamford cemetery is being threatened... there are plans for a new children’s play area in the vicinity.

Boys and girls may be allowed to play on a five-acre site next to the burial ground in Little Casterton Road.

The scheme, drawn up by Stamford Borough Council is still very much in the pipeline at present, and plans for the new recreation ground would first need to be given the go-ahead by county planners.

The play area would be to the north of the cemetery. But the intention is that this land will eventually be used as a cemetery extension.

Members of the Stamford Joint Burial Committee say they have no objection to the scheme so long as a double thick thorn hedge is put up between the cemetery and play area.

The recreation ground plan is going before Stamford Borough Council’s next meeting.

Detectives have found new information in their bid to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of King’s Cliffe man Paul Smith.

They think the car that picked Paul up only hours before he was found drowned may have been a black Austin A35.

The headlights were reported to have had an orange glow and the registration number contained the letters CNV.

100 years ago

July 14, 1922

Stamford and Rutland Infirmary – Week ending July 11th – Admissions and discharges of patients: In-patients – admitted 7, discharged 5, in house 34. Out-patients – admitted 9, discharged 3, on books 46. Medical attendant, Dr. T. P. Greenwood; Weekly Board, Mrs. Crichton-Maitland, Mrs. Martin, Mr. H. Young, Dr. T. P. Greenwood, and Dr. Hutton-Attenborough. Acknowledged with thanks: Books, Mrs. Prout, Thornhaugh; cards, Miss Humphries, Stamford; books, Mrs. Pugh, Ryhall; cloaks, Mrs. Halliwell, Wothorpe; vegetables, Mrs. Crichton-Maitland and Dr. Edwards, Empingham.

Stamford School Successes – A. M. Clark, son of Mr. E. A. Clark, of Priory-road, Stamford, has been awarded an open scholarship of £80 a year for natural science at Merton College, Oxford. W.H. Kelham,eldest son of Mr. H. Kelham, of Empingham-road, who was recently placed in the First Class of Part I. of the Law tripos at Cambridge University, has been elected to a scholarship of £50 a year at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Workhouse Chaplaincy – The Stamford Board of Guardians on Monday, the Marquess of Exeter presiding, gave permission to the chaplain (Rev. J. H. Bellhouse, Tinwell) to nominate a temporary substitute to the chapaincy on account of the Bishop of Peterborough appointing him curate-in-charge of Great Casterton church and his being unable to continuing ministering at Tinwell, Casterton, and the Workhouse. A letter asking the Guardians to become members of the National Roll for the employment of disabled ex-service men was laid on the table, it being pointed out that with so small a staff it was impossible to employ the necessary five per cent. of disabled men. It was stated that a large proportion of the staff were ex-service men.

A Dangerous Corner in Stamford – The danger of the corner of Wharf-road and the Town Bridge was again emphasised on Tuesday night, when a motor car coming into the town ran into another car emerging from Wharf-road. The front axle of the latter was broken, but fortunately no one was hurt. Both parties were strangers to the town.

Surveyor’s Salary – At the meeting of Bourne Urban Council on Tuesday Messrs. G. H. Mays, J. B. Shilcock, A. Wall, and J. T. Holmes were re-elected representatives on the Charity Trustees, and Messrs. F. E. Wherry and J. C. Ash were appointed to similar capacities in the places of Messrs. J. T. Swift and W. Castledine, who are now no longer members of the Council. Coun. T. W. Mays proposed the rescinding of the resolution of the Council so far as it related to the reduction of the salary of the Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances. The officer in question was appointed two years ago at a commencing salary of £300, and the committee who went into the question of the officers’ salaries in April recommended a reduction all round of 10 per cent. The contention of the officer in this instance is that there was no indication that his salary was subject to any fluctuation for the cost of living. Coun. F. Richardson proposed as an amendment the Council adhere to the committee’s recommendation. After discussion the amendment was carried.

150 years ago

July 12, 1872

The contest to fill the vacancy on Stamford Town Council ended in the return on Saturday last of Mr. H. T. Betts, who polled 280 votes against 200 recorded in favour of Mr. F. Riley. The election was a very peaceable one. Mr. Betts took the lead during the first hour, and gradually increased his majority to the close. Avoiding the example in some recent contests, Mr. Betts declined bell-ringing and parading in the town with shouting adherents, and the consequence was that perfect quietude prevailed during the evening.

