Delve into the past of Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and The Deepings with Mercury Memories
10 years ago
A headteacher has been selected for a top national school support role.
Chris Beckett of The Deepings School is one of 100 teachers in the UK to have been appointed as a National Leader of Education by the government-funded National College for Schools Leadership.
He will now be asked to use his experience as head of a successful school to give advice to staff at struggling schools or those in transition to federation or academy status.
Mr Becket could potentially become acting head of another school as a way of improving results.
He said: “It is a genuine honour to be selected and appointed as a National Leader of Education and it reflects the progress and success we have achieved together at the school.
“I would like to thank the staff and governors of the school for their ongoing support.”
A mayor has urged people to show their support when an air force base holds its 50th anniversary parade.
RAF Wittering celebrates its half century this year and to mark the occasion 150 servicemen and women will march through Stamford on Wednesday, July 13.
The parade will form at 10.30am on Broad Street and will march towards Browne’s Hospital, led by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
There will be a general salute to the guests and dignitaries gathered at the hospital at 11am, including the mayor’s party and the scroll bearer, a squadron commander and two squadron leaders from the original parade in 1961.
The mayor will be invited to inspect the guard, and there will be a flypast by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire.
Mayor of Stamford councillor John Binder hopes people will turn out in force to support the parade.
He said: “Stamford Town Council always supports RAF Wittering, they have a proud history and we are always pleased to see them.
“I applaude everything they do and I am looking forward to the parade.”
A housing developer is looking forward to the future despite one of its businesses going into administration.
Managing director of the Larkfleet Group Karl Hick is disappointed that FE Peacock Construction had to call in the administrators on Tuesday evening, leaving 37 people redundant,
He said that FE Peacock, which specialises in building and maintaining social housing, had suffered as work had dried up following recent government spending cuts in social housing.
Mr Hick said: “The problem with FE Peacock was that there is no social housing being built at the minute due to the cut backs.
“However Larkfleet still has a lot of projects in the pipeline including planned developments and solar photovoltaic panel work.”
Therefore, the demise of FE Peacock will not really affect Larkfleet as a whole, according to Mr Hick. He said: “We are still working under difficult trading conditions – but then it is difficult for everyone.
“In spite of all this, we are looking forward to the future with confidence.”
25 years ago
The post of principal of both the Stamford Endowed Schools has gone to the present headmaster of one of the country’s most successful grant maintained schools.
Dr Peter Mason was chosen from around 50 applicants nationwide and he will take up the post in September 1997 following the retirement of Geoffrey Timm and Gladys Bland.
Dr Mason is currently headmaster of Reading School which last year was among the top-placed non-independent schools in the A-level league tables.
He said: “The style, ethos and expectations are the same at the endowed schools as I have at Reading. I share the aims of the governors of Stamford School and Stamford High School to make then more successful, furthering the reputation they already have nationally”
Dr Mason, born in Rochdale, gained a first class honours degree in chemistry at Newcastle University and a PhD in 1974. He was an examiner in the subject for three examination boards in the 1980s.
He has taught at independent, grammar and comprehensive schools.
A 15-year-old battle over a parcel of green land in Market Deeping may finally be over as the town council is set to buy the Glebe Field.
The long-standing row was sparked again last year when Stamford Homes Ltd applied to South Kesteven District Council for outline planning permission to build 10 homes on part of the site.
District councillors threw out the proposals, but Glebe Field has, until now, remained under threat because it is earmarked in the Local Plan for development.
The town council has agreed a price of £200,000 with Glebe Field owners, the Lincoln Diocese, and will now ask SKDC for a loan.
If approved at the district’s finance and land committee on June 27 the town council will be given the cash and pay it back over 25 years.
The loan will mean a maximum of 19p a week extra in council tax bills for Band D properties.
Market Deeping Mayor Reg Howard said: “If we are given the loan, and I am hopeful it will be approved, it will mean the Glebe Field will remain as public open space.
“We do not want people to think the town council is buying this land simply to stop building. We are doing it to save an important part of the Deepings’ heritage.”
Eight community schemes have been awarded grants totalling more than £21,000 by South Kesteven District Council.
Two playing field schemes have been awarded grants with South Witham due to receive a total of £1,450 towards play equipment and safer surfacing while Carlby has been awarded £2,500 for an adventure play area and safer surface.
Baston village hall has been awarded a grant of £4,500 towards the cost of providing changing facilities, while Castle Bytham is to receive £2,211 to refurbish the kitchen and disabled adaptations.
Other village halls awarded grants include Langtoft, set to receive £755 for a new heating system, £631 to refurbish toilets at West Deeping, Market Deeping is to get £250 for disabled adaptations and Swinstead has been given a grant of £1,827 for a refurbishment programme.
Summer playschemes in Stamford, Deeping St James and Market Deeping are to receive a share of £17,000 from South Kesteven District Council.
Members voted unanimously at the amenities meeting on Thursday to approve a total of 16 playschemes together with the applications for grant aid.
50 years ago
The responsibility for the state of Stamford’s roads spotlighted in recent issues of the “Mercury”, is not all that of the Highway Committee of the Borough Council.
