Stamford pub lost outdoor licence and priceless historic remains at St Leonard's Priory destroyed as we take a look at news from up to 200 years ago
With the support of the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust, we take a look at the stories that were making the news up to 200 years ago.
10 years ago
September 28, 2012
A pub has lost its outdoor music licence after complaints from residents.
The Millstone Inn in All Saints’ Street, Stamford, was told by members of South Kesteven District Council’s alcohol and entertainment licensing committee that it could no longer play outdoor music.
The environmental protection team had asked the committee, which met on Friday last week, to review the licence after it received seven complaints and the committee agreed the music was “loud and intrusive” and caused a “public nuisance”.
Manager of the pub Dave Young said he and landlord Richard Wycherley were disappointed with the decision. The pair had called for support and Mr Young said they had been backed by a large number of customers.
They are now considering applying to extend the indoor licence on Fridays and Saturdays in order to “build up the trust” before reapplying for the outdoor music licence next summer.
l Town councillors have backed residents’ calls for parking permits.
Stamford Town Council has put together a town plan, which includes a section on transport and backs residents’ calls for permits without designated residents’ bays.
South Kesteven District Council started consultation on its plans to introduce permits with bays reserved for permit holders last week. It is proposing five areas that could become residents’ parking zones.
It was in response to concern from residents who fear that when wardens start patrolling the street in December, they will be penalised for parking outside their own homes.
The town plan is based on a questionnaire completed by 2,000 people and a meeting in May attended by about 60 people.
It was put together by the town council’s strategic development committee.
Chairman of the committee Maureen Jalili (Lib Dem) said: “Our transport plan reflects what the residents of Stamford want and we want them to know the town council has been fighting for what is needed for the town.”
A school has secured £2m in Government funding for a major refurbishment project.
The Deepings School in Park Road, Deeping St James, has been granted the money following a successful bid to the Department for Education.
The school which became an academy in February will receive almost £1m for the first phase of work on the main school block.
The money will be used to completely replace the boilers, windows and heating system. The building houses the English department and several administration areas.
Phase two of the refurbishment will follow the release of a further £1m.
All the English, science and technology classrooms will be revamped and the school hopes work will be complete by September next year.
Headteacher Chris Beckett said: “This is great news for the students, staff and wider community.
“We hope that this is just the start of things to come as we work with our design and building services company Hewitt Freeborn, to develop and establish a school site that will provide the standard of facilities our staff and students deserve.”
25 years ago
September 26, 1997
Closed-circuit television could be in Stamford as early as January – with Market Deeping’s cameras being installed later in the year.
At a meeting of South Kesteven District Council customer services committee on Tuesday, councillors voted unanimously to spend £265,000 on a 14-camera scheme for Stamford, to be linked to the CCTV control centre in Grantham.
Market Deeping will get a four-camera scheme costing £90,000, which will be part-funded by property developers Carter Commercial.
Stamford CCTV Consortium chairman Colin Evans said: “The news is wonderful. All we need now is to raise as much money as possible before the work is carried out.
More than £25,000 has been pledged by businesses and people in Stamford - with the promise of more money on the way.
Mr Evans added: “Grantham managed to raise £30,000 in two years. If we can raise that amount by Christmas I will be happy.”
A six-camera system, costing £126,000, has also been approved for Bourne. A survey of one in 10 people is also being undertaken to find out public opinion on CCTV within the town.
A Stamford man is recovering from injuries after he confronted two men he believed were stealing cats on the Rutland Heights estate.
Following the attack, police have warned owners to keep their pets in at night.
Mark Hargrove (27), of Bramble Grove, heard a car outside his house last Thursday night.
He said: “I’d just gone to bed and I heard someone say ‘just throw it in’. I looked out of the window and saw two men get into a black Mercedes-Benz estate and drive off.
“A couple of minutes later I heard the car drive by really slowly. I decided to get up and follow it around the estate.”
