Hundreds of years of history from Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and Market Deeping
Stories from Christmas time in years gone by feature in this week's Mercury Memories.
Every week we take a walk down memory lane, looking at stories up to 200 years ago, thanks to the support of the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust.
10 years ago
December 28, 2012
Business leaders have hit out at councillors for giving the go-ahead to a shopping complex they say deals a “terminal blow” to town centre trade.
W M Morrison’s application to build a six unit non-food retail park next to its supermarket in Uffington Road, Stamford, was approved by South Kesteven District Council at a meeting last week.
Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce president Tim Lee and member Egerton Gilman both spoke at the meeting and questioned the weight given by planning officers to a study on the impact of the retail park.
The study suggested the park would take away 9.1 per cent of town centre trade by 2017, but said it was “unlikely to have a significant, adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Stamford town centre”.
Despite the chamber’s opposition the retail park application was approved with 11 councillors voting for and four against.
Flood waters are now starting to recede after heavy rain over the festive period led to a wet Christmas for residents across the region.
Fields flooded around the River Welland, the River Nene and the River Gwash this week as the heavens opened, causing water levels to rise.
The Environment Agency issued flood warning for the Nene valley around Yarwell, Wansford and Elton. An alert was also issued for the Welland and its tributaries at Market Deeping.
The Meadows in Stamford flooded for the second time in a month as water levels in the Welland rose although this time it remained open to the public.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “Water levels are expected to remain high for the next few days.
“There are heavy showers forecast but the good news is water levels are receding upstream.
“We expect flood alerts for the lower Welland valley to remain in place for the next few days.”
A team who set out to raise £30,000 at the start of the year to fund three hearing dogs for children have doubled their target.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People launched the appeal called Merlin’s Mission earlier this year to mark the charity’s 30th anniversary.
It was named after springer spaniel Merlin who has worked as a demonstration dog for the charity and retired this month.
The team have been inundated with donations and were absolutely thrilled when Melton-based firm Mars community fund donated £1,155 towards the cost of producing a calendar featuring Merlin and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The calendar has been such a success it has sold out.
They have raised so much, they doubled their initial target from £30,000 to £60,000. It currently stands at just over £55,000.
Local area fundraiser Denise Taylor, of Church Street, South Witham, has spearheaded the campaign with her husband John and Merlin’s owner Pauline Shepherd.
25 years ago
December 26, 1997
Don Lambert, president of Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce, says the New Year will be one of the best the town has ever had.
Mr Lambert says people have several reasons to be optimistic with plans that will change the face of Stamford.
Mr Lambert said: “The town regeneration scheme has now started and when closed circuit television comes to the town, the place will be so much safer. This will encourage people to come into Stamford, which in turn will encourage trade.
“Although we have seen some shops close in the town there have also been new ones opening, and I think this will continue.”
Council tenants at Wing are refusing to pay bills for water charges over a dispute concerning a septic tank which has been plagued with rats.
The issue came to light when Rosemary O’Gorman moved into her council house on Morcott Road two years ago. During the summer of 1996 she noticed a bad smell. “I asked a neighbour if they knew what it was and they told me it was coming from the septic tank which had been installed 20 years ago.”
Mrs O’Gorman could not understand why the tenants were paying sewerage charges when the properties were served by a septic tank, so she contacted Anglian Water and asked if the tenants were eligible for rebates.
Graham Frankland, press spokesman for Anglian Water, said: “Although the tank was emptied for solids, liquids were going into the mains. We appreciate that the tenants have been paying the local authority to have the tank emptied. We propose to bypass the septic tank as a goodwill gesture, paying 60 per cent of the £1,000 cost. We don’t know how the septic tank arrangement came about. The reasons have been caught up in the mists of time.
Bourne residents have been doing their bit to keep the town’s threatened hospital from closing.
A letter-writing campaign putting the case for the hospital has been a success, with individuals and organisations voicing their concerns over the future of health care in Bourne.
