Mercury Memories looks back over the years
10 years ago
A petition protesting about cars passing each other on pavements in Stamford town centre will go before county councillors next month,
Concerned people living in St Mary’s Place in Stamford organised the petition called Pavements are for People because they are concerned about cars passing each other on the pavements or parking on the kerb.
During April and May it was signed by more than 800 people.
The signatures were collected by volunteers in St Mary’s Place and petitions at the Little Surgery, St Mary’s Medical Centre, Stamford Town Hall, St Mary’s Church and at nearby shops.
The petition was presented to Lincolnshire County Council’s highways team and it will be considered by the county council’s planning committee on November 1.
Liz Heesom, of St Mary’s Place, Stamford, said she wants to see a forum created between the highways officials, Stamford Town Council and Stamford Civic Society to reach a solution to the problem.
She said: “Everyone in St Mary’s Place is very anxious to see something happening and we are pleased that things seem to be moving forward.
“Pavements are being encroached on by cars and it is dangerous for pedestrians, which is something a lot of people feel worried about.”
A swan has been released back into the River Welland in Stamford after recovering from lead poisoning.
Stamford RSPCA officer Justin Stubbs was helped by 10-year-old Archie Wheeler to release the male bird into the river on Friday.
Mr Stubbs was called to help the swan, which has been nesting in the area for 10 years, in July after receiving reports that it was unwell on the River Welland.
Since then it has been recuperating at the East Winch Animal Centre in King’s Lynn.
Mr Stubbs said: “Hopefully it will rejoin its mate and their cygnets. It’s a real happy ending because he was quite sick.
Archie, 10, was invited after raising £188 for the RSPCA by selling brownies and homemade lemonade outside his home in St Mary’s Street, Stamford.
Mr Stubbs said: “We were really pleased that Archie took it upon himself to raise that money.”
The pair also released 14 ducks back into the river.
A hospital’s shabby children’s area will be getting a makeover thanks to a donation from a community group.
Stamford Hospital will be able to extend and improve its children’s area after receiving a donation from Stamford and District Round Table.
Plans for the make-over includes a mural by artist Tina Firkins with help from RAF Cranwell and work is due to start with the next few weeks.
Matron and hospital manager Sue Brookes is thrilled with the donation to revamp the area for younger patients and visitors.
She said: “Lots of children use the area and over the years it has become a bit shabby and worse for wear.
“We intend to enlarge the children’s area and this very kind donation will enable us to provide more furniture and toys to keep the children amused while they are waiting.
“On behalf of everybody at Stamford Hospital, I would like to say thank you to everybody at Stamford Round Table and at RAF Cranwell who are making the revamp possible.”
25 years ago
Rabbits sitting long the region’s roads may think themselves lucky they only have traffic to contend with. For their whiskered cousins enjoying the last days of summer in Ketton are facing a greater wrath.
The village’s sports association is calling for drastic measures to curb the damage done to the cricket pitch and bowling green by the burrowing bunnies,
Steward at the Pit Lane complex and former groundsman John Bird said: “We really want to shoot them. Myxomatosis used to keep them at bay until a couple of years ago, but the rabbits are making a come back.
“They dig holes in the cricket pitch and have even moved to the bowling green, There must be well over 50 of them.
“It’s causing a lot of problems because before a match can start our three groundsmen have to repair the damage.”
He sees the only solution as a two foot rabbit mesh put in the hedges around the pitch and green.
The traditional method of ferreting, Mr Bird said, would be ineffective since the rabbits no longer live in burrows, but on the surface.
Residents in South Witham and nearby villages have won their long-running battle to ban heavy lorries taking disruptive shortcuts through their streets.
This week Lincolnshire County Council made an order banning lorries over 7.5 tonnes travelling on roads in South Witham, North Witham, Colsterworth, Thistleton and Stainby – marking the end of a campaign which has run for at least four years.
“It will cut down enormously the steady procession of lorries using the villages as a shortcut between the A1 and Melton.
“We quite frequently get lorries going down the High Street at 2am and this will stop them,” said South Witham Parish Council chairman Stephen Miller.
