News from Rutland, Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings in years gone by

July 20, 2012

Residents say Stamford Cemetery is a “disgrace” with overflowing litter bins and overgrown grass.

Eileen Dunkley, 64, of Scotgate, Stamford, and Lorna Lewthwaite, of Mountbatten Avenue, Stamford, have contacted the Mercury to voice their concerns over the state of the cemetery in Little Casterton Road.

Mrs Dunkley, who has three relatives buried at the cemetery, said she is so upset about it she is considering contacting Stamford MP Nick Boles (Con).

She said it had only been in a bad state of repair since the contract was changed in May.

Mrs Dunkley said: “Before the contract was taken over we had a wonderful cemetery that everyone in Stamford could be proud of.

“But the state of it has really enraged me. I know we have had a lot of rain but how is that an excuse for overflowing bins.

“My parents and grandparents are buried there and they deserve better,”

She said she had written to the chairman of the amenities committee Mike Exton (Con) on several occasions.

Mrs Lewthwaite’s son Andrew who was killed in a motorcycle accident is also buried there.

She said the cemetery was “nothing but a disgrace” and said the family had been forced to increase the amount of maintenance they were doing at Mr Lewthwaite’s grave.

An £800m scheme to upgrade a railway line will have knock-on benefits for commuters.

The Government announced on Monday it had set aside funds for the electrification of the Midland Main Line, which includes services from Leicester to London St Pancras.

The scheme will also see key sections of the route upgraded, such as the line between Sheffield and Bedford.

Journey times will be cut and the Government hopes the scheme will encourage more commuters to use rail services, which will in turn free up space on the roads.

Managing director of East Midlands Trains, David Horne said: “This is a significant announcement which benefits our passengers and the communities we serve.

“Electification will provide a smoother, quieter and quicker ride for passengers, cutting journey times while crucially delivering more capacity to cater for future growth.

Every ambulance station in our area could close as part of plans published on Tuesday by East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The proposals could lead to 66 ambulance stations closing in total, along with 153 standby points which the service, known as Emas, says are in poor condition and are empty most of the time.

Instead there would be 131 tactical deployment points, where amenities for the crews are available, and 13 centralised hubs to support the crews and ambulances.

The ambulance stations in Ryhall Road, Stamford, Station Road in Oakham, South Road in Bourne and in Market Deeping would go.

They would be replaced by tactical deployment points planned locally for Oakham, Stamford, Morton, Market Deeping and Oundle, with the nearest hubs created in Kettering, Leicester and Sleaford.

25 years ago

July 18, 1997

Schools using the Deepings Leisure Centre for free swimming lessons could soon have to pay for them as Lincolnshire County Council tries to save £62,000.

Many schools in the Deepings and Bourne areas use the leisure centre by arrangement with the Deepings School.

Deepings School headteacher Dr David Bryars was angry at the decision.

He said: “This decision has been taken without any consultation from me, and comes at a very difficult time, so close to the end of term. I won’t have time to communicate this decision to the primary schools it affects.

“I’m astonished by the way the decision has been reached, and we shall have to resolve this by funding lessons from our own budgets.”

The county council is also ready to impose price rises for other services in an attempt to balance this year’s budget.

In a meeting of the policy committee members voted to stop free school swimming lessons, increase library fines, and review admission charges for museums and other cultural services venues, to save £1million in the education and cultural services budget. The council is looking for a total saving of £7.2 million.

Strikes will continue at Williamson Cliff, Stamford, until managers agree to negotiate a fair pay settlement for employees, according to the Transport and General Workers Union.

Workers at the refractories and facing bricks firm have been holding a series of strikes over their annual pay review, after they were offered a one per cent increase.

TGWU spokesman John Nolan told the Mercury: “There should have been a wage and conditions review in the early part of this year, but we agreed to postpone it because of the poor economic conditions in the industry at the time. It was decided that we would meet the company again in March, and we believe there has been an improvement in the market since the beginning of the year.

“We would have liked to reach an agreement, but we were offered a one per cent pay increase, which was overwhelmingly rejected by our members.”

