Stamford Hospital and Oakham adventurer Sarah Outen's bid to help tsunami victims in Mercury Memories
The future of Stamford Hospital's in-patient ward was in doubt a decade ago while an adventurer was helping tsunami victims.
Every week we delve into the long archives of the Mercury with the support of the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust.
10 years ago
January 6, 2012
The future of Stamford Hospital’s only in-patient ward is in doubt after bosses admitted they did not know if it would stay open permanently.
The John Van Geest unit reopened on Tuesday after the number of patients admitted to Peterborough City Hospital was higher than average.
The ward was closed for a £97,000 refurbishment in August after four patients contracted a superbug.
Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Trust said at the time the closure would only be temporary. But now it says a decision has not been made on whether to keep the unit open beyond the busy winter period.
Trust interim chief operating officer Clive Walsh said: “Medical bed capacity at Peterborough City Hospital was reduced as a result of higher than average emergency admissions over the Christmas period.
“As part of the trust’s winter pressures escalation plan, John Van Geest ward has been reopened to assist with capacity.
“The ward has reopened with 14 beds and this will be reviewed on a daily basis.”
An adventurer who is travelling the world for charity has spent a week helping victims of a tsunami.
Sarah Outen, 26, from Oakham, finished the first leg of her challenge London2London: Via the World in November when she arrived in Tokyo and is now taking a break over winter before she sets off again.
So far, she has kayaked across the English Channel and cycled 11,000 miles across Europe and Asia.
During her winter break, she visited the Tohoku coast of Japan. The area was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami which struck in March last year and killed more than 1,000 peple.
Sarah spent a weeks with a volunteer group called It’s Not Just Mud. She worked clearing houses, where she vacuumed dust from houses and cleaned the properties to make them ready for carpenters to move in.”
The owners of a cafe say they will remove the canopy at the centre of a long-running argument after losing an appeal to keep it.
Jim Harding and Hannah Darby, who own Cafe Black in High Street, Stamford, appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after they were refused planning permission to keep the canopy on the Grade II listed building.
Mr Harding appealed against the refusal and they both appealed against an enforcement notice issued by South Kesteven District Council asking them to remove the canopy. But the inspectorate upheld the decision by South Kesteven District Council.
Mr Harding said he was disappointed and plans to take down the canopy, which cost £8,000, by the end of the month.
He said: “We hoped the appeal inspector would see sense because people do like to sit outside.
“It is very disappointing that it’s been refused because it has been a waste of money to put it up and it will cost us money to take it down.”
Mr Harding said: “This debate hasn’t affected our customer base and it makes it all worthwhile when you have got a cafe packed full of customers.”
25 years ago
January 3, 1997
Lincolnshire Police are beginning the new year with a clampdown on road tax evaders.
According to the DVLA estimates there are 22,000 unlicensed vehicles in Lincolnshire, involving £2.2 million in lost revenue. And 1,600 of them are in the Stamford and Bourne areas. Police are also concerned at problems linked to road tax evasion, such as having no MoT or insurance.
Lincolnshire Police spokesman Robin Sharpe said: “To tax a vehicle requires a valid MoT, if the vehicles needs one, and an insurance certificate.
“Vehicles that are not taxed often do not have these documents, leading to unsafe vehicles on the road and serious problems with compensation claims should the vehicle be involved in an accident.
“If there is no tax disc, or an incorrect one, it is often a pointer to the criminal use of the vehicle in an effort to disguise its current ownership.”
Council tenants across South Kesteven will pay an extra £3 a week in rent to save the district from a financial crisis – but some services are still likely to be cut.
At a meeting on New Year’s Eve, South Kesteven district councillors agreed to increase rents, although the move will affect less than half of council tenants.
Around 57 per cent of tenants are exempt as they are on housing benefit, and so the Government will be paying the increase.
The rise comes on the back of a proposed increase in the region’s council tax bills. Both increases have been forced by central government budget cuts.
If the proposal to increase rents is rubber-stamped at the full council meeting at the end of the month, the new charges will become effective from April 1 1997.
SKDC treasurer Chris Farmer said: “There was a time when we were going to be out of funds by the year 2000, but with this increase we’ve got a healthier future.”
A new and improved service is being offered to patients at the Glenside Practice, Rippingale.
The improvements were finished in November and the new look building was officially opened just before Christmas by 89-year-old Joyce Williamson – the oldest person living in the village who was also born there.
Dr Martin Webster serenaded the proceedings with a rendition of “The Green Hills of Tyrol” on the
bagpipes.
He said: “The facilities are much better and much more comfortable. There are now comfy seats where there were wooden benches. We’re preparing for the new millenium.”
The surgery now has a practice nurse three morning a week and offers clinics in diabetes, asthma, travel vaccinations and acupuncture. The entire building has also changed, and now houses a treatment room and an improved waiting room, reception, dispensary, and a minor surgery suite.
The surgery also has attached staff, including a health visitor, midwife and chiropodist, along with designated clinic sessions for antenatal and child
health care.
The surgery accepts patients from Billingborough to Bourne, and prides itself on offering a personal service by providing out of hours cover to ensure patients are always seen by a doctor from the practice.