The ban means through lorries will be banned from roads including South Witham High Street but there will still be heavy traffic from Bullimore’s whose vehicles are exempt.
The ban does not cover vehicles maintaining the road, bus services, loading or unloading and agricultural vehicles.
Residents in Sewstern objected to the weight ban proposals because they claim the increased traffic on the Thistleton to Sewstern road, which would carry the diverted traffic, would endanger children’s lives.”
Dogs will soon be banned from four play areas in Rutland and Poop-scoop bylaws, with £500 penalties, introduced for surrounding grass land.
Rutland District Council says the introduction of four bylaws – three for its play areas in Oakham and one in Ketton – is “imminent”.
Play equipment has been fenced off to prevent dogs getting near them while dog owners walking their pets on surrounding recreation land will be expected to “scoop the poop” and dispose of it in bins.
Those caught allowing their dogs in the fenced-off area or not clearing up after their pets could face a £500 fine.
Philip Trow, RDC’s environmental health and housing director, said the proposals for the play areas at Willow Crescent, Glen Drive, Grampian Way, in Oakham, and in Ketton at Wheatlands Close would prove popular.
“We want to ensure children’s safety from dogs and health from their fouling. I think people have realised that this is a good idea and there has not been a single complaint about the plan,” said Mr Trow.
50 years ago
Opposition is mounting in the fight to stop Stamford Borough Council building a £500,000 sewage works near Uffington Road, Barnack.
Chairman of Barnack Parish Council, Mr. D. Dyason said this week that his council would definitely be objecting to the proposals.
There are now seven days left in which objections can be lodged before the Ministry of Housing and Local Government inquiry which is expected to take place within the next few months.
Mr Dyason said he was “very concerned” about the proposed new sewage works.
“Of course, we were pleased when the Borough Council were originally refused planning permission for the works, but before feeling relieved we must wait for the result of the public inquiry,” he said.
When the Borough Council first revealed their plans for the sewage works in 1967, Mr Dyason warned that the villagers would fight the scheme “Tooth and mail”.
“The parish council and the residents of Barnack and Pilsgate have felt very strongly about this from the very beginning.
“We are objecting as a separate body to add to the objections,” continued Mr Dyason. “The people of Barnack and Pilsgate resent this possible intrusion near their villages.”
Since the beginning of the financial year Peterborough and Stamford Hospital Management Committee have overspent by over £25,000.
Members heard, when they met at Bourne Chest Hospital on Monday, that the main overspending was on nursing students at Peterborough District Hospital.
Stamford Hospital are only £1,599 overspent and nearly £1,000 of this is due to under-estimating the cost of medical equipment.
The committee included an amount of £5,758 for this item, but have had to spend £6,755.
Unemployment in Stamford and Bourne has risen by a figure of 38 compared with the same period last year, according to figures issued, on Friday, by the Department of Employment and Productivity.
Figures for the month ending September 14 show an increase in unemployment of eight over the previous month. Total unemployed in the two towns was 310.
Jobs had been found for 38 people during the month, but there were still 175 vacancies.
Market Deeping Cricket and Tennis Club are holding a charity walk tomorrow to help finance the development of a sports centre which will cater for cricket, tennis and hockey.
It will start at 11pm, and the course will cover 20 miles.
The cricket club has been in existence for over 60 years and plays both Saturday and Sunday matches. During the past two years it has had a playing membership of 30 to 40, drawn from Market Deeping and the surrounding area.
The present ground, however, cannot provide suitable facilities to offer to opponents, and some clubs have declined to play matches. The club has now received notice to leave the site.
100 years ago
New Police Superintendent – Supt. Osborn, who has taken over the position lately occupied by Supt. Tebby, at Oundle, was formerly introduced to the magistrates at St. Martin’s petty sessions on Friday. Supt. Osborn has recently been stationed at Kettering.