A ballot was held and a substantial number voted in favour of industrial action. Intermittent strikes have resulted at the Casterton Road factory over the past few weeks.

The woman behind a project to turn Bourne’s Wake House into a community centre is to appeal to a Paris fashion house for help.

Jean Joyce, who leads the Wake House Steering Group, hopes the House of Worth may be able to help her preserve the building for the town.

The house was the birthplace of Charles Worth, regarded by many as the father of high fashion.

Mrs Joyce said: “Charles Worth was enormously respected in Victorian times, and perhaps the fashion house he founded would be interested in a project to preserve his former home as a centre to be used for the benefit of the people of Bourne.”

Mrs Joyce believes the Grade II listed building could become a hub of the local community, providing a meeting room, display centre, cinema and rehearsal room – and even an internet site for Bourne teenagers.

The building is up for sale at £140,000. The steering group would have to raise the sale price and produce a business plan. The group could then apply for National Lottery funding.

50 years ago

July 21, 1972

A row has blown up over safety at Stamford swimming pool after a 15-year-old boy’s narrow escape from drowning.

David Whittingham was at the pool during a Priory College swimming lesson. He jumped in from the side and his leg caught in the bar surrounding the pool.

His body went into the water but his legs were still out of it, and he was in considerable pain. Some of his friends held him out of the water, whilst his swimming master, Mr David Teall, and the pool attendants, tried to release his leg.

It took five to ten minutes before they were able to release his leg with six-foot crowbars pushing the bar away from David.

And now the incident has sparked off a storm of protest over the council’s delay in getting this bar removed.

Mr N. Wade, the pool manager, reported the bar problem to the council last year, but no action has been taken.

“Something must be done about this bar,” he said, “it is really dangerous. I reported it last year after two youngsters had fractured knees after slipping behind the bar.

“It will only be a question of time before somebody drowns. I suppose then the council will consider doing something about it.”

More than 50 drawing office workers at the Stamford factory of Mirrlees-Blackstone are threatening to strike for more money next month.

The workers, all members of the Engineering Union’s Technical and Supervisory Section, claim they are earning £5 less than their counterparts in other Peterborough area factories.

Trouble over pay started last December when the union pressed for a 25 per cent rise.

Instead they had to accept six per cent and a merit review for over 30’s. An increase for younger workers was delayed.

Since then the workers have pressed in vain for a new deal giving all over 28’s an extra £3 – with about £4.80 for 21-28-year-olds.

After that claim was rejected, workers staged a work to rule which almost crippled production from June 27 to July 10.

It was called off, say union chiefs, after the company threatened to order the workers to leave without further notice.

Now a secret ballot among the drawing office workers has come out in favour of striking from August 15… unless a settlement is reached in the meantime.

Bourne Urban Council voted unanimously last week to become a one-ward town (instead of three wards), when local government reorganisation comes into force.

The council had learned from a Government circular that non-metropolitan district councils with electorates of between 60,000 and 75,000, of one of which Bourne will be part, would have total memberships of between 45 and 55.

On this basis, the Clerk (Mr Frank Mason) said that Bourne will have three or four representatives. The present electorate is 4,807.

The first elections for the new authority will be held on June 7, 1973.

Referring to the one ward decision, Coun Leslie Day, said: “I think that this will lead to more interest being shown in council matters. It will be an excellent thing.”

100 years ago

July 21, 1922

Property and Stock – Seventeen dwelling-houses, two with business premises attached, were offered by auction in eight lots by Messrs. Reedman, Son, and Mason at the Crown Hotel, Stamford, on Friday evening, but only one lot changed hands. This comprised 1, 2 and 3, New-street, which Mr. H Deer bought for £450. Two £100 4½ per cent debentures in Lowe, Son, and Cobbold, Ltd., brewers, realised £80 pe rdebenture, being bought by Mr. Gilbey, Corby. Messrs. English and Son were the vendors’ solicitors.