In a statement after Thursday’s meeting of the committee, the chairman, Ald J. F. Cutting, spoke of the extraordinary amount of excavation by the various statutory undertakings.
He said that a programme had been prepared for resurfacing where necessary.
With regard to general maintenance it has been arranged for the whole of the 28 miles of highway within the borough to be inspected once every month on foot.
An Arts Centre in the middle of Stamford will cost an estimated £12,000 to modernise, says Stamford Arts Centre committee.
The Committee – currently running Stamford’s third Arts Festival – plan to set up their centre in the Assembly Rooms, Old Theatre and the connecting house between.
So far £400 has been collected and given to the Arts Centre Development Fund, but the committee are approaching various established Trusts with a view to annual subsidies and block grants for modernisation.
Approaches will be made for local contributions when a management committee is formed.
This cannot take place, say the committee, until after an Educational Charitable Trust is set up to administer the centre.
The three buildings which will comprise the centre are all built of local stone with Collyweston slate roofs.
A “Good Neighbour” campaign to beat summer holiday burglars was launched on Friday by local Police forces.
The plan is for neighbours to keep a watchful eye on homes left empty by holidaymaking families.
Advertising will be supported by leaflets explaining the way the scheme works. The leaflets will be readily available at local stations.
One section of the leaflet is intended for the householders to leave with the person who is going to look after their home.
It contains advice on how to deal with tell-tale items like mail protruding from the letterbox and the way to deal with people who call at the empty house.
Work has started on the construction of two diversion tunnels, measuring a total of about 4,000 feet at Empingham reservoir site.
The tunnels, which will take about three months to dig, will first be used in a scheme to divert the River Guash from the dam site.
They will both be connected to the giant 122 foot control shaft and will be used finally to take water out of the reservoir at different levels.
The digging work is being done by a new £30,000 soft ground shield excavator, which contractors Edmund Nuttall Ltd have nicknamed “the gobbler”.
The machine, believed to be the first of its kind used in this country, digs by means of a hydraulic ram which drives a chain in an arc movement on the digging arm.
The earth is removed by a conveyor belt system in the tunnel and then taken in buckets up through the control shaft.
The tunnels are being dug at a depth of 122 feet.
100 years ago
Fireman’s Guard of Honour – On returning from their honeymoon, which was spent at Skegness, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Goodley, were met at Essendine by Chief Officer A. Bacon and Second-officer B. T. Grimes, together with a number of firemen of the Stamford brigade, and a guard of honour was formed at the entrance to the station. The remainder of the journey was completed by motor-car, and on arrival at Stamford the party was met by other firemen and at the house the guard of honour was re-formed.
Medical Treatment for Ex-Service Men – At a meeting of the committee appointed to deal with Stamford’s apportionment of the United Services Fund, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. A. Cliff), it was decided that £30 of the £250 should be handed to the Stamford Territorial Club, and that the remaining £220 should be invested by headquarters and a yearly sum paid to the local committee for the purchase of hospital tickets on behalf of ex-Service men or their dependants, for surgical, medical, or convalescent treatment. The scheme will extend over a period of 25 years, and it provides for a portion of the capital being used each year in addition to the interest. Messrs. G. E. Higgs, H. Deer and A. Peasgood were appointed trustees under the scheme, and a divisional committee was formed.
Brickmakers’ Garden Party – The employees of Messrs. Williamson Cliff, Ltd., were entertained at a garden party at Rock Lodge, Stamford, on Saturday by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. A.Cliff), and those present spent a most pleasurable time. The party numbered about 250, and included the wives and friends of the men. Amongst those who helped to ensure the happiness of the guests were the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. F. W. Williamson, Mr. W. L. Jackson (the firm’s London representative), the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. E. S. Bowman), Mrs. F. W. Kent, Mr. and Mrs. P. K. Banks. Miss Williamson, Miss Gladys Archer, Mr. Siddons, etc. After a meat tea had been indulged in a pleasant time was spent in the grounds, various outdoor pastimes being much enjoyed. Later an excellent concert was given by the workmen, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Lenox contributed a splendid magical entertainment. Miss F. Kent furnished the accompaniments throughout in a most praiseworthy manner.
Guardians and Officials’ Salaries – The fortnightly meeting of the Bourne Board was held on the 9th inst., when the Rev. F. F. Taylor presided. Mr. Sneath raised the question of the Board considering war bonuses paid. The Clerk stated that no bonuses were being paid, but small increases of salary had been granted. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. The Board accepted the tender of Mr. J. Osborn for bread and flour for the ensuing quarter, and of Mrs. Pick for cake for the same period. On the question of groceries the Clerk said that he had received two tenders and a letter from another contractor that prices would show a reduction in a fortnight for which period the Board decided to defer the tenders. The House Committee reported that during the fortnight 155 vagrants had been relieved.