Rugby Football – At a meeting held on Friday evening final arrangements for the formation of a local Rugby Football Club were made, and the following officers were elected: Treasurer, Mr. R. J. German; secretary, Mr. A. E. Barlow, committee, Messrs F. J. Cummins, Brocklehurst, F. Lenton, A. Grant, and A. G. Grant. It was agreed that the club should be called the Stamford Rugby Club, and that the colours should be gold and blue.
Rose Day – The balance sheet of the Alexandra Rose Day efforts of September 17th and 18th show the receipts totalled £160 13s.9d., including £102 2s. 10d. from boxes, £58 0s. 11d. proceeds of the stalls, and a donation of 10s. After meeting expenses - £1 2s. for advertising, £3 7s. 4d. cost of flags, £2. 5s. for roses, and £3 10s. per centage due to the Alexandra Rose day Executive Committee in London - a balance of £149 16s 5d. remained. The contents of the High School box amounted to £2 14s 2d., and the Grammar School contributions were received in one of the collector’s boxes.
Fire at All Saints’ Church – As the Rev. J. H. Bellhouse was announcing the text of his sermon on Sunday evening at All Saints’ church, an electric wire over the chancel fused, igniting an oak rafter above the ceiling. The benediction was at once pronounced and the congregation left the building. The Fire Brigade, under 2nd Officer G. Grimes, were quickly on the scene with the hose cart, and the steamer followed a few minutes later. Fortunately the outbreak, which was only slight, was out when they arrived, and the efforts of the firemen were directed to making an investigation of the surrounding woodwork. Some years ago an outbreak of fire at this church was caused by a flue igniting. On this occasion no serious damage was occasioned.
Bourne
The new Secondary school opened last week in the temporary buildings of the North-street school. The staff has been brought to full complement by the appointment of Mr. J. H. D. Grinter (son of the vicar), as an assistant master.
In connection with the Abbey church fete a sale of work and social gathering was held in the Vestry-hall on September 22. There was a good attendance. Those assisting included: Mrs. Grinter, Mrs. J. C. Jones, Mrs. Callis Bell, Miss Bell (Austerby), Mrs. A. L. Smith, Mrs. C. A. Smith, Mrs. Galletly, Mrs. J. T. Holmes, Mrs. C. P Matthews, Miss Cross, Miss Lunn, Mrs Chambers, Mrs. Notley, Mrs. Dodd, Mrs. H. J. H. Berry, Mrs. T. Hinson, Mrs. A. Spurr, Mrs. G. Taylor, Mrs. French. Mrs. Leary. Mrs. Mays (Abbey-road), Mrs. T. Hall etc. Amongst those taking part in concerts were Mr. Stafford, Mrs. Galletly, Miss Webster, Miss Todd, Miss P. Smith, Miss M. Scotney, Mr. R. Kettle, Mr. L. Jones, and Mr. C. Fisher. Competitions were arranged by Mr. C. H. M. Baxter, Miss Walker, Mr. J. J. W. Nichols, and Masters J. and L. Nichols. An enjoyable dance was held, the music being supplied by Miss Todd and Miss Bell (pianists), and Miss Webster (violin).
n A New Tractor Exhibit – At the market in Bourne last week Mr. E. Abbott, motor engineer, exhibited for the first time the famous Austin tractor, for which he holds the agency. Immediate delivery can be secured of the Austin.
150 years ago
We have been requested to state that the re-opening of Whittering church has been fixed for the 20th of October next. The fabric has undergone very extensive restoration, and its internal appearance at the opening will present a striking and pleasing improvement. The structure contains some rather rude but interesting Saxon work.
Harvest Thanksgiving – On Thursday evening the 22d inst. A large congregation attended divine service at Stibbington church, where an impressive discourse was delivered by the Rector. The taste displayed by the ladies in the parish in decorating the church was corn, flowers, evergreens, and various scriptural mottos was very artistic, and was greatly admired. At the close of the service £8 2s. 3d. was collected. About a fortnight ago £10 7s. 9d. was collected in the above church, and remitted to the society for the sick and wounded in the war.
A Juvenile Missionary Meeting has been inconsiderately fixed for Monday next at S. Michael’s school-room. In the face of the prevailing epidemic, which has been fearfully fatal, parents should be cautious.