Fire – A small outbreak occurred in the yard of the Co-operative Society in Wharf-road in the early hours of Friday. Observing the reflection of a fire, R. Smith, an employee at the Gas Works, found that a load of coke in a cart in the yard was on fire. He at once summoned the Fire Brigade, who speedily extinguished the flames. The cart was damaged.

Motor Cycle Wrecked – A collision occurred on Friday between a horse and van belonging to Messrs. Young and Sons, grocers, and a motor cycle and side-car driven by a traveller to Leicester. The van had turned out of St. George’s-square into St. Mary’s-street when the motor combination, proceeding down Maiden-lane, ran on the kerb and crashed into the van broadside. The machine was badly smashed. There was a lady in the side-car, but although the woodwork of that attachment was also damaged she escaped unhurt.

At the police court, on Saturday, Donald Chas. Fairlie, Tinwell-road, Stamford, was charged with driving a motor cycle to the danger of the public on July 3rd, and also failing to stop when requested to by a police officer.

P.s. Fieldsend said defendant drove down All Saints’-street at a speed of from 40 to 45 miles an hour. He signalled him to stop, but Fairlie took no notice.

Defendant now said that his brakes were very powerful and he could have pulled up in two or three yards. He did not see the policeman’s signal.

The Mayor said the police had received many complaints as to defendant’s reckless driving, and he was more than ever convinced that here should be a ten-mile speed limit through Stamford. It was an old town, and there were many dangerous places.

A fine of £2 was imposed for the first offence and £1 for the second.

Guardians and Disability Pensions – Mr. N. W. Wortley presided at a meeting of the Uppingham Board of Guardians on Wednesday, when there were also present Mrs. Hudson, Revs. S. C. Parmiter and A. E. Hutchings, and Messrs. J. M. Northen, J. W. Blood, E. Tyler, R. W. Shelton, C. Bayley, J. Thorpe, C. C.Clarke, W. W. Dudley, H. Samuel, J. G. Tailby, W. Belgrave, T. Shelton, J. Stubbs, J. Jackson, B Mould, G. Haynes, J, Eaton, A. Temple, H. O. Eton.

A letter was read from the Oakham Union enclosing the resolution passed by that Board in connection with the purchase of the Uppingham laundry plant, reported in our last issue. Mr. Northen commented that the resolution did not in any way commit the Oakham Union to the purchase, and the matter was left over pending further communications.

150 years ago

July 19, 1872

The third meeting of the Stamford and Peterborough District Association of Elementary Teachers was held in St. George’s school-room on Saturday last. About 30 members were present. Rules for the government of the association were agreed upon. The age clauses were condemned; and circulars requesting statistics on those points were distributed among the members. Mr. Seabrook, of the Training College, Peterborough, was elected a member of the committee.

The Race Committee, who have been very energetic in their exertions to re-establish Stamford races, which has been threatened with extinction, anticipate some excellent running on Thursday and Friday next, the entries for the stakes which have closed being very good. The letting of the ground or booths took place on Friday evening last, at the George Hotel, Mr. James Richardson being the auctioneer. The White Stand was taken by Mr. Clifton, at £16 10s.; plot 1 was let to Mr. Bainton, at £6 10s.; 2 Mr. Gann, £3; 3, Mr. Hall, £2; 4, Mr. Wingrove, £1; from 5 for stalls only, Mr. Hall, £4; 13, Mr. Loweth, £11; 14, Mr. Wells, £5; 15, Mr. Hall, £1 10s.; total £50 10s.

The Clowns’ cricket match at Stamford attracted immense assemblages in a field on the Wothorpe-road on Monday and Tuesday last. The game was enlivened by the antics of the acrobats while fielding, and by their throwing somersaults at the fall of each wicket. Some of the men in motley played remarkably well, and it was said there were two professional cricketers among them – of course disguised as clowns. The Clowns won the match. Score: Clowns, 142; Stamford eleven, 138.