The car stopped in Primrose Way, and he saw one of the men get out and walk slowly towards a cat.
He said both his sister and mother had recently lost cats, and thinks thieves could be causing the problem.
“I lost control and tackled him. His colleague got out out of the car and pulled me off.”
Mr Hargrove said he was grabbed by the hair and his head was hit against the road before the men left. He had a black eye and a graze to his face.
Proposed reductions in the drink-driving limit have been greeted with caution by Stamford and District Licensed Victuallers’ Association.
Rural pubs, which rely on passing trade, could be hit by the reduction proposed by the European Union transport commission, but LVA chairman Jim Battersby thinks the only effect will be a change in what people
drink.
He said: “People will still drive to a nice village pub, because it is something people like to do. All that will change is that they will be drinking soft drinks rather than pints, which is something that is already happening.
“I can’t see why, though, they don’t just ban drinking and driving altogether. At least people will know where they stand.”
Under the proposals, the limit will be about one pint of beer, or a glass-and-a-half of wine. That is equal to 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The move has been welcomed by Lincolnshire Police. A spokesman said: “Any reduction in the drink-drive limit is welcome, but what we would say is that if you know you are going to drive, then do not drink. That way you know you are safe.”
50 years ago
September 29, 1972
Danger lurks for children at Stamford swimming pool … but still there are no moves to step up safety.
Pool manager Mr Neville Wade warned earlier in the summer that it was only a matter of time before a youngster drowned.
And anxious parents have phoned the Mercury worried about their children’s safety at the pool.
At the centre of the trouble is the handrail which is fixed to the side of the baths.
Mr Wade says there have been dozens of incidents where youngsters have trapped arms and legs … and it was just as well someone was around to free them.
A boy broke an arm last year and only two months ago another boy’s head had to be held above the water as he was freed during a Priory College swimming session.
The plea being made by some parents and Mr Wade is for the handrail to be moved nearer the side so that arms and legs cannot be trapped.
But, on Tuesday, the borough council decided to take no action over the handrail.
Coun D. R. C. Flack, chairman of the markets and general amenities committee, explained the decision.
“The rails are there for one purpose only – for swimmers to hold on to, not as a means of leaving the pool,” he said.
“The only possible way of being trapped is if the children are fooling around near the handrail.
“The staff have been told to look-out for this and stamp it out.”
Mr Flack said the cost of taking action would run into four figures.
A High Street bank was facing a security scare this week as Monday’s opening of the Stamford pedestrian precinct drew near.
Lloyd’s is worried that vans carrying big money loads will not be allowed up to their doors.
And the bank which is the only one affected are asking the police to issue special passes for the delivery vans.
A spokesman said: “The vans visits are kept hush hush. We don’t even know until the last moment when the vans will be calling. Obviously they don’t want to be stranded outside the precinct.”
Priceless historic remains have been wrecked in a wave of vandalism at Stamford’s ancient St Leonard’s Priory.
The damage is caused by hooligans who break into the building and go on a ransacking spree.
Local archaeology enthusiast Mr Garry Till told the “Mercury”: “Eighteen months of work were ruined in a week, not long ago – and the problem goes on.
“From a financial point of view the remains are worthless. But from a historic angle they are priceless.”
The 1200-year-old Priory, which the Borough Council want to use as the town’s museum, is used for storing many of Stamford’s archaeological finds.
But the wreckers have:
- Defaced stonework by scrawling slogans on it
- Strewn some of the valuable remains over the floor
- Smashed others against the wall
- Broken some of the finds with pick-axes.
100 years ago
September 29, 1922
Jumble Sale Followed By Dance – The funds of the Stamford Athletic Football Club should be considerably augmented as a result of a jumble sale held at the Red Triangle Hut on Thursday. The arrangements were made by the energetic secretary (Mr. W. Bates), and those who helped at the sale were Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. and Miss Smith, Mrs. Wise, Mrs. Banks, Miss Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Hardingham, Mr. W. Medwell, Mr. Chappel and Mr. Green. In the evening a dance was held. The M.C.s were Mr W. Medwell and Mr. T. Burr. The music as provided by Mr. H. Jones’ orchestra.
