News from the Stamford Mercury archives

A partially-sighted skier is nearing her dream of qualifying for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games after a Mercury appeal brought in £5,000 of sponsorship money.

Jade Etherington, 20, was born with Axenfield’s syndrome, a genetic condition that causes fluid blockages in the eye and can lead to total blindness.

In June the Mercury spotlighted Jade and the appeal she was making for sponsorship to help her attend ranking competitions and buy new equipment.

Since then a range of generous sponsors have donated £5,000 to Jade’s cause.

The money has been well spent on some top-of-the-range skis which have given a fantastic boost to her quest to compete at the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia.

Jade said she was very grateful to everyone who had helped so far.

“Thank you all for the fantastic help,” she said.

“I would never have been to compete or train this season without the money raised through the Mercury article.”

Jade and her guide Fiona Gingell started the winter season in great form, winning six medals in six races.

A councillor is hoping his bright idea could give Stamford’s high street a push in the right direction.

South Kesteven district councillor John Nicholson wants to offer shoppers a trolley to help carry their purchases in the town centre.

He envisages the trolleys would be provided in the Cattle Market car park and would be funded by the district council.

The cost of the scheme has not yet been worked out.

Coun Nicholson (Con) approached all the shops in High Street and Ironmonger Street on Wednesday with the idea of introducing shopping trolleys.

He put forward his idea to the cabinet in November and was asked to come back with feedback from the retailers.

He is intending to approach the council again before the end of January.

Coun Nicholson, who represents Thurlby ward and is chairman of the communities policy development group, said: “I spoke to a lot of shop owners and managers and the feedback so far has been very encouraging.

“I think it would be something that can help the high street compete with the retail parks and supermarkets because people would be able to buy more bulky items.”

People who would normally spend Christmas alone enjoyed a turkey dinner with nearly 60 new friends.

Alison Pettitt and her husband Philip organised the Christmas Day meal at Bourne Abbey Church hall for the sixth year running.

She normally caters for between 40 and 50 people and this year, she had just under 60 people tuck into a melon starter, turkey and all the trimmings and Christmas pudding.

There was coffee, mince pies and a cheeseboard for everyone to enjoy. Everyone who attend also gets a gift and a packed tea to take home.

Mrs Pettitt said: “Every year it gets better. It is nice to think that those people had a nice day instead of sitting alone.”

Mrs Pettitt thanked all her helpers.

25 years ago

December 27, 1996

Champagne corks were popping in a Stamford household on Christmas day after lucky Christine Spires won a VIP shopping trip at Morrisons.

The mum to eight children was amazed when she received a phone call from the Mercury informing her she had won our competition, after her 11-year-old daughter Helen wrote to Morrisons nominating Christine.

To mark her win Christine and Helen were whisked off to the newly refurbished Morrisons store in Stamford a white limousine given £100 to spend and lunched in the new cafe before being chauffeur-driven back to their home in Garden Close.

Christine said: “We both had a wonderful day. We have a very large family – there are nine of us altogether so I spent the money on luxury items such as chocolates, biscuits and a huge gammon ham – things that we can’t normally afford.”

Christine (35) was nominated by Helen for being such a great mum, and no-one could argue with that.

Every morning she is up by 5am to prepare seven lunch boxes for the children who still live at home, and to do all the housework before her husband Richard gets in from his nightshift at Newage.

Campaigners held a candle-lit vigil outside Bourne Hospital on Monday.

The peaceful demonstration, organised by Save Bourne Hospital Action Group, was the latest action in the protest against proposed plans by Lincolnshire Health Authority to close the hospital.

The public joined hospital staff and action group committee members who stood outside the hospital from midday to midnight.

Supporters stood near the entrance and sang carols during the 12-hour vigil.

Organiser and action group committee member Julie Brutnell said: “In the run up to the vigil I had a lot of people stop me in the street and ask about it and whether they could join in.

“The fight to save the town’s hospital has struck a chord with people in the town and shows the strong feeling. They want to keep Bourne Hospital open. The vigil was a peaceful and symbolic gesture against the closure.”

A new crime-beating initiative between Oakham teenagers and the police, which mixes theatre and comedy, has proved so successful it looks likely to go on tour.

In an effort to reduce the number of pensioners who fall foul of bogus callers, Oakham Young Voice recently visited The Lodge, the sheltered housing complex, to act out the crime-prevention message.

The youth group performed two short plays on the right and wrong ways to respond to strangers who come calling at the home.

So successful were the teenagers in getting the message across to 28 pensioners that plans are now being drawn up to take the presentation to other sheltered housing complexes and homes for the elderly throughout Rutland.

Young Voice members and actors in the presentation Luke Simpson (16), Nina Young (15) and Leon Butlin (14) are also hopeful of funding for a new venture that would provide pensioners with hand-held personal alarms.

PC Steve Parker, a Leicestershire police youth involvement officer, said: “This is the first time young people have tried to get a message across in this way and as well as getting the two generations together in a positive way the crime prevention and home security message went down extremely well.