150 years ago
The restoration of All Saints’ church, Stamford, has been commenced, and we are glad to be able to state that the superb line of Early English arcading – an arcade, we may mention for the information of those not familiar with the dates of Gothic architecture, which has become hoary with the age of six centuries – is not likely to require resetting - at least if the work of restoration can be performed as successfully as the architect hopes it will be. The Perpendicular embattled parapet of the south wall will have to be temporarily displaced.
The children attending St. Michael’s school, Stamford, had their annual summer treat on Tuesday last. The scholars, with their teachers and friends, were conveyed by train to Belmisthorpe, and thence proceeded to a grass field belonging to Mr. Lowe, where they indulged in various amusements. Towards the latter part of the afternoon a slight shower fell, and this interruption to out-door games was taken advantage of to regale the juvenile portion of the company to plum cake, &c., which had been laid out in a large barn near the field. By the time they had finished tea the rain had ceased, and the sports recommenced, and were kept up with spirit until it was time to return home.
Monday last was the day for holding Stamford Corpus Christi fair, but it appeared as though the event had been entirely overlooked by both buyers and sellers of stock, there being only one pen of fat sheep, two or three raw-boned horses, and about half-a-dozen jobbers to be seen.
In the matter of the Stamford “bill-defacing” prosecution it was mentioned at the petty sessions, on Saturday, that the required recognizances for the payment of costs in the event of the decision of the Borough Magistrates not being reversed by the Court of Queen’s Bench on appeal would not be entered into for a few days, as it was intended to take counsel’s opinion on the point raise before moving further.
A boy named Walmsley, about seven years of age, fell into the river near the Cow-holme, Stamford, on Monday last, and narrowly escaped drowning. After he had been under the water some minutes he was rescued by Fred. Ayre Watson (a son of Mr W. Watson, of Rutland-terrace), who had just been bathing near the spot. It is said this is the second boy whose life young Watson has been the means of saving.
Billingboro’ – The 8th annual meeting of the shareholders of the Billingboro’ and Horbling Gas Company took place at the works on the 6th inst.: H. Smith, Esq., occupied the chair. The report and statement of accounts were taken as read, and unanimously adopted. A dividend of 6 per cent was declared. The three retiring directors, viz., Messrs. Thos. Sills, Geo. Sewards, and J. T. Bothamley were re-elected. The directors decided to reduce the price of gas by 10 per cent per 1000 cubic feet, and the charge for public lamps to be 36s. 6d. instead of £2 as heretobefore. A vote of thanks to the directors for their uniform attention to the interests of the Company since its formation having been proposed and seconded, the chairman replied thereto in suitable terms.
Stow Green Horse fair – The attendance of buyers at this fair was about as usual in number. Anything good and useful realised high prices.
200 years ago
During a heavy storm of thunder and rain last Sunday afternoon, the church of Carlby, five miles north-east of Stamford, was greatly damaged by a fire-ball, and the parshioners experienced a remarkable escape from personal injury. At the usual time for ringing in for afternoon service, the clerk went to the rectory-house, when the Minister (the Rev. T. Hurst) expressed a wish that the ringing should not begin till the tempest, which was them coming on in sable majesty, should have passed over. In consequence of this, most people remained in their houses, whilst the elemental strife of hail, rain, thunder, lightning, and wind, increased sublimely in the heavens. About five minutes past three o’clock, a dense cloud which hung over the church was observed to emit a ball of fire, which several persons who saw it described as being as large “as a peck measure.” The descent of this body was accompanied with an explosion of such terrific loudness as seemed to shake every building in the parish to its foundation, and the alarm of the inhabitants was excited by it to the highest possible pitch. As soon as some degree of composure was restored, it was found that the electric matter had entered the steeple of the church at the window on the west side, and had from within struck the wall on the east side with such force as to knock out the stones for a very considerable distance; the fire then dropped into the church, through the roof – exploded in the church, as it is believed, the mischief done to the windows and many interior parts of the building being considerable - and then passed upwards again through the roof, at another place, driving down part of a contiguous side wall, tearing up and melting lead in an extraordinary way, and leaving the joists and rafters of the roof in flames, which were happily soon extinguished by the heavy rain that was falling at the time. The storm lasted for half an hour, and, as our respectable informant assures us, frightened the parish almost to death! One quarter of the spire of the church is ripped out, and the belfry is blocked up with the stones; so that a very serious expense of repairs will fall upon the inhabitants and proprietors in Carlby. Many stones from the steeple and parapets were hurled into the church; and, as the visitation occurred just at the time when, if the tempest had not been foreseen, the parishioners would have been nearly all assembled at divine service, their escape from destruction must be considered as most providential.
A poor woman named Lank was killed on Sunday at Aunby, near this place, by a kick of a horse that was turned loose on the road to graze.
Dr. Willis, at the rent-day held on Saturday the 9th inst. For the payment of the rent due last Michaelmas, returned 15 per cent. to his tenants.
An inquest was held at Spalding on Monday last, by S. Edwards, Gent. Coroner, on a female child about three years of age, belonging to Mr. Wilson, baker, of that place, who unfortunately took up a teapot just filled with hot water, and drank out of the spout of it; from the effects of which it lingered from Thursday evening till Friday evening, and then died. Verdict, accidental death.