A meeting of the Board of Guardians for Stamford was held on Monday, the Marquess of Exeter (chairman) presiding.
A letter was received from the Rev. J. H. Bellhouse, Rector of Tinwell, resigning his position as chaplain
of the workhouse. Mr. B. Reedman tendered his resignation as collector of the poor
rate for the parishes of All Saints’, St. Michael’s, and St. George’s, and it was resolved to place on record an expression of their appreciation of his services as rate collector.
The Clerk presented the estimates for the ensuing half-year, showing that for purely poor law purposes a rate of 9d. in the pound would be required. This was a reduction of 2d. in the pound on the previous rate and a reduction of 3d. on that of the corresponding period of last year.
In addition to the rate of 9d., the Clerk said that County Council calls would have to be met as follows: Northants 2s. 2d. (no alteration); Rutland, 1s. 10d. (a reduction of ½d.); Hunts., 3s. 3d. (a reduction of 1d.). The Clerk said he had not yet been notified of the rates required by the Kesteven and Soke of Peterborough County Councils. There was a special county call on Collyweston of £56, for the school, and this would make the rate there higher.
Bourne
Property Market – At the Angel Hotel, on Thursday, Messrs. Richardson offered for sale the Counthorpe Lodge Farm containing 279a. 2r. 17p. (vacant possession), together with farm house and two labourers’ cottages. The property was withdrawn at £3800. Messrs. Cranfield and Wheeler, of St. Ives, were the solicitors.
Marked Pegs in Basket – At the police court, on Thursday, James H. Sharpe, of Folkingham, labourer, admitted stealing thatch pegs, the property of his employer, Mr. C. T. C. Read, of Laughton, on September 12th, and of the value of 9d. Thatch pegs had been missed, and on the day in question two which Mr. Read had marked were found in defendant’s basket broken up. Defendant, in reply to the chairman, said that he had served four years in the Army. He was bound over for three months in £20.
150 years ago
September 27, 1872
At a committee meeting of the Stamford Town Council on Wednesday evening, to consider a recommendation from the Lincolnshire Chamber of Agriculture that markets and fairs for cattle be suspended for six weeks, it was determined, that as the foot-and-mouth disease is passing away, and as the only cases of rinderpest which have occurred in England have been confined to a narrow area about 150 miles distant, it is not desirable at present to prohibit the movement of cattle in this district.
Stamford Union – Very few Guardians attended the Board meeting on Wednesday. The number of inmates continues low - 120 against 137 in the corresponding week of last year; and the cost of out-relief is less by £8 10s. 4d on a comparison of the two weeks. Only ten casuals were received in the tramp wards last week. The Clerk reported that he had received from the City of London Union an order, signed by three of the City Aldermen, for the payment of £39 8s. 9d. as the cost of maintenance for one year of Hannah Bird, a pauper lunatic, and 14s. a week for her future maintenance. It is alleged the settlement of the pauper, who has been three years in Stope Asylum, is at Collyweston; and as the Guardian of that parish was not present the subject was deferred for a week. Another case caused a little surprise. A woman from West Deeping, who applied for relief, stated that some of her bedding, blankets, coverlids, and other articles had been destroyed by parish officers, in consequence of a person having died of small pox in her house and that she could get no indemnity for her loss. It was stated that the Board has recommended the burying of some of the articles, but with the understanding that the owner would be compensated. The Clerk said the Board could not give compensation in this case; though if the matter had occurred some weeks later the Public Health Act would have authorised an indemnity. All the members of the Board present thought the parish of West Deeping ought, by subscription, to reimburse the poor woman for the destruction of her property.