“In fact in the New Year we plan to take the presentation throughout the Rutland area.”

50 years ago

December 31, 1971

Despite the pre-Christmas reminders to drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving, Lincolnshire police are afraid their advice fell on deaf ears.

They believe that when the figures for the Christmas period are released shortly they will show an increase, and not a hoped for decrease, in the number of positive breathalyser tests taken on the county’s drivers.

“There were quite a number of people stopped after accidents and given breath tests, which proved positive,” said Supt. G. Makeham, deputy officer in charge of the traffic division at the county police headquarters in Lincoln.

And he added that he thought that the final figures for the tests would show an increase on last year’s.

“This goes to show that some people did not take the care on the roads that they should have been taking,” said the superintendent.

Chairman of Stamford magistrates, Mr T. D. Ross, retired last week after over 30 year’s service as a Justice of the Peace.

He was appointed a magistrate in 1937 and was elected vice chairman of the bench in 1950, taking over the chairmanship from the late Major Bernard Edinborough in 1956.

Tributes to Mr Ross were made at the beginning of the court and at a reception afterwards.

The new chairman, Mr Ken Roberts, said that few people realised just how much Mr Ross had done behind the scenes to help people who have appeared before the court.

“I know that with his retirement will end a period of administration of justice in Stamford reflecting very much his character.

“The theme of that administration has been scrupulous fairness and a desire to assist others.”

Five employees of Williamson Cliff Ltd, of Stamford, were presented with gold watched for 25 years’ service on Thursday.

They were Mr T. H. Croft, Mr S. Downs, Mr A. J. Rosling, Mr G. Mason and Miss Audrey Perkins.

The men were presented with the watches at a ceremony by the chairman of the company (Mr T. D. Ross).

Also at the presentation were Mr R. A. Callow, a director and secretary of the company, one of the joint managing directors (Mr A. J. F. Banks) and director Mr A. E. Whitwell.

Miss Perkins, of Casterton Road, Stamford, who has dealt with the firm’s wages for 25 years, was earlier presented privately with her watch by Mr Ross.

Mr Mason, of York Road, Stamford, has had a variety of jobs during his time with the firm.

“He’s a Jack of all trades,” said Mr Ross. Among the jobs Mr Mason has done for Williamson Cliff are loco driving and working in the clay pit.

Mr Downs, of Glen Crescent, Stamford, has also had a varied career – brick-making, working in the clay pit, loco driving, and working on the kiln gang.

Mr Crofts, who now lives at Waverley Gardens, Stamford, spent 16 years working in the clay pit, where he began his career with the company. He now works feeding the grinding pan.

100 years ago

December 30, 1921

Little Holiday Excitement

The Christmas festival passed off very quietly here, and though efforts on the part of the beneficently-disposed had not been lacking to ensure the introduction of some of the ordinarily infectious gaiety of the season in the lives of those affected by trade depression the occasion was overcast by the gloom that had so long existed in industrial circles. Apart from a few football matches on Monday and Tuesday there were no popular outdoor assemblies, and the bulk of people spent the time in the comfort of the family circles. Cold winds prevailed during the holiday, and there was some rain, but generally speaking the weather was fine though not altogether seasonable.

The Religious Aspect was fittingly observed on Sunday at the various places of worship, where tasteful decorations had been effected and the services were of a bright and festal nature. Carols were sung at several churches. An innovation was made at St. Mary’s, Stamford, where a realistic representation of the Nativity was erected in one of the recesses in the Lady Chapel. The six figures in the group had been made and clothed, the back scenery painted, and the whole arranged by Miss Erskine. It is to remain until Candlemas.

The Decline of the Christmas Card. The experience of the Stamford postal authorities is that the form of Christmas greeting tends more and more each year to be in the nature of small presents, with the consequent decline in the sending of greeting cards. This year, very few cards were sent, and the number of the larger kind of parcel was much less than formerly.

At the close of his fifty-third year of business at 27, High-street, Stamford, H. N. Fisher thanks his many friends and customers for their kind patronage during that long period. (Advt.)

Bourne. Fifty-Six Years With One Firm – Messrs. T. W. Mays and Sons, Ltd., have presented Mr. Thomas Ringham with a silver cup bearing the following inscription: “Presented to Thomas Ringham by Messrs.T. W. Mays and Sons, Ltd., in recognition of 56 years’ faithful service.” Mr. Ringham had practically a life-long association with the firm, commencing at the time that the grandfather of the two present principals was taking an active interest in it. He had seen great developments in the business, mainly due to the energies of Messrs. T. W. and G. H. Mays. From one of the lowest positions, Mr. Ringham had risen by application and consistent service to foreman. He achieved the distinction of an expert skin dresser. His work terminated in October last, when he left Bourne to reside in Colsterworth, where his son had taken a motor business.

A Fine Return – The annual meeting of the Liberal Sick and Dividing Club was held on the 22nd inst., when Mr. G. W. Parker presided. The balance sheet was the best in the history of the club, and the dividend of 24s. 6d. for a contribution of 6d. per week, it is believed, constitutes a record for the district. Sick pay absorbed only £5 2s., whilst the normal subscription is 6d. per week, members have an option to pay 3d. per week, or a multiple of 6d. Three members on the highest scale took 49s. each, 43 took the ordinary dividend, and six were on the half scale. All the officers were re-elected, and several new members were enrolled.

