Looking back over the years with our Mercury Memories

But this week, the supermarket said it had been wrangling over a legal restriction which exists on the site and which prevents a food retailer operating at the Focus premises.

Discount food supermarket Lidl has a store at the retail park.

Sainsbury’s regional development executive Robert Oxley said: “Since receiving planning permission, Sainsbury’s has been trying to lift a legal restriction which prevents food being sold from the unit. Therefore Sainsbury’s cannot progress with plans to open a store on the site at this time.”

Mr Oxley said Sainsbury’s remained committed to the town and was looking at its options.

Sainsbury’s first unveiled plans to open in the town in 2007 and after the proposals received a positive response from public consultation, it submitted a planning application which was approved by district councillors in November 2008.

* Traders are pleased that South Kesteven District Council is willing to hold talks over its plans for car parking charges in Stamford.

Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce has come up with a scheme of flexible parking charges and last week offered to underwrite the council’s budget if it is implemented.

The chamber estimates its fees would bring in an extra £100,000 by attracting more people to the town’s car parks.

On Saturday, chamber president Tim Lee received a letter from the council’s head of corporate and customer affairs Richard Whyles.

Yesterday district and town councillor John Harvey (Con) was due to put forward a motion at the district council for a different car parking strategy.

A thrilled Mr Lee said: “We have had an offer to talk, which is more than we’ve had before, so that is good. I am looking forward to it.”

Car parking is a major issue for Stamford as shoppers are often unable to use the free spaces in Bath Row and Broad Street because people who work in the town park
there.

The chamber is proposing to offer cheaper rates between Monday and Thursday with higher rates on Friday and Saturday.

* Children and young people have set up a group to campaign to make their village playing field much more fun.

Collyweston Young Citizens aim to raise funds to pay for new equipment to replace the existing play facilities.

Amber Bedford, 15, of Woodfield, Collyweston, said: “We want to get some more equipment for the playing field because the stuff that’s there now is not that good.

“We are aiming to buy some new swings, including baby swings, and a climbing frame.”

The ten-strong group, aged 10 to 15, also want to recruit more members, and has organised a meeting in Collyweston Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday, February 19. The youngsters are already planning cake sales and jumble sales and have held a Christmas raffle to raise money. At present there are old swings, a slide and a basketball hoop at the playing field.

25 years ago

Shopkeepers in Stamford have warned that the one-way system in Broad Street is damaging their trade and forcing them out of business.

The bleak outlook for the town comes as Graham Chiverton announced the closure of his greengrocers, in Red Lion Street, with signs in the windows blaming the one-way system, as well as increases in the business rate and East Midlands Electricity Board.

The traffic restriction was introduced in May last year and Lincolnshire County Council looks set to make the system permanent in November after a 12-month trial.

County council Senior Traffic Officer Graeme Butler said only two shopkeepers had commented on the system in the first six months of the trial and raised doubts as to whether traffic management was to blame for traders’ difficulties.

But Mr Chiverton said: “My takings halved when they introduced the one-way system. Customers have repeatedly told me that they weren’t coming into town anymore because it had made it impossible to park.”

He also said an increased business revaluation and EMEB bill payment demands had contributed to the closure.

* Opponents to a new Baston housing estate’s traffic plans say they are determined to keep campaigning despite failing to gain the support of Lincolnshire County Council.

Swallow Homes have started to build 64-homes at Baston Fields – previously known as Urns Farm – in Baston, and residents and parish councillors were hoping members of the county’s planning and general sub-committee meeting on Monday would back recommendations to put the access on Greatford Road and not the A15.

Lincolnshire County Council recently found out it owns a stretch of land along the A15 where the developer wants to put the access.

Instead of contesting the ownership in court, rejecting an A15 access and risking compensation claims from Swallow Homes councillors voted to declare the land surplus to requirements and sell it to the developer.

Joe Emerson, Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Highways and Planning, said: “Turning on to the A15 from Greatford Road would be far worse than coming directly on to the A15 because of the lack of visibility.”

* A crackdown on school bullies came a step closer this week when all schools in Lincolnshire were told they will have c clear policy against bullying operating by September.

The county education committee has told head teachers that bullying at school cannot be tolerated in any situation.

They have made it clear they expect all schools to have an effective action plan against bullying and it should form part of their policy of stating what behaviour is expected both within and out of school.

Norman Riches, Director of Education for Lincolnshire, referred this week to an action pack produced last year by the Department of Education entitled “Bullying – don’t suffer in silence”.

He said: “It is important that schools and youth centres have appropriate measures to both identify and deal with bullying incidents as and when they arise.

“Young people must have confidence in the system to be able to report it when they are subject to unacceptable behaviour from either children or adults.”

50 years ago

A Helpston man is trying to raise funds to help him excavate a Roman site near the village.

Mr Michael O‘Brien has already written to Peterborough City Council, which has turned him down.

The Ministry of Public Buildings and Works has also refused to part with any money, although it is considering lending him some equipment.

Mr O’Brien, who lives at Woodland Lea, is now thinking about getting in touch with the County Council.

