Delve into the past of Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and The Deepings with Mercury Memories

November 11, 2011

There is fresh hope that access for disabled people could be installed at Stamford railway station.

Passengers with mobility problems who cannot manage the stairs on the footbridge are unable to cross the line to reach the Oakham-bound trains.

It means they have to catch a train to Peterborough and then travel by rail back to Stamford. Passengers arriving from Peterborough have to so to Oakham and then come back.

The problem is caused by the station only having one entrance, on the Peterborough-bound side of the tracks.

But now the Burghley House Preservation Trust says it would be willing to negotiate with Network Rail over providing access to the Oakham-bound platform.

A community group has finally got the money it needs to install new toilets on the Recreation Ground in Stamford.

The Friends of the Recreation Ground recently received a donation of £2,500 from Hanson Cement to its Spend A Penny campaign, taking it past the £50,000 needed for the new facilities.

Plans have already been drawn up in collaboration with Stamford Town Council and the group hopes to submit a planning application in the next few weeks.

The toilets could be open by the start of the new year.

Penny Dawson, of the Friends, said: “It’s fantastic, we are delighted.

“We have a few more donations to come in but we should now be able to build the toilets.”

The town council has been heavily involved in the project since ownership of the Recreation Ground was transferred to it from South Kesteven District Council.

The Army will move into RAF Wittering in 2013.

It was announced yesterday that the headquarters elements of 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group currently based at Waterbeach Barracks in Cambridgeshire, will move to the base in about 18 months time.

RAF Wittering spokesman Sqdn Ldr (Retd) Tony Walsh said: “Although it was announced some months ago that RAF Wittering’s future was assured as the home of the RAF Logistics Hub, today’s announcement that headquarters 12 (Air Support) Engineer Group will move from Waterbeach Barracks to RAF Wittering by the summer 2013, involving 44 Service personnel and their families, further reinforces the future viability of RAF Wittering.”

Police have released CCTV images of two men they want to question after a theft from a pub and attempted credit card fraud at a hotel.

A wallet and cash belonging to an employee at the George Hotel in High Street St Martins were stolen from a staff area in the hotel at about 11.30am on Tuesday.

The third then called the hotel and asked for the victim pretending to be from the bank fraud squad.

Using personal details from the stolen driving licence, he faked a security questionnaire and then told the victim that a fraudulent transaction for £2,000 was about to take place on the account.

He stated he would need the PIN for the card to stop the transaction but the victim realised something was not right and challenged the male, at which point he hung up.

25 years ago

November 8, 1996

Gastronomical delights cooked over glowing coals by members of the Lions Club of Rutland were as much a hit at this year’s bonfire night spectacular at Oakham School as the fireworks.

Around 2,500 people came to the school field, the traditional setting for the event, and enjoyed the food, fireworks and flames.

Keith Tyers, club committee member said: “Everything went really well. We always get a good crowd. They tucked into the food we prepared and before we knew it my pancakses had sold out.

“The event would not have been possible had it not been for the efforts of the Lions and the headmaster of the school for giving us kind permission to use the field.”

A kind hearted Cottesmore boy has raised £115 for burglary victims Ron and Kathleen Clipston.

The 73-year-old couple were burgled as they watched television with the thieves ransacking their bedroom and making off with Kathleen’s engagement ring, other jewellery and cash with a total value of around £200.

On hearing of their distress, 11-year-old Jamie Thakeray, visited houses around his home at RAF Cottesmore asking for donations and on Tuesday night he went to Ron and Kathleen’s High Street home to present them with the money.

“I didn’t know what to say to him because I was dumbstruck. We could not believe someone could be to kind,” said Ron.

Jamie is an old hand at collecting for good causes, having raised money for the Dunblane appeal and Children in Need and needed no prompting to pound the pavements on this occasion.

Ron said the money will be used to replace the items stolen.

Lives could be put at risk unless more retained firefighters are found.

That is the warning from Lincolnshire Fire Brigade personnel who say cover in the area is in jeopardy.

Corby Glen Fire Station was non-operational for one morning last week because there were not enough retained firefighters available.

The numbers at Bourne are adequate, but manning levels in Corby Glen, Market Deeping and Stamford could affect cover in the town.

Stamford Station officer Neville Johnson said: “Last week the pump at Corby Glen was taken off the run for one morning because we didn’t have enough retained firefighters to make up a crew until 3pm. There have been several times when Stamford has been close to only having one appliance operational because of manning problems.

Although Market Deeping had not yet been “Taken off th run”, it was still borderline in terms of sufficient crewing.

When Corby Glen and Market Deeping are undermanned, pumps have to be mobilised from Bourne, Stamford, Spalding and even Peterborough.

Increasing numbers of people are joining police in ‘Operation Vulture’ to swoop on con artists and bogus callers.

There were twice as many calls to police reporting distraction burglaries in September as in the previous month when the campaign was launched. Police say this proves people are beginning to take note of the crackdown.

But residents are still being warned to be on their guard against bogus callers and police are reinforcing the message never to admit strangers without checking identity.

50 years ago

November 12, 1971

The lease between the Marquess of Exeter and the Trustees of the Stamford Arts Centre was signed by the Trustees in the presence of the “Arts” societies of the town, at the Town Hall on Tuesday.

The lease is for the term of 45 years for the annual rent of £5, and is to run from January 1, 1972.

The property comprises the Assembly Rooms, the Old Theatre and the garden land running down to Wharf Road.

For the benefit of the representatives present Mr Robin Lowe gave a precis of the terms of the lease and details of the committee of management and executive, who will be responsible for the running of the centre.

The elected members of the management committee will be chosen at the first annual meeting to be held on Thursday, January 13, at 7.30 pm in the Assembly Rooms.

The managing director of a King’s Cliffe coach and haulage company estimated on Wednesday morning, that an overnight blaze at their garage had done up to £20,000 worth of damage.

Mr B. C. Howard, of P. C. Howard Ltd, Coaches and Haulage, said that the premises had been just about destroyed.

“No real figures can be calculated yet, but the cost of the damage will be up to £20,000 I would think,” he said.

The blaze broke out just before 1 o’clock on Wednesday morning, when Oundle and Stamford fire brigades were called.

A spokesman at brigade headquarters in Kettering said that fire completely destroyed a building used as a store, and severely damaged the workshop.

Mr Howard added that a car in one of the buildings and a trailer in the other also went up in flames, together with more than 30 tyres.

“We have no workshop now,” Mr Howard said, “and the firm has 60 vehicles on the road.

“Fortunately we have alternative repairing accommodation we can use, and the builders will be arriving tomorrow to start putting right the damage.”

Bourne Urban Council does not like the East Midlands Electricity Board arrangement that street lighting switches shall operate on Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year.

The Board’s decision, which follows the country’s alternating between GMT and British Summer Time, was made owing to the cost of changing time switches twice a year.

Quoting from a Department of the Environment circular, the Clerk, Mr Frank Mason, said that local authorities were asked to be aware of the importance of road safety.

The Department asked the authorities to adjust street lighting controls on principal roads, and on quieter roads which children use between their homes and schools.

The lighting on these roads should be lit for as long as early as possible in the evenings.

The Council will ask the Board to adjust time switches, so that they operate during the correct hours of darkness.

The County Council has turned down Bourne Urban Council’s request for street lighting to be provided between South Street and the Chest hospital, on the A15 road.

The stretch of road fell below the rating level for principal roads lighting.

100 years ago

November 11, 1921

Local Invention – A patent having relation to “endless track” vehicles has been taken out by Mr. E. Carter, of the Rutland Engineering Works, Stamford. According to the invention the trucks comprise an inverted V-shaped sheet-metal trough, the sides of which are braced by the truck roller axles mounted therein. The dividing sprocket and idler are mounted in castings on the truck-frame, the top of which carries a track-supporting roller. The truck rollers are lubricated by pipes leading from a lubricator.

Another Success for the Martin Tractor Plough – At the Royal Isle of Wight ploughing match, on the 3rd inst., the Martin self-lift tractor plough won the first prize and special prize for tractor ploughs.

Skill At Cards – There were 172 players at a enjoyable whist competition at the Conservative Club on Thursday week. Mr. G. Naylor acted as M.C., and refreshments were served under the supervision of Miss Bird, Mrs. Wedge, and Miss Wedge. Mrs. Wedge also presenting the prizes to the following: - 1, Miss Daniels and Mr. F. J. Hudson, 180; 2, Mr. and Mrs. Ingle, 179; 3, Mrs. J. T. and Mr. R. Chapman, 177: “booby,” Mrs.J. Frisby and Mr. F. Sorfleet, 132; mystery, Mrs. E. Belton and Mr. J. Green.

No Pension Claims – There were no cases to come before the local Old Age Pensions Committee on Friday.

Occasional Licence – The Magistrates on Saturday granted the licensee of the Stamford Hotel permission to sell intoxicating liquors from 9 p.m. To midnight at the Assembly-rooms, on the occasion of the Ermyn Tennis Club dance on November 18th.

“Fed Up” - the possessor of a record which included convictions for shop-breaking, larceny, travelling on the railway without a ticket, burglary, loitering, and malicious damage, a wayfarer named Thomas White was, at the Borough police court on Saturday, sent to prison for three months for loitering with intent to commit a felony on the 29th ult. P.c. Hubbard stated that prisoner accosted him and said he was “fed up” and intended “pinching” a pair of boots. Witness advised him not to do so, but White proceeded to Mr. Higgs’ tobacconist’s shop in St. John’s-street and endeavoured to force the shutters up. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and upon receiving sentence said “Thank you, your worships,”

Bourne

How Money Spent on Beer is Distributed – Speaking at a temperance gathering arranged by the Bourne Free Church Council, Mr. Charles Smith, of Sheffield, the secretary of the British Temperance League, said at a recent share-holders’ meeting the chairman of a brewery company said that he considered every man should consume enough intoxicants to contribute £25 a year to the Exchequer. That meant the consumption of two quarts of beer per day at 1s. 6d. per quart, and the allocation of every £1 was as follows: - To the farmer, representing malt and hops, 1s.4d.; to the Exchequer, 8s. 4d.; to the “trade,” for division between its various sections, 10s. 4d.

150 years ago

November 10, 1871

The arrangement made a fortnight ago, and concurred in by a majority of Stamford Town Council, that Mr. Alderman Johnson should be elected Mayor, was broken at the last moment, and some of the members who had given their assent to the proposal were induced to change their minds. Personal antipathies rule very strongly in the Corporation, though it appears that in this case the objection was not so much to Mr. Johnson as to those who induced him to consent to accept the office of Chief Magistrate, Mr. Law had been previously invited, but then declined to undertake the Mayoralty. It is said that Mr. Jeffery will be solicited to fill the vacancy in St. Mary’s ward caused by the appointment of Mr. Paradise as Alderman.

Forty members of the Stamford Rifle Corps, with their band, attended church parade on Sunday last at St. Mary’s: the sermon was preached by the chaplain, the Rev. C. Nevison.

Mrs. Ronniger, the representative of the “London National Society for Women’s Suffrage,” gave an address in the Assembly-rooms, Stamford, on Friday last to a mixed audience, many persons no doubt being present from curiosity. In a well-delivered speech, containing occasional touches of mild sarcasm, she ably argued in favor of the right of females to share in the election of those who make laws by which women in common with men are governed, maintaining that on the grounds of education, mental power, aptitude for business, industry, patriotism, and justice the English woman was entitled to the exercise of the franchise, from which at present she was barred by the mere accident of sex. Mrs. Ronniger’s remarks were frequently applauded: and at the close of the address a resolution was unanimously adopted affirming that, “on the principle recognized in the Household Suffrage Act, women householders should have extended to them the Parliamentary franchise.” Votes of thanks were recorded to Mrs. Ronniger and to the chairman (Mr. B. Taylor, of Peterboro’).

Browne’s Hospital – In the account of the restoration and re-arrangement of this building which appears in our impression of last week an error occurs in the description of the number of bedehouses. The paragraph in question should read, “The houses are twelve in number, &c. &c., eight of them have each a living room 14ft 6 by 10ft. 6, with bed-room over of similar dimensions, together with separate staircase, pantry, and scullery. The remaining four are single rooms, somewhat larger in size, with separate pantries, &c.”

Stamford Union – There was a small attendance at the Board meeting on Wednesday, in consequence of the fair. The number of in-door paupers continues below the average (132 against 185 in the corresponding period of last year), but the recipients of out-relief have increased – 853 at a cost of £100 10s. 11½d., against 795 at a cost of £93 18s. 4½d.

A serious accident happened last week to Mr. Wm. Siddons, deputy surveyor of the King’s Cliffe district roads, between King’s Cliffe and Blatherwycke. The horse he was driving started off suddenly, in consequence of which Mr. Siddons fell over the side of the cart on his head and shoulder, bruising his head very severely. He was taken home and as soon as possible attended by Mr. W. Skinner, surgeon, and under his care he is going on very favourably.

200 years ago

November 9, 1821

On Monday next the time of the Glasgow mail will be changed. It will arrive in Stamford from the North between 11 and 12 o’clock in the day. The Post-office arrangements are not yet completed: until they can be, we shall establish expresses of our own. To prevent inconvenience to our correspondents whose letter bear on the Lincoln office: so that they may continue to dispatch their letters as heretofore. We have hope that ultimately the new arrangements will afford us increased facilities of communication. Our correspondents at Grantham and Newark should not write by a later conveyance than the Glasgow mail-coach on Thursdays: the Edinburgh is after
time.

At Stamford fair yesterday there was a tolerably large show of horses, but the number of good ones was very small. All sorts were heavy to dispose of, and late prices could hardly be said to be supported. The sheep fair was unusually large, and it was a difficult thing indeed to sell. In the cheese fair prices were, for the best sorts 6s. 6d. per stone; second, 5s. to 5s 9d.; common, 3s. to 3s.8d. Onions 3s. 6d. per bushel.

On Friday the 2d inst. An inquest was taken at Bottesford, in the Vale of Belvoir, before Thomas Clarke, Gent. coroner, on view of the body of Mr. Scrimshaw, miller. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the deceased had been making merry with his friends at a public-house in the village until a very late hour, and was proceeding to his own house, about a mile distant, when he was seized with an apoplectic fit, fell into a ditch, and instantly died. Verdict accordingly.

Some person or persons entered the shop of Miss Mason, milliner, of Spalding, last Tuesday, during the time the apprentices were gone to dinner, and took away her ribbon-drawer, containing almost the whole of her stock with which they got safely off. This daring robbery is supposed to have been perpetrated by two woman, strangers, who had been in the shop a very little time before, under the frivolous pretence of wanting a ribbon of a particular colour to trim a pelisse.

On Friday the 2d inst. A melancholy accident occurred at Melton Mowbray. As Edmund Batty, eldest son of Mr. Batty, miller, was working at a water-mill, his arm caught the shaft of the dressing-machine, which drew him in and cut it off above the elbow. Had the arm not broken, the whole body of the unfortunate man must have been drawn in. The amputated limb was soon afterwards found, and taken home, wrapped in a cloth. Surgical aid was immediately procured, and we are happy to say the poor sufferer is likely to do well.

The present season seems to be remarkable for the numerous instances of fruit-trees blossoming after their time. There are two fine apple trees at Oakham, (one belonging to Mr. Austin at the Wharf, the other to Mr. Rippin,) at this time in beautiful blossom, although in the autumn they yielded good crops of fruit.