Accidents on the Bourn and Spalding Railway – On Saturday last two accidents happened on the line of railway between Bourn and Spalding. The train due at Bourne at 4.5 p.m. from Spalding ran though, and smashed two of the gates which protect the crossing known as the Long Drove crossing. The train on that day arrived at the gates about 10 minutes before its proper time, and the gates not being open the engine of course ran through them. Another accident happened to the last train to Spalding at night, which should start from Bourn at 6.25, but which did not leave until 7 o’clock. It was very dark at the time; and as two men were removing 10 horses belonging to Mr. Shotbolt over an occupation crossing, one of the horses ran up the line, followed by two others and a foal: a nag horse, for which it is said Mr Shotbolt had been offered £150, and a foal, valued at about £30, were run over and killed. The two other animals which were upon the line at the time of the accident ran up as far as the Long Drove crossing, and escaped injury. In neither case was there any material damage done to the train, not any personal injury sustained.
200 years ago
September 27, 1822
The plan of lighting Stamford with gas proceeds with as much rapidity as due caution in the measure will admit. The subscription is full. At a meeting at the town-hall on Thursday evening the 19th inst., Mr. Weston, the original projector, was directed to furnish the necessary specifications, &c. We understand that applications from gentlemen of Wisbech and some other towns have been made, for information of the plans to proceed at Stamford.
On Monday last, the publicans’ licensing day for this borough, five new licences were granted, in addition to the old ones renewed; making 46 for the borough, besides eight in St. Martin’s, Stamford Baron.
A further dividend of ten-pence is advertised in the bankruptcy of Bellairs and Son, late bankers at Stamford; making, with a former dividend, a total payment of 3s, 4d. in the pound. The number of bank creditors under the commission, we understand, is about 3000; and the ten-pences to be paid, according to the printed receipts prepared, will amount to a considerable sum – 5 persons will have to receive ten-pences to the amount of between £100 and £200 each, (so that the sum proved by each must have been from £2400 to £4800;) 9 will have to receive between £50 and £100, 48 between £20 and £50, 60 between £10 and £20, 263 between £2 and £5; and 2500 persons will have to receive ten-pences not amounting in each case to £2 on the sums proved.
On Thursday the 19th inst. William Duffey, an itinerant vender of confectionery articles, &c. and well known in this neighbourhood, was committed for trial at the ensuing sessions, on a charge of stealing on that evening 15 yards of linen cloth from the shop of Mr. F. Butt, draper, of this place.
On Monday last, Charles Dixon and William Nickolls, two youths of St. Martin’s, were convicted before the magistrates of this borough, under the Act 1 Geo. 4, c.56, of taking grapes from a tree before the house of Mr. Reed, chief constable, and each offender paid 10s. for damages and expenses.
Considerable alarm having been created among the common-carriers throughout the kingdom, in consequence of their supposing themselves, by the late Act of Parliament, liable to take out a licence, we think it necessary to state, that no carrier conveying passengers is liable to pay the mileage who does not travel at the rate of so much as three miles an hour.
To be Let,
(With the privilege of Brewing their own supply)
All that old and well-known Inn, the Bull, situate in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, together with Brewhouse, Granary, Close, and Stabling for upwards of 50 horses, and every convenience for the accommodation of gentlemen travellers and others.
For particulars enquire of Mr. Thomas Sharpe, of Market Deeping aforesaid. None need apply but such as can give good testimonials as to character, &c.
The present tenant is under notice to quit at New Michaelmas. All letters must be post paid, or no attention will be paid to them.
Market Deeping, Sept. 11, 1822.
On Wednesday the 11th inst. a fish of the salmon species, and called a hook-bill salmon, was caught in the river Nene, about two miles from the town of March. It weighed upwards of 16lbs., and measured 42 inches.
On Monday last a match was run on the race-course at Rockingham Shire, for 30 guineas, Mr. Barker’s black mare Skyscraper against Mr. Lenton Ward’s Galloway. This race excited much interest in the neighbourhood, and was won by the mare.