The Stamford Mercury Archive looks back to what was in the news this week
10 years ago
October 12, 2012
There were shockwaves around Stamford this week when it was revealed that plans for a new skatepark could be rejected.
South Kesteven District Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss the application to build a new concrete bowl park on the Recreation Ground – and planning officers are recommending councillors turn it down because of concerns about noise.
The plans have been submitted by Stamford Town Council, whose members unanimously support it on behalf of Stamford Skatepark Committee.
Since the old skatepark was removed in 2008 the committee has raised £150,000 to fund a new facility.
After it found out about the council officers’ recommendation it organised a protest march on Sunday. About 250 people of all ages took to the streets of the town centre to show their support.
Residents have been urged to stay vigilant after three Stamford homes were broken into within hours of each other.
Cash was taken from a house in Willow Road between 5.45pm and 7pm on Friday last week. Jewellery was stolen from a home in Fife Close between 7.45pm and 10.30pm and jewellery and cash were taken from a house in Oak Road between 4.45pm and 10.30pm that same evening.
Sector inspector for Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings, Mike Burnett, said the three burglaries were almost certainly linked and asked residents to report any suspicious vehicles or people in their neighbourhood.
He said: “We have had some positive spot checks in that area and lots of engagement with the public but we need this to continue.
“If you go out, please draw the curtains front and back and leave lights on even if it is daytime. Try and make it look as if someone is in the house.
“Beware of cold callers as well. Phone these in because they may be knocking on doors to see if people are in or out.
“We are working very hard to tackle this problem.”
Preparations are ongoing for this year’s One World Week celebrations in Stamford.
The Stamford Fairtrade Steering Group will run the week, which has a theme of “moving towards one world”.
The week will start with an evening reception with a talk called Making Fashion Fair by Anna McMullen. Anna is a workers’ rights activist for the anti-sweatshop campaign group Labour Behind the Label.
The talk will be held on Monday, October 22, at 6.30pm in the Gallery at Stamford Arts Centre.
There will be events in the Gallery at the Arts Centre, running until Saturday, October 27. Photographs, stalls and a multimedia exhibition, will demonstrate how local and national groups are “moving towards one world”. There will also be a film screening.
There will also be a competition for models using only natural materials with four categories, which are animals, people, machines or a scene and can be entered in 2D or 3D, and there will be winners in various age groups.
The judge will be Erica Burt of St Leonard’s Street, a member of the Steering Group and author of a book about model making with natural materials.
25 years ago
October 10, 1997
Stamford’s housing market is booming according to town estate agents.
Official figures released by the Halifax Building Society last week claim there has been little change in UK house prices, with prices increasing by 0.2 per cent in September.
According to Stamford estate agent Paul Johnson, however, business is going very well.
He explained: “The market is very quick at the moment and demand is very strong even though seasonally things should now be slowing down.
“Business is actually up on last year by about 10-15 per cent, which is quite a significant jump.”
The local housing market picked up in April and shows no sign of slowing down, with houses in all price ranges selling well.
Fellow estate agent Mike Ingrey, a partner at Knight Goodwin, agrees. He said: “The market is very active indeed, and we are getting some good prices. The amount of activity, along with the price increases I have seen, is actually quite surprising – it’s almost a mini-boom.”
People in Stamford and the Deepings are being warned to be on the lookout for bogus charity workers claiming to raise money for the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance.
The popularity of the Air Ambulance appeal is proving a boon to conmen who are approaching members of the public for money.
The charity says they could be on the move and is warning Mercury readers to beware of unofficial collectors.
Charity director Jean Burton said: “We have received calls from a number of people checking the validity of these collections, and we are very concerned because we don’t know anything about them.
“It’s extremely difficult to stop these people, and we have to rely on the general public being vigilant.”
Air Ambulance car stickers are being offered to householders at 30p – sales have not been sanctioned by the charity, and it does not know the organisers.
Another unsanctioned scheme involves the selling of unofficial charity pins in pubs – no money has been received to date.
A third scheme is the selling of roses to customers in pubs.
Mrs Burton said: “It’s a sad fact that unscrupulous people use charities to line their own pockets. To prevent them from profiting from their actions people should ask for their ID or letter of authority, or contact the office to check we know about it.”
Stamford Antiques Centre could be forced out of its current premises because of a “substantial increase” in rent.
The antiques centre has leased the Exchange Hall, Broad Street, from the Corn Exchange Company since 1990, and renewed the lease for another six years in February 1996.
Kathy Turner, who runs the centre, which is used by several dealers, is looking for alternative premises in the town.
The hall is used by Stamford Pantomime Players and Stamford Amateur Musical Society and the Panto Players want to turn the hall into a full-time theatre/concert hall, with the help of Lottery cash.
But the proposals cannot go ahead until the antiques centre, the legal lease-holder until 2002, has moved out of the hall.
Mrs Turner said: “The Corn Exchange Company has told us through their solicitor that there will be a substantial increase in rent, and we would have to vacate the hall three weeks a year instead of two.”
50 years ago
October 13, 1972
A scheme by BXL Cascelloid to build a 15,000 sq ft factory extension in the grounds of Torkington House, St Peter’s Street, Stamford, was the subject of a planning appeal at Stamford Town Hall, on Tuesday.
It was heard by Mr A. D. Hawkins, an inspector for the Department of the Environment.
Counsel for BXL Cascelloid, Mr Ian Davidson, said that the company already operated on both sides of West Street, Stamford.
Also on the south side was Torkington House, a property which had once been used by the company as a canteen and training centre.
Torkington House fronted on to St Peter’s Street, and the appeal site, said Mr Davidson, was a large part of the gardens to the house, now used as a private residence.
The company’s application for the extension, made in January this year, was turned down, first by Stamford Borough Council, and then by Kesteven County Council.
But, said Mr Davidson, a previous application to erect industrial buildings on the appeal site had been given approval in 1957, though the development had never been undertaken.
Litter bugs beware... the children of Barnack are on your trail.
Youngsters in the village will stage an hour-long tidy-up operation at the Hills and Holes beauty spot.
And just to make it more interesting the clean up campaign on October 29 will be made into a competition to see who can collect most garbage. Prize is 50p.
It is all the idea of the Barnack and District Youth Club.
Said secretary Mr Allan Crowson: “We are fed up with weekend visitors who leave the Hills and Holes like a rubbish tip.
“So we thought this was the best way to clear it – and we’ll use the rubbish for our bonfire on November 4.”
Stamford and Oakham stations would close if suggestions in a shock report on Britain’s railways gets the go-ahead.
The stations would be axed under a recommendation to shut down the Peterborough-Leicester service.
Latest figures show the line needs £97,000 worth of Government aid each year.
The report on the railways, prepared by the Department of the Environment and leaked to a Sunday newspaper this week, is one of a number being prepared to form a basis for a Government decision next year.
Environment Minister Mr Peter Walker has said it would be absurd to link the document with what will eventually be decided.
But Stamford’s Mayor, Coun Alex Brodie, this week bitterly attacked any move to shut the Leicester-Peterborough line.
He said: “If they are thinking of closing that line, they want their heads examined.
“Lots of people without cars rely on the trains to get to Peterborough or Leicester and Birmingham.
“A spokesman for British Rail said: “If the proposals in that report are approved, it would mean the end of Stamford and Oakham stations.
“I would not think a shuttle service between Stamford and Peterborough would be continued because of the cost.”
100 years ago
October 13, 1922
Municipal Elections – The Stamford Town councillors whose periods of office expire this year are: St. Mary’s Ward. Couns. A. S. Hollis and L. Jones; All Saints’ Ward, Couns. Holmes, Cornwall and H. Kelham; St. George’s Ward, Couns. Frank Carter and J. W. Pepper. It is rumoured that the Labour party intend to contest each seat.
Stamford Harvest Festivals – St. Mary’s harvest festival services commenced on Thursday, when the preacher was the Rev. Canon Grinter (Vicar of Bourne). On Sunday, the morning sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon Moore, warden of Browne’s Hospital, and the evening service was conducted by the Rector (Rev. T. H. Bailey). At St. George’s church on Sunday, the Vicar (the Rev. S. H. Wenham) conducted the harvest festival services. The opening service was conducted on Friday evening by the Rev. A. L. Richards, Tallington. There was a plentiful supply of fruit and vegetables, and the collections created a record for these services.
Shopping Week – In view of the unqualified success attending the shopping week last year, the Stamford Tradesmen’s Association on Friday unanimously decided to hold another this year, from Wednesday, Dec. 6th to Saturday, Dec. 15th. The president (Mr. G. E. Higgs) gave expression to appreciation of the services of Mr. H. F. Traylen and Mr. J. E. C. Potter in connection with the scheme for commemorating local historic sites, and alluded in sympathetic terms to the death of Mr. T. Sandall, with whom the scheme originated.
A Runaway – When turning a horse and cart round in Queen’s-walk, Stamford, on Saturday morning, Mr. Albert Gutteridge, the owner, was pinned under the cart, which overturned. He sustained injuries to the head and legs, but fortunately not serious. The shafts broke away from the cart, ad the horse set off down the road and proceeded as far as Tinwell before being pulled up.
Footballer Injured – Whilst playing at Rushden on Saturday, “Teddy” Tye, Stamford Town’s left back and player-manager, after attempting to head the ball fell, and one of the Rushden players falling across him, he sustained fracture of several ribs. He was taken to his home at Rothwell, where, we understand, he is progressing satisfactorily ,but of course he will not be available for the Town for some lengthy period.
Bourne
An Octogenarian’s Death – Dr. Greenwood held an inquest at Well Head House on Tuesday, touching the death of William Durham, who died in the institution on Sunday at the aged of 84. Deceased had lived with his daughter, Mrs. Fred Christian, at Pointon cottages, and had been confined to his bed practically since the beginning of the year, but in June when getting out of bed, he slipped and broke his thigh. Dr Galletly held the view that the fracture had little or nothing to do with death. Alice Norman, night nurse, having spoken as to deceased’s condition, the Coroner returned a verdict of “death from natural causes.”
150 years ago
October 11, 1872
The Mayor has convened a public meeting at the Town-hall, Stamford, to-morrow (Friday), in compliance with a numerously signed requisition, to consider the propriety of asking the Council of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society to hold the society’s anniversary and show of 1874 at Stamford. The requisition contains the names of the principal agriculturalists of the vicinity, as well as those of the leading inhabitants and tradesmen of this town.
Stamford and Rutland Infirmary – New subscriber: Parish of Morcott, £3 3s. Collections: Stibbington church £4 18s. 2d.; Clipsham church, £2 10s. 7d.
On Sunday last collections were made at St George’s church, Stamford, on behalf of the funds of the Stamford Infirmary, when the sum of £35s. 3d. was contributed.
Thanksgiving services for the late harvest were held at Barnack on Sunday last. The proceeds of the offertory at both services, amounting to £8 5s., will be applied to the formation of a fund for the reparation of the roof of the parish church.
On Sunday harvest thanksgiving services were held in the recently restored parish church of Whittering, which was chastely decorated for the occasion. The sermon in the morning was preached by the Rector, and in the evening by the Eev. W. Murton, Vicar of Sutton. The offertory, amounting to £5 2s., is appropriated to a fund for obtaining a small organ or harmonium for the church.