150 years ago

December 29, 1871

The re-opening of All Saints’ church, Stamford, on Thursday next will be signalised by the re-opening of the organ also, which has received some material additions, and is now pronounced to be a splendid instrument for both tone and power. The morning sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Lincoln.

We are requested to state that on and after Monday next the 1st of January, the Stamford Penny Bank will be held at Browne’s Hospital, in the lower hall.

A general meeting of shareholders in the Stamford Club was held on Tuesday last, at which the rules for the government of the establishment were revised and settled. A proposal to admit non-shareholders as members on payment of a subscription of two guineas a year was out-voted, the feeling of the majority (about 30 were present) being that it will be better to restrict the membership to those who hold shares. At the conclusion of the business the club was declared open, and immediately the three new billiard tales were occupied by players, who pronounced the tables to be of excellent manufacture, and in every respect as good as could be desired.

At a meeting of the Watch Committee of the Stamford Town Council on the 22d inst., the lists of persons usually excused from the payment of rates were produced and passed; tenders for the supply of police clothing were ordered to be obtained; and it was resolved to advertise for a fresh police constable in the place of Beharrel, who had been suspended by the superintendent for neglect of duty.

Christmas-day in Stamford Union-house was thoroughly enjoyed by the inmates, who expressed themselves grateful to the Guardians for the liberal dinner of roast beef and plum pudding, with an allowance of ale, which was provided for them. The beef was of the primest quality, well cooked, and the repast was put on the tables in a manner which was highly creditable to the management. Young and old were waited upon by members of the families of some of the Guardians.

“Ask for a pound of butter, and see that you get it” is an expression that may smack of quackery, yet it conveys sound advice. On Friday last Supt. Ward, accompanied by some of this bright-buttoned subordinates, and provided with standard weights and scales, visited the butter-market, striking terror to the hearts of vendors, and making seizures; while of more than one big basket it may be said that “like a guilty thing” “in haste is shrunk away and vanished.” When the by-laws now in force were submitted to the Secretary of State he declined to sanction one for regulating the sale of butter; thus short-weight lumps can no longer be confiscated, and the police have had to return their recent captures, But fortunately the public can be protected against the careless or dishonest seller, though in a less summary fashion: if a certain weight be asked for and the commodity sold be represented as of that weight, then if there is a deficiency the vendor will be liable to be indicted for fraud, or to an action in the County Court.

200 years ago

December 28, 1821

Not since the year 1807 has so great a flood been known in this part of the kingdom as was experienced on Tuesday and Wednesday last. The damage done by it, we lament to say, is extensive in the fens, the banks of the rivers and drains having in some situations given way. On Tuesday the river Glen bank broke at a short distance from Guthram Cote, and in consequence the fen is inundated from Tongue End (near Bourn) to Pinchbeck-Six-Houses (some distance East of Spalding). On Wednesday the turnpike-road near Spalding toll-bar was overflowed by the river Welland, a tunnel having blown up. The whole country was in great alarm, and numbers of men were employed in what is provincially called cradging (strengthening banks with hurdles, stakes, &c.), and endeavouring to stop the progress of the waters.

A very respectable commercial traveller with whom we conversed yesterday, assures us that the manufacturers in the Northern counties never were in much full employ as at this time. They have a quick and excellent trade with Hamburgh, by means of steam-packets - frequently selling their goods and receiving remittances for them in the short space of fourteen days.

We stated in our paper of the 12th October the overturning of the Lincoln coach in Bourne town street, by which accident the coachman, Joseph Brightmore, had a thigh broken, and was otherwise much injured. It is rather remarkable that the horse (a very fine spirited animal) which occasioned the overturning of the coach, should in the last week have broken one of its own thighs, and died in consequence thereof. We are sorry to learn that the poor man still lies confined to his bed at Bourn (though every possible attention to his wants have been administered), and that it was only a few days ago that he was capable of being removed in order to change the linen and adjust the bed. As his case is a compound fracture, but little hopes are entertained of his speedy recovery.

At the audit for the Duke of Bedford’s half year’s rents due at Michaelmas, held at Wansford on Friday last, an average return of 18 per cent. was made to the tenants upon their year’s rents. The allowance varied from 15 to 20 per cent. according to the terms upon which the farms are held.

Cottesmore, seldom behind hand, is now enjoying its full share of eclat. The Lowther family by their bounty and liberality, lay claim to many
benedictions.

The Right Hon. Lady Ann Noel gave to the poor and small tradespeople of North Luffenham on Monday last two fat oxen weighing 92 stone, and 210 quartern loaves of white bread; “with,” as our informant expresses it, “a draught of good old ale to regale themselves withal.” The poor had previously received a large present of coals as usual from the Rector, and are now partaking of the benefit of a clothing charity from the same source.