Stamford Union – At the Board meeting on Wednesday last it was reported that another case of small-pox had occurred at West Deeping, the victim being a youth named Roden, aged 17, who had refused to be vaccinated, and who had entered the cottage where two other small-pox patients resided. It was said the parents of the lad encouraged him in his resistance of vaccination. The inmates of the Union-house numbered 118, being three less than in the corresponding week of last year. Out-relief was given to 750, at a cost of £99 13s. 9½d.; corresponding week of last year 805, at a cost of £98 3s. 8½d.

Billingboro’ – It was currently reported here that a meeting on the labour question would be held on Saturday evening last, but from some cause or other the delegates failed to put in an appearance.

On Friday last a valuable nag horse belonging to Mrs. Michelson, of Pointon, while engaged at work, through some mismanagement unfortunately was killed.

Bourn – The General Johnson Lodge of Odd Fellows in this town celebrated its 29th anniversary of Monday last. There are 119 members, 84 of who (accompanied by the Spalding Rifle Corps band) went in procession to church, where the Rev. Jos. Dodsworth preached. The members and friends, to the number of about 130, afterwards dined in the Corn-exchange, Mr. Skinner, of the Nag’s Head inn, where the club is held, catering. The statement of accounts showed that the receiptsduring the year were £112 0s. 2d.and the payments £95 14s. 8d., leaving a balance in favour of the society of £174 18s. 10d.

200 years ago

July 19, 1822

Early of Sunday morning a servant boy of Mr. Newman, farmer, of Easton, near Stamford, whilst tending corn in the fields, was shot in the face and miserably wounded by the discharge of a gun with which another boy was entrusted. The piece was loaded with peas and beans, and went off whilst under the arm of the lad who held it, in consequence of some others pushing against him.

At Falkingham sessions on Monday last, (before Col. Johnson, M.P. Chairman, the Right Hon. Earl Brownlow, Gen. B. Reynardson, the Rev. T. H. Coles, D.D., Jno. Myers, S. E. Hopkinson, B. V, Layard and W. Potchett, Clerks,) John Stapleford, of Deeping St, James, laborer, was convicted of stealing a winnowing-fan and a hand-saw, the property of Mr. James Parkinson, and sentenced to 7 years’ transportation. Five other indictments were laid by different persons against the prisoner for various depredations committed upon their property. Thos. Fravey, of Stamford, muffin-man, and Elijah Monk, a lad of Stamford, were convicted of stealing a quantity of bones from Dr. Willis’ kennel at Greatford, and sentenced to 3 weeks’ imprisonment each.

John Ring, a discharged soldier, was found in the night of Monday the 8th inst. concealed in the dwelling-house of Wm. Higgins, of Osbournby, labourer, whose family were alarmed by the noise of his entering the window; and on Monday last he was committed to Lincoln Castle, by the Rev. S. E. Hopkinson, Clerk, to take his trial for the offence at the assizes.

At the sessions for the borough of Boston, on Monday last, Thomas Thompson, labourer, was found guilty of stealing two geese from Mr. Wm. Kelsey, of Boston, on the 23d of June last, and sentenced to 12 calendar months’ imprisonment. William Taylor, mariner, for assaulting Mr. John Buckley, mariner, on the 22d of May last, having agreed with the prosecutor, was fined 1s. and discharged, on payment of fees. There was a second indictment against Taylor, for assaulting Mr. Benj. Buckley, on the 22d of May, to which he submitted, and was also fined 1s. with costs. Thos. Harniss, labourer, indicted for uttering counterfeit coin in Boston on the 4th of May last, was on trial acquitted. George Torry, labourer, was found guilty of having in his possession, on the 5th of May last, thirteen counterfeit sixpences, with intent to utter the same, and was sentenced to three calendar months’ imprisonment. Further process was awarded against Ann Farrow, for keeping a disorderly house.

A young lady accustomed to tuition in a large School, (from the Governess of which she can have the most unquestionable character,) wishes for a Situation in a School or family – the former would be preferred. She is competent to teach English, French, Music, Drawing, Geography and the Use of Globes, Writing and Arithmetic. Respectable references will be given and required. Application personally, (or by letter, post paid,) to Mrs. Mills, Stamford, will be duly attended to.