A serious accident happened to a trolleyman named Thos. Kirby at the Midland railway station in Stamford on Saturday last. He was acting as “shunter” in the place of the regular shunter, who was away on leave of absence, and had been coupling a waggon to some others attached to an engine, when the engine moved on just as he was getting from between the waggons, and one of his legs was run over and frightfully crushed. He was taken to the Infirmary, and the part was amputated. He is progressing favourably.
A special meeting of the Assessment Committee of the Stamford Union was held on Tuesday last: present, Lord Kesteven (in the chair), and Messrs. Fysh, Lowe, Close, Bromhead, Paradise, and Greenwood. Appeals against the re-assessment of Pickworth parish were made by Messrs. Grieves, Adams, Dawson, and Eayres, and in each case a reduction was made. One of the appellants complained bitterly of the raising of the rents in that parish, which, he said, had been put up to such a pitch that it was impossible he could realise a profit after his landlord had been paid; and he presented the case in a stronger light by showing that be had by the employment of capital converted the land from a barren to a kindlier soil, although the experience of this season, owing to the drought, was very disheartening. The assessments were respectively reduced to 23s. and 24s. gross annual value. An appeal by the parish officer of St. John’s against some small reductions made at the previous meeting was not listened to, it being stated that the assistant overseer ought to have been present when the cases were heard. The assessment of the Bull & Swan in St. Martins was reduced from £35 to £30, on the application of the landlord, who stated there is very little custom to the house, and that a part of the premises had been separately assessed.
J. W. Mellor, Esq., revising barrister for the parts of Kesteven, attended at the Town-hall, Stamford, on Wednesday last and revised the lists of voters for the parishes of All Saints, St. George, St. Mary, St. Michael, and St. John, and for Uffington and Casewick. Only one claim was made for the borough. It was by Mr. Wm. Thompson for houses in succession in All Saints’ parish: allowed.
200 years ago
At a very numerous meeting of the trustees of the five turnpike roads leading from this borough, held yesterday, (the Mayor in the chair), the care and management of the roads were unanimously placed in the hands of Mr. James McAdam as general surveyor, on the motion of Edw. Brown, Esq. seconded by the Marquis of Exeter.
We hear that the Committee of the Rutland Industry Society, at a late meeting of the Magistrates at Empingham, presented a piece of silver plate to the Rev. Thos. Foster, their venerable treasurer, in testimony of their grateful sense of his long and faithful discharge of that office, as well as of their high esteem for his character.
On Tuesday an elegant dinner was given at the town-hall, by Jas. Torkington, Esq., to a party of upwards of 100 of his friends, on the occasion of his election to the office of Town-Clerk of this borough.
The general prices of cheese at Northampton fair on Tuesday se’nnight, were from 56s. to 63s. per cwt. A very flat sale, and several fine lots taken away unsold.
We have received from Newark some censorious remarks on the account given last week of the cricket-match between the Grantham and Newark clubs. We are sorry to observe the disputes to which these matches give rise, and we deem it friendly to decline publishing the ill-natured things that may be said on either side.
Workhouse to let.
Wanted, a proper Person to undertake the Maintenance and Management of the Poor of the Parish of Bourn and the Hamlets thereof, for 3 years, commencing at Michaelmas, the 10th day of October next, at a certain sum per head per week.
Any person willing to contract for the same, who can be properly recommended and give security to the said parish for the due performance of his contract, may send in Proposals to the Overseers of the Poor on or before the 10th day of October, or attend at a Vestry to be holden on that day, in the afternoon, for the purpose of contracting for the same.
Any person who can employ the poor people in some manufacturing business will be preferred.
By Order, Rich’d Woulds, Vestry clerk.
Bourn, Sept. 15th, 1820.
Died.
On Sunday last, in this place, Sarah relict of the late Wm. Moore, Esq. Of Wisbech. Whilst attending divine service at St. Michael’s church in the afternoon, she was seized with a fit, and being carried to her home, died a few hours afterwards.