The letters have been sent to South Lincolnshire Community Health Council – the patients’ watchdog which has the power to oppose closure.
The council’s chief executive Ellen Wood said: “We have had a lot of letters from the public, and also from parish councils whose villages will be affected by the closure. One or two have stated that they do not object to the proposed closure, but as you might expect these are very, very much in the minority.”
Mrs Wood said there had also been a good response to the council’s questionnaire.
The council’s members will meet on January 5 to discuss its formal position on Bourne Hospital, but Mrs Wood was unable to pre-empt what its decision might be.
Lincolnshire Health received an extra £1.75 million from Government funds this week – but it will not affect Bourne Hospital, Dr Richard Crooks, the authority’s director of services, said the money will be going on re-structuring and modernising health provision and not straight to front-line service funds.
Messages of condolence written by Bourne residents following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, are to be sent to Kensington Palace.
Hundreds wrote their tributes to the princess in a condolence book at Bourne Town Halll, which has since been stored at the offices of the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
The book will later be sent on to Althorp - Diana’s Northamptonshire resting place.
50 years ago
December 29, 1972
Stamford may keep its Mayor and town council under local government re-organisation.
But the council would be far less powerful than the current borough council – making only minor decisions.
Under the latest proposals it could comprise councillors who will be serving on the borough council at March 31, 1974.
The council – which would be known as either a town or parish council – would start operations the next day.
Town Clerk Mr Harold Bedford revealed these latest proposals for Stamford’s future at the recent civic dinner.
He said its functions would include making decision on things like arts and crafts, tourism, off-street parking, and public toilets. The council would be able to raise a rate of 2p in the pound each year – about £20,000 by current values.
But the really good news for those who feared a complete break from the old days of the borough council is that Stamford will have a “Town Mayor” under the proposals.
Even if the new parish council of Stamford comes into being, all big decision will be made by the new district council based at Grantham.
Total rent arrears of South Kesteven Rural Council tenants at November 18, was £1,308.77.
Mr Norman Kirk was given authority by the council yesterday to take magistrates’ court proceedings for the recovery of arrears from nine tenants and one ex-tenant.
Rent rebates allowed by the council for the six weeks ending November 12 totalled £4,712.37.
Since its last meeting the council gave a total of £100.58 in rate rebates.
The council approved the following rents and rates for converted dwellings at the Endowed School, Market Deeping.
For 60 Church Street, rent £5.93, rates £1.85 fortnightly, total £7.78; 62 Church Street, £5.56, £1.68, £7.24; 64 Church Street, £5.37, £1.53,£6.90.
Regarding the play area at the school, the council decided not to repair the toilets nor to provide a drinking fountain.
The Council authorised clearing and levelling the whole site before a deputation visited the play area to consider what equipment should be installed.
Kesteven County Council’s draft development policy of 1968 is completely out-of-date, having been overtaken by events of the 1970s and is now utterly irrelevant when used as an objection to any planning application, West Kesteven Rural Council were told.
Coun Paul McGuire was objecting to the Council’s planning committee refusing to grant permission for two houses to be erected on land owned by Coun Mrs Nora Hardwick.
The main reason for refusal was that the planning authority’s policy was normally to keep development within the close confines of existing villages. A second reason was that the proposed development adjoined property that was isolated from the rest of the village by a main road.
Coun McGuire said that reason such as these based on an out-of-date policy accounted for the growing frustration with outline planning decisions. “And this has become more apparent recently with the pressure on building land,” he said.
100 years ago
December 29, 1922
Record Dance – The dance held at the Drill-hall, Stamford, on Boxing night was a record one in numbers for those organised by the Territorial Club, there being well over 200 present. C.Q.M.S. G. Wilson, Corp. Popple, and Lance-corp Harper were the M.C.’s and Mr. Harry Jones’s orchestra supplied the music. For correctly guessing the weight of a hare, Mr. Fairlei became its possessor, and Mr. Albon was awarded a lucky number prize.