Anyone wishing to see the new-look practice can go along to the open day tomorrow (January 4), when staff and doctors will be on hand to answer any questions and show people around.
50 years ago
January 7, 1972
Old people in Station Road, Stamford, live in dread of weekends when youngsters leave the Riverside Club on Wharf Road, but they do not want the place closed.
The residents of Burghley Hospital say they are woken up at least two nights a week when car doors are slammed, and people are singing, shouting and using bad language
Mrs Hilda Wade (74), of 7 Burghley Hospital, was insulted by youths early one morning.
Her husband, Mr. T. Wade, added that it is always about 2.30 in the morning before people finally leave them in peace.
But he added that they had nothing against the club. “We do not want to deny the kids their pleasure,”he said, “if only they would behave themselves.”
Some of the old people put up with the noise, with reluctance, but they object to their walls and flower beds being used as toilets.
But they are unanimous in that they do not wish the club any harm, and are emphatic that they do not want the club closed.
Owner of the club, Mr Colin Cracknell, and the management have had leaflets printed and given out, appealing to members not to park in Station Road.
“We cannot stop people parking there,” he said, “but we can tell them they will not be admitted if they do.”
Kesteven County planning committee have refused permission for Stamford Borough Council to demolish the historical Boat and Railway Inn, in St Mary’s Hill.
The only course left open to the borough council now – if they still want to go ahead with the demolition – is an appeal to the Department of the Environment.
Now that the A16 trunk road has been diverted along Wharf Road, the borough council want to demolish the old inn to improve Wharf Road’s junction with St Mary’s Hill.
But the county planning committee decided last week: “The demolition of this building would damage irretrievably the street scene with a loss of interest, contrast and scale at a most important point in the town.”
The committee pointed out that the use of Wharf Road as a trunk road should be regarded as a temporary measure until Stamford gets a southern by-pass.
Stamford Arts Centre committee are making a great push this New Year to establish their centre at the Assembly Rooms and Old Theatre, which premises were leased to the committee of management by the Marquess of Exeter in November.
This week the committee issued a statement recalling that it had been the dream of a few people for many years to try to establish such a centre for the cultural activities of this lovely old town.
“It has now come to fruition,” goes on the statement, “Other towns have to start from scratch to create an Arts Centre, whereas Stamford, thanks to Lord Exeter, has wonderful premises just waiting to be developed.
The committee hope, with these new facilities, to improve the cultural art of Stamford, because many more rooms will become available for their activities.
100 years ago
January 6, 1922
Pictures for Children at the Home – The Master of the Workhouse at the Board of Guardians meeting on Monday, sad he had received a letter from the management of the Electric Theatre offering to allow the children admission to the Saturday matinees. The offer was accepted with thanks, the children to be sent at the discretion of the
Master.
Not a “Gay Young Spark.” - An unusual attitude was adopted by a prisoner at the Borough police court on Saturday, when James Arthur Lumb, of Huddersfield, was charged on remand with loitering with intent to commit a felony. The prisoner went to the police station and asked for a vagrant’s ticket. When he was given one he said he would not go the the workhouse but would go and do something to get “put away” for a month or two, Followed by P.c. Francis, he was seen to go into High-street, and get underneath the shutters of a shop. Lumb now pleaded guilty and said that he had walked about 400 miles looking for work. “I could not get employment,” he said, “so I thought I would do something to get put away. The trouble is, you don’t understand men like me. I am not one of those ‘gay young sparks’ who go about on motor-cycles. I know jail is facing me, but I can do it. When a man is hungry he will do anything. I am not asking you to knock any time off. I can do it. The workhouses were built for old people, not ex-soldiers.” The Bench sentenced him to one month’s hard labour.
Youth’s fraud on a Publican
Taking advantage of an old man’s failing eyesight and a badly lighted room, a youth of 17 went into a public-house at Barnack and in payment for some cigarettes handed over the counter a penny covered with tinfoil and represented it to be a two-shilling-piece. The sequel came on Friday, when Christopher Reedman, of Barnack, was charged with obtaining by false pretences three packets of Woodbine cigarettes and 1s.6d. in silver, the property of Wm. Tomblin, of the Fox inn, Barnack on Dec. 16th.
Prosecutor said that he sold defendant the cigarettes, and gave him 1s. 6d. in change for what he took to be a 2s. piece, but which his daughter found was a penny covered with tinfoil.
P.c. Page, who questioned the defendant, said that at first he said he paid Mr. Tomblin the 2s. piece thinking it was a good one, as he had received it in his wages that day, but when the constable said he was not at all satisfied and would make more inquiries, defendant admitted covering the penny with “silver paper,” and said he did it as he wanted some money. Witness asked him what he had done with the change he received, and he handed 1s. 6d. and two packets of cigarettes over to him, saying he had smoked or given away the
third.
Defendant pleased guilty, and the Marquess of Exeter (chairman) said he had perpetrated a mean action. The offence was aggravated by his statement to the constable. The Bench did not want to send any young person to prison if they could avoid it, and they had decided to fine defendant £2 and costs, hoping that in future he would lead a better life. Fourteen days were given in which to pay.