Stamford Union – At the Board meeting on Wednesday the weekly return of paupers showed 119 inmates of the Union-house, being six less than in the corresponding week of last year, and the lowest number there has been for a long period. The out-relief paupers have also diminished, the number this week being 754, at a cost of £88 11s. 9d., against 834, at a cost of £93 4s. 1½d., in the corresponding week of last year. The committee appointed to ascertain whether the workhouse boys would be received at any of the elementary schools in Stamford reported that the managers of St. Michael’s school declined to receive them on the ground that the parents of other children would demur to the association of their children with Union boys; but that the managers of St. Martin’s school entertained the proposal in a generous spirit, and would receive the whole of the Union boys on payment of fourpence per week. It was resolved to send the boys to St. Martin’s, and to clothe them in a different style to the present.

A popular guide to Stamford and the neighbourhood, illustrated by photography, is announced to be ready shortly.

A very violent thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rain, passed over Stamford on Tuesday afternoon. The flashes of forked lightning were alarmingly vivid, and the thunder was deafening. The electric fluid struck the Cross Keys public-house in St. Mary’s-street, and the house adjoining, occupied by Mr. Tyers, dyer. Considerable damage was done to the upper part of the first-mentioned house, and the landlord and a child he had in his arms were knocked down and stunned, but fortunately neither of them was much injured: the damage to Mr. Tyers’ house was confined to the displacement of a few slates. A summer-house in Mr. Atter’s garden was also struck by lightning and damaged.

Market Deeping

The Directors of Deeping Gas Company have found it necessary, in consequence of the increased price of coal and other materials, to announce their intention to raise the price of gas from 5s. 10d. to 6s. 8d. per thousand.

Caution – An accident occurred on Tuesday last to a girl about 6 years of age, daughter of Mr. James Lake, farmer, of Deeping St. Nicholas. She placed one hand on a cake-crusher when it was being rapidly turned, and one thumb was unfortunately drawn between the cogs and fearfully mutilated.

Mr. Tom Casswell, of Pointon, had a valuable beast killed by lightning during a storm on Saturday last.

200 years ago

July 12, 1822

About 1100 young persons were confirmed in St. Mary’s church at this place on Wednesday, by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. His Lordship afterwards consecrated the ground recently added to St. Michael’s church-yard.

On Thursday afternoon the 4th inst., during a severe storm, the church of Edmonthorpe, in Leicestershire, was struck by lightning. The fane was precipitated from its situation, and the clock shattered to atoms. The parish clerk, whilst walking in the town street, had a remarkable escape from destruction: his eye-brows were singed and his face was burnt by the lightning, but he sustained no other injury.

On Tuesday last an inquest was held, at the Bell Inn, Helpstone, by Mr. Hopkinson, coroner for the soke of Peterboro’, upon view of the body of John Price, aged 12 years, in the service of Mr. Knowlton of that place, who on the preceding afternoon was killed upon the spot by the overturning of a cart, which he was driving without any reins to guide the horses. A man in the cart, named Robert Oliver, was also severely wounded and had several ribs broken; and two other lads in the cart had a narrow escape. The law cannot be too severely enforced against those persons who daily, at the peril of their own and others’ lives, are seen driving carelessly upon the public roads.

On Monday last an inquest was held at Spanby, near Falkingham, by Geo. White, coroner, on the body of John Hoyte Lockwood, son of Mr. Robert Lockwood, of that place, a promising boy about 11 years of age, who on Saturday evening was returning from the blacksmith’s shop at Osbournby on his father’s horse which had just been shod there, when he was unfortunately thrown, in such a manner that his foot hung in one of the stirrup leathers, by which he was dragged until the girths broke. He was found by his father, a short distance from the house so dreadfully bruised that he died within an hour after he had been borne home, motionless and speechless, in the arms of his afflicted parent. Verdict, accidental death.

By the new Vagrant Act, passed the 24th of last month, it is enacted, that within six weeks after the passing of the said Act, the Constable of every parish, township, and place, or Officer acting as such, shall cause to be stuck up and affixed, in clear and legible letters, and so to be kept and continued, either on the outer doors, porch, town-hall, vestry, watch-house, or other conspicuous building or place, within their respective parishes, &c., the names at full length, and the places of abode, of every Overseers of the Poor, Headborough, Constable, and Tythingman, for the time being, residing in and acting for their respective parishes, &c. Penalty for defacing such notice, ten shillings.

Theatre, Stamford.

Mr. Manly feels much pleasure in having it in his power to announce to the patrons of the Theatre, that he has engaged Mr. Harley, of the Theatre-Royal Drury-lane, to perform Three Nights. His first appearance here will be on Monday the 15th of July, when will be acted, Sheridan’s Comedy of The Rivals, or a Trip to Bath.