Hotel Staffs’ Ball – A most pleasurable evening was passed by over 100 people in the ball-room of the Stamford Hotel on Wednesday, the occasion being the Stamford and George Hotel staffs’ ball. Much of the success of the evening was due to Mrs. Taylor and Miss Pitt, the organisers, whose arrangement were admirable. Refreshments were served during the interval. The M.C.’s were Mr. J. Pick and Mr. Thomas Hart, and the music was supplied by Mr. and Miss Harper and Mr. W Boyden. This was the first time that a ball has been given for the hotel staffs, but it is to be hoped that the one on Wednesday night is only the fore-runner of many more to come.
Sudden Death – The death took place with painful suddenness on Wednesday night of Mr. Harry Holmes, for 25 years foreman in Messrs. Lowe, Son, and Cobbold’s brewery. Mr. Holmes had been ailing for some time, but was at business on the day of his death. After tea he retired to bed, and about 10 o’clcok passed away shortly after the arrival of a doctor. Aged 53, he leaves a widow and daughter to mourn their loss.
Bourne
Share-Out – The 66 full members of the Old Windmill Sick and Dividing Club had contributed £56 6s. 0d. There had been several members on the sick list and the dividend worked out at 11s. 1d. per member. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr. A. Spur; vice-chairman, Mr. W. Fowler; treasurer, Miss Furguson; secretary, Mr. A. L. Swain.
Cyclist’s Skull Fractured - Late on Thursday evening the police were informed that a young man had been found lying in an unconscious condition at the foot of Pasture-hill, between Bourne and Edenham, and it was not until his admission to the Butterfield Hospital that his identity was established. The victim was Mr. Ron Burchnall, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Burchnall, of West-street, Bourne, who in cycling to Edenham, had by some unknown means been thrown from his machine over the handle bars. The fall rendered him unconscious. In this condition he remained until Saturday afternoon, when he showed some signs of regaining consciousness, but again relapsed into unconsciousness from which state he had, more or less, recovered by Tuesday. He was found to be suffering from a fracture of the skull, and his face was badly cut and bruised. He had, however, made good progress since the occurrence, and so far as can be ascertained is progressing favourably towards recovery.
150 years ago
December 27, 1872
Stamford Soup Kitchen – A meeting of the committee was held at the Town-hall on Monday evening, under the presidency of the Mayor. The accounts of the last season’s operations (January and February, 1871) were read and passed. A communication was made to the committee that Mr. T. G. Mason, of St. Mary’s-hill, is willing to contribute £25 to the funds, on the understanding that a supply of bread be made, so that each applicant may receive a quart of soup and a pound of bread for one penny. The offer was thankfully accepted by the committee. It was resolved that the kitchen should be opened in 1873, at such time as the state of the weather required its operation.
We are informed that Stamford Christmas Market on Friday last was a good one for the caterers of provisions, the butchers having sold the bulk of the large supply of beef, mutton, and pork, which they had exhibited on the previous evening, and the poultry market having been nearly cleared out. Turkeys and geese made 1s. per lb., ducks 5s 6d. to 7s. 6d.per couple, chickens 4s. to 6s. 6d., hares 5s. each, and pheasants 10s. a brace. There was not a large supply of game, but those gentlemen who contrived to send a quantity to market must have obtained higher receipts than they ever experienced before. If the prices continue as they are now game-breeding will become a profitable occupation.
Capt. Orme’s annual dole of £10 each to three poor widows living in the parish of St. George’s, Stamford, who most regularly attend church throughout the year, was distributed last week. The fortunate recipients were – Mrs. Bishop, Mrs Hicks, and Mrs. Sutherland. All three have received the dole previously.
The Rev. A. C. Abdy, thoughtful of the necessities of some of his poorer parishioners, has this week given several of them 5 cwt. of coal each. Mr. Higgins, of St. Mary’s-street, Stamford, has also kindly made presents of 5 cwt..of coal to several poor women.
The inmates of the Stamford Union-house had their annual dinner of roast beef and plum pudding on Christmas day. There was a liberal allowance for each; and as they were well waited upon by the officials and some of the Guardians and their families, every opportunity was afforded for a full enjoyment of the treat. In the afternoon the women had tea, and the men were indulged with tobacco and beer.
Another Caution To Tradespeople – A gang, 20 in number, of the gipsy tribe is in this neighbourhood, and it would be well for the tradespeople to be on their guard against them. They have four or five vans, and sell mats, baskets, brushes, &c. Their mode of proceeding is as follows: - One man will enter a shop order goods, such as bacon, cheese, beef, drapery, liquors, hay, and even cigars, and throw down three or four sovereigns. A second man will follow, and whilst the shopkeeper is getting the goods together, put the money in his pocket; then a woman will come with brushes, &c., and as a matter of course the tradesman feels bound to buy of them, and consequently gives a greater price than he would in the ordinary way of business. As soon as the woman pockets the money, they all decamp, leaving the tradesman to gather up the goods he had placed on his counter. Gamekeepers and the police should be on the alert, as they have a number of running dogs with them.
200 years ago
December 27, 1822
An alarm of fire arose in Stamford a little before seven o’clock yesterday morning, and the engines were promptly taken to the premises of Mr. Greenwood, farmer, in Scotgate, where a chaff-house had taken fire, through the carelessness of a boy who went into the building with a lantern, but is supposed to have taken the candle therefrom, and to have dropped it amongst the chaff. The flames were speedily subdued, with little loss.
We understand that the trustees of the proposed new turnpike-road from Bourn to Spalding have contracted for the formation of the same, and that the work is to be proceeded with
immediately.
The annual donation of beef, bread, and money from Mr. and Lady Mary Fludyer, to every poor family in Thistleton, Ayston, and Wardley, took place this week, and will prove a liberal supply for at least a week after Christmas.
Lady Sophia Whichcote, of Glaston, gave a dinner as usual on Christmas-day, at the Horse Shoes inn, to the poor of that parish, and likewise distributed wearing apparel amongst them. Her Ladyship also kindly distributed a quantity of wearing apparel amongst the poor of the parish of Seaton.
On Saturday se’nnight Henry Wallis and Wm. Wallis, of Stapleford, were convicted (by the Rev. Dr. Wylde) of having wilfully damaged a fence, the property of Gervas Smedley, of that parish, and were adjudged to pay immediately the damage and costs thereby incurred.
On Sunday last, the Fife-major of the Huntingdonshire Militia, while in church, showed symptoms of a deranged mind; and in the course of the evening, retiring to his bed-room, in his quarters, he cut his throat with a penknife, so effectually as to occasion almost immediate death. A coroner’s inquest was summoned the same night on the body, and delivered a verdict, Insanity.
On Monday night four geese and ten fowls were stolen from the premises of Mr. Morley Fox, farmer, of Ashton, near Oundle.
On Monday the 16th inst. an inquest was held at Leake, before C. Mastin, Gent. coroner, on view of the body of Elizabeth the wife of Mr. Geo. Jefferay, who died in consequence of taking too much opium. It appeared that the deceased had laboured under excessive pain for some time, from a stroke of a cleaver, which nearly severed the thumb from the hand; she had also been in a desponding state of mind, which manifested itself to her neighbours; added to which, a disordered intellect was hereditary. The jury, under every consideration of the case, readily entered into the views of the coroner, and a verdict to the effect was recorded.
The prisoners in Oakham Gaol return thanks to the Rev. R. Twopenny, of Casterton, for his usual donation at this season.
Lady Hesilrigge, of Nosely Hall, Leicestershire, has disposed of her fine and valuable herd of deer to the Earl of Westmorland. They were conveyed to Apethorpe Park on Friday last.