150 years ago
January 5, 1872
The Stamford Infirmary has just received a donation of 20 gs. from Mr. W. Higgins.
Stamford Soup Kitchen – Lord Aveland has liberally forwarded a donation of £5 towards the funds of this institution.
John Smith, the Mercury newsman to Lincoln, met with an accident on his last journey which delayed the delivery of the papers at Lincoln and at towns and villages on the road. The mishap occurred at about half-past one in the morning, between Carlby and Toft. The horse suddenly fell the shafts were broken, and Smith was considerably bruised. He managed to get to Bowthorpe Lodge and ask for assistance, but Mr. Sneath, the occupier, declined to get up, and objected to the loan of his cart. His farming man, who appeared at one of the windows, also refused to render any assistance; and Smith then walked on to Toft, where he found more compassionate people, for Mr. Howitt, on being roused, got up immediately, borrowed Mr. Atter’s cart (which was willingly lent), proceeded with the newsman to the scene of the accident, helped him to shift the heavy parcels of papers, and expedited him on his journey.
On Wednesday a meeting of the Watch Committee of the Stamford Town Council was held, for the purpose of appointing a police-constable in the place of Beharrel, dismissed. There were originally three applications, but one was withdrawn, and the only candidate who appeared was Richard Wright, tailor, of Stamford. His testimonials being satisfactory he was taken for a month’s probation at 19s. per week and 2s. 6d. per month for boot money.
Mr. F. Jones, one of the clerks in Messrs. Eaton, Cayley, and Michelson’s bank, narrowly escaped serious injury on the evening of th 28th ult. by the negligence of a dustman, who was removing rubbish from a house in Ironmonger-street, and left the cellar-door open and un-protected. In passing down the street, the evening being dark, Mr. Jones fell head foremost into the cellar, and Mr. Morton (another clerk) was nearly experiencing a similar mishap. Fortunately Mr. Jones was not much hurt, being of light frame; but the neglect of the person through whom the accident occurred is not the less to be condemned.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Kelham, of Water-street, Stamford, whilst hanging out some linen to dry, had the misfortune to fall off the chair upon which she was standing and to break one of her legs. She was taken to the Infirmary.
Billingborough – The opening day of the Sleaford and Bourn line had for some time been looked forward to, and a public demonstration was intended to be made in honor of the event, but in consequence of the inhabitants not being informed of the fact until late on Saturday evening it was impossible to effect the necessary arrangements. The bells of the parish church, however, sent forth some merry peals throughout the day, and crowds of people assembled at the station to witness the arrival and departure of the trains. The engines were very neatly decorated with flags and evergreens.
200 years ago
January 4, 1822
His Royal Highness the Duke of York has been spending a few days at the seats of the Earl of Cardigan, the Earl of Westmorland, and the Marquis of Exeter, in this neighbourhood. He arrived at Burghley House on Sunday last, and continued enjoying the sporting amusements of the surrounding domain and the splendid festivities of the mansion until yesterday, when his Royal Highness departed for Belvoir Castle.
The tenants of Mrs. Hankey, of Grosvenor-square, London, who is nearly sole proprietress of Essendine, near this place, having presented their petition a short time back for an abatement of rent, have this week received, in answer to it, an announcement of the generous determination of that lady to return fifty per cent. upon her rents due at Michaelmas last, in addition to 16 per cent. returned at Lady-day, and that her tenants in Essendine shall not be called upon for the half-year’s rent due at Michaelmas last, until Lady-day next.
We are happy to learn that Dr. Willis has returned home from Leamington with improved health (though not yet able to take his usual exercise on horseback), to witness the annual distribution of clothing and customary Christmas bounty to all the poor families in the parish of Greatford. At his late audit, he again returned 15 per cent. to the tenants of his moderately rented
farms.
Lady Sophia Whichcote gave as usual on Christmas-day a dinner of roast beef, plum pudding, and ale, to all the poor people of Glaiston, at the Horse Shoes Inn; and likewise distributed wearing apparel among them
all.
We have the pleasure of stating that, although loss and inconvenience are suffered by the excessive quantity of water in the fens of this county, yet that the damage done by the breaking of banks which we stated last week, has not extended in any amount to the loss of stock: the instances of this sort are very few, and confined in each case to the drowning of one or two head of sheep from accidents in driving. The banks have been repaired, and the water which had escaped is fast subsiding;but from the extraordinary quantity of wet through the season, it will of course be late before the low lands will admit of stocking. This circumstance has given value to the turnips of higher districts. There was a breach of bank last week at Yaxley; and another, of more consequence, at Littleport: both have been repaired, and the inundation which proceeded from them is running off.
Bank of England, Dec. 20, 1821
The Court of Directors, desirous of facilitating the Circulation of a Metallic Currency throughout the country, do hereby give Notice, that they will remit any quantity of the Gold Coin of the Realm on or after the 1st January, 1882, to any of the principal towns in England and Wales. Free of expense, in sums not less than £3000, on application being made to the Chief Cashier prior to the 1st February next, and the amount previously paid into the Bank of England.
R. Best, Secretary.