He is also planning to hold an exhibition of what he has already dug up in the village hall, next spring, and hopes that this will raise some cash.

Forty-one year-old Mr O’Brien, an engineer at Perkins, has been running the excavation for three years.

He has now tenanted the site to avoid the land being ploughed up and it is this move which is making it more difficult for him to find funds out of his own pocket.

* The future role of Stamford Hospital will be uncertain if a report on hospitals in the country is adopted, a spokesman for the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board said on Wednesday.

But he gave assurances that there are no plans for the hospital’s closure despite the building of the new Peterborough District Hospital.

Many people in the town have been concerned about the future of Stamford Hospital since the report which advocates the building of big district hospital and closure of smaller hospitals was published.

The League of Friends of Stamford Hospitals have invited Dr Norman A. Ross, superintendent of the medical committee at the Peterborough District Hospital to address their annual meeting next Thursday. He will explain the role of the new district hospital.

A big attendance is hoped for to give expression to the anxiety felt about the position of Stamford Hospital

* Having suffered a spate of vandalism over the Christmas period, Oakham was subjected to another outbreak last weekend when damage was done to shop windows and school premises.

On Friday night a large plate glass window at Strickland’s grocery shop on the corner of Mill Street and Catmose Street was smashed as also was a large window in the neighbouring empty premises formerly occupied by Messrs Roberts.

Also on Friday night a window was smashed at the shop in Church Passage belonging to Mr Woods.

These latter premises were broken into the previous night and £50 9s cash together with a quantity of cigarettes and chocolates were stolen. The total value of the haul, including the cash, has been put at £78 17s 7d.

During the weekend a large wire mesh safety glass panel in one of the swing doors in a newly-built porch at Oakham Primary School, Burley Road, was smashed, and on Monday night a brick was thrown through one of the classroom windows.

The Headmaster, Mr Ron Jervis, said there was no doubt that the damage was the result of vandalism.

100 years ago

Stamford Soup Kitchen will be closed this week unless funds sufficient to meet its requirements are forthcoming.

* National Institute For The Blind – As the result of their Christmas effort, the scholars of the Stamford Boys’ Elementary School, Recreation Ground-road, have sent in the splendid sum of £13 2s. 7d., to the St. Dunstan’s Fund for the benefit of the children of Blind Soldiers and Sailors. An official letter of thanks, and an illuminated certificate which is to hang in the school have been received in acknowledgement.

* Pig Club’s Heavy Losses – The annual meeting of the Stamford Pig Club was held at the headquarters, the Queen’s Head inn, last week, Mr. Geo. Taylor, of Wothorpe (president), occupying the chair, and there being a good attendance. All the retiring officers were re-appointed, and Messrs. Ringham and Bailey were added to the Committee. The reserve fund having been heavily drained as the result of exceptional losses during the past 12 month, the members have increased their subscription, and are paying a quarterly levy, and an appeal to various townspeople who in the past have generously supported the organisation, has so far met with a good response, though it is hoped to considerably improve on the result obtained up to the present.

* Municipal Bye-Elections – Polling in the bye-elections on the 15th inst., was fairly heavy, and considerable interest was shown. The Labour candidates were all again heavily defeated, the results, which were made known the same night, being as follows: St Mary’s Ward (1 seat) – J. S. Prior 280, J. A. Glover 192. All Saints’ Ward (2 seats) – E. Carter 916, H. V. Blackstone 902, S Bassendine 781, T. Hudson 615.

* Butchers’ A ssociation – The annual meeting of the Stamford Butchers’ Association was held at the Cattle Market on Monday. Ald. A. Dobbs was re-elected president, Mr. Chas. Dalton chairman, and Mr. F. Conington vice-chairman. The following members were appointed on the committee – Messrs. F. Burbidge (Collyweston), Dean Swift, H. Vellam, C. W. Hall. and H. Woolhouse (Stamford). The Allocation Committee was constituted as follows – Messrs. Chas. Dalton, F. Conington, and Mr. Hurn. The auditors, solicitors, and secretary (Mr. Edward Dalton) were re-elected. A favourable balance sheet was presented. It was unanimously decided to become affiliated to the National Federation of Meat Traders’ Association. Several new members were enrolled.

* Lack of Press Accommodation – There was no business of public interest at the meeting of the Stamford Board of Guardians on Monday, though the Board sat for nearly an hour. Had there been, it would have been difficult to present it to the public, to whom the Board are accountable, in the absence of adequate accommodation for the Pressmen who attended.

* Sale of Property – At the Crown Hotel, Stamford, on Monday afternoon, Messrs. Reedman, Son, and Mason, offered by auction two freehold dwellinghouses, 19 and 20, Recreation Ground-road, together producing a gross yearly rental of £33 16s. Mr. Hardy, of Stamford, was the purchaser at £450. The solicitors concerned were Messrs. English and Son. A £100 perpetual debenture in Ellis and Everard, Ltd., was knocked down at £80 to Mr. J. W.Pepper.

150 years ago

Mr. Edw. Rubbins, of Baston, has become a subscriber of £2 2s, to the Stamford Infirmary. The sum of £13s., the proceeds of concert, has also been received from Southorpe.