The fourth meeting of the Stamford and Peterborough Association of Elementary Teachers was held in St. George’s school-room on Saturday last. Four new members were elected. The offer of the Rev. C. Daymond, principal of Peterborough Training College, to lend his school-room for the next meeting was accepted. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to join “The National Union of Elementary Teachers.” The association now numbers 35 members.
Municipal Registration – On the 3d. Inst. The Mayor and assessors held a court at the Town-hall, Stamford, for revising the burgess list of the borough; but as there were no claims or objections to adjudicate upon, the business was of a formal nature only. The number of voters upon the burgess roll in All Saints’ ward is 881, of whom 121 are females; and in St. Mary’s ward, 489, including 55 females.
The Three Tuns public house, St Leonard’s-street, Stamford, was offered for sale by auction, by Messrs. Richardson, on Wednesday evening, at the George Hotel. The biddings reached £520, but the property was not sold, the reserve price being
£650.
The sale of manure and soil collected by the Local Board has not at present answered the calculations of the Sanitary Committee. About 500 tons which had been deposited at Hudd’s Mills were sold by auction on Wednesday, and realised £65 10s 6d. It was estimated at the time the operations of the Local Board commenced that the refuse would produce from £300 to £400 per annum.
A man named Charles Heavy, who said he came from Sheffield, was on Wednesday at the police-station, before the Mayor and Mr. Paradise, charged with larceny in the shop of Mr. Johnson, and remanded to the petty sessions.
200 years ago
October 11, 1822
The Holland Yeomanry have been on duty here since Saturday last. This evening (Friday), in compliment to the troops a ball takes place at the Assembly-rooms; Major Tunnard, the Mayor, and several gentlemen of the town, stewards.
On Tuesday last Thomas Atterton, sawyer, and Joseph Pool, servant out of place, were committed to the gaol of this borough, on a charge of robbing Mr. Mason, farmer, of Bourn Fen, by picking from his pockets £8 and upwards, whilst he was in a state of intoxication from drink in the Nag’s Head yard in this town.
On the 30th ult., ----- Johnson was committed, (by Chesleden Henson, Esq.,) to Peterboro’ gaol, for trial at the ensuing sessions, charged with feloniously stealing divers implements, the property of R. Bickerdike, of Barnack.
On Tuesday morning, John Watts, ostler at the Still inn in Boston, was found dead in the stable, suspended in the same spot where one Jags, a corn-porter, hanged himself about two years ago. The unfortunate man was married only a few weeks since. An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday afternoon: verdict, insanity.
A correspondent from Nottinghamshire, to whom Mr. Smedley, of “the Theatre Market Deeping,” is well known, assures us that, in addition to the paragraph respecting him in our last paper, we may without flattery add, that “his conduct as the manager of a theatre is deserving of the highest commendation, and as a husband, a father, and a man, is worthy of example.”
Sudden Death – On Saturday last, Mrs. Scott, wife of Mr. Scott, gardener to ---- Oddie, Esq. of Barnwell Castle, near Oundle, went into the yard, and not returning as soon as was expected, was sought for, and found lying in a dying state: before medical assistance arrived, she expired.
Real Good Scheme,
H. Mortlock, Bookseller and Stationer, Stamford, Agent for Pidding and Co, Cornhill, London, invites the public to an examination of the present Scheme, which combines all those points which must ensure its approval. The Prizes are all Sterling – No Stock – No Classes – every number drawn singly – with plenty of Capital Prizes (treble the usual number,) and no Prize fixed, but all floating in the Wheel, and might all come up the first day. It begins drawing the 30th of October, and being a revival of good old-fashioned principals, there is no doubt of its giving satisfaction, and very probably several of the 120 Capital Prizes are now on sale as above.
Melton New Bridge – The new stone bridge over the river Eye, leading into Melton Mowbray from Leicester, being completed on Saturday last, (the first stone of which was laid by Rd. Norman, Esq. on Saturday the 1st of June,) was opened by the Duchess Dowager of Rutland, watched by a considerable number of respectable inhabitants of the town.