* The following donations have been received: For the Dorcas Charity, Lord Exeter £10, Lady Exeter £5 5s.; for the National-school and Lying-in Charity, Lord Exeter £10, Lady Exeter £10.

* It is stated that the recreation ground for Stamford, to be awarded under the enclosure of the open fields, will be selected from the land north of North-street, formerly known as Hunt’s Close. The garden allotments for poor persons will also be in the same neighbourhood. It is expected that the Bill in which the Stamford enclosure will be scheduled will pass early in the ensuing session of Parliament, and that the apportionment will be completed by Midsummer. The assent of all parties interested has been forwarded to the Inclosure Commissioners.

* The tolls arising from the various gates belonging to the Stamford Turnpike Trusts were let by auction, by Mr. Jas. Richardson, at the Stamford Hotel, on the 11th inst., and realised the following sums; The Bourn toll bar, with the Toft and Manthorpe side bars, £89; Ryhall bar and side bar, £307; Stamford and Wittering £268; Great Casterton, and Little Casterton and Ingthorpe side bars, £277; Horn-lane bar, £100; Deeping-lane £176; Newstead, £350; Tinwell bar and side bar, £323. All the gates were let to Mr. T. Bower, except the Ryhall bar and side bar, which were let to Mr. Hanger.

* In the discussion at the last meeting of the Stamford Improvement Commissioners on sanitary matters, it was charged against Mr. J. F. Morgan that he had opposed a system of drainage and had denied that fever existed in the town when other medical gentlemen reported that it was prevalent. We are requested by Mr. Morgan to state that he is not unfavourable to drainage if an efficient system can be submitted, and that instead of entirely denying the existence of fever, he has admitted that there were cases, but, according to his belief, not to the extent represented.

* The secluded village of Southorpe presented an animated scene on Tuesday evening the 11th inst., on the occasion of a vocal and instrumental concert, which was given in a building kindly lent by Mr. J. Woods, of the High Farm. A carefully selected programme was very creditably performed, and the audience, which was not a small one, testified its satisfaction by the manner in which the several pieces were received. The singing of Miss Turnham, Miss Woods, Mrs Gimson, and Miss Freear was generally admired, and the splendid playing of the first named lady and Miss Bunning elicited much applause. Several glees were nicely given by the members of the Barnack church choir, under the conductorship of Mr H. W. Smith. Mr Dudley and Miss Freear gave some pleasing duets in character, and Mr. J. Woolhouse, jun., to whose persevering energy the success of the concert was mainly owing, gave some comic songs.

* The tolls at the gates of the Lincoln Heath and Market Deeping roads, in the Bourn district, were let by auction by Mr. Lawrence, at Bourn, on Saturday last, at the sums following: Bourn Mills and Graby bars, £553, to Mr. Bower; Kate’s Bridge bar, £171, Mr. Higgs; Edenham bar, £173, Mr. J. Kettle; Corby and Birkholme, £273, to Mr. Edward Bullock.

200 years ago

The Rev. T. Mounsey, Second Master of the Free Grammar School, Stamford, boards and educated Thirty Young Gentlemen intended for the University, and of the Learned Professions, or Commercial Life – The Head Master kindly gives his talents and experience in preparing for the University and Learned Professions.

Terms – Twenty Guineas per Annum for those under twelve years of age, including the Greek and Latin Languages, and every Branch of Commercial and Mathematical Learning, Music, Drawing, Dancing, and French be a Native, when required, are additionally charged. The pupils reassemble on Monday, January the 24th.

Letters to be post paid.

* Education at Langham, Rutland. Young Gentlemen are boarded, and taught all the useful branches of education, viz, Writing in its various hands, Arithmetic in all its parts, Merchants’ Accounts, Guaging, Geometry, Land-surveying, Mensuration, Mathematics, &c.; also French, Latin, and the Rudiments of the Greek Language, History, Geography, Astronomy, Stenography, Mapping, Drawing, &c. &c., by T. Hack.

Board and Tuition ... Eighteen Guineas per Annum.

Entrance … Half-a-Guinea.

Vacation, 2 weeks at Midsummer and 2 at Christmas.

Previously to any Gentleman’s leaving school, a quarter’s notice will be expected, or payment for a quarter’s board. School re-opened January 10th.

* Dyke, near Bourn, To be Sold by Private Contract,

A Most desirable Situation for a Market Gardener, at Dyke, near Bourn, in the county of Lincoln; consisting of a Copyhold Messuage or Tenement, with a Homestead, Garden, and Orchard well planted with fruit trees, containing together nearly Two Acres of land, now in the occupation of Mr. Charles Torey, who will show the same.

For price and further particulars apply to Mr. Arden, land-surveyor, Morton, bear Bourn; to Messrs Tallents and Beevor, solicitors, Newark; or to Messrs Cheales and Forbes, solicitors, Sleaford.

* On Saturday last a meeting was held at the town-hall in this place for considering of the best means of affording relief to the poor; when it was resolved to procure coals from Oundle, Spalding, and where-ever else they could be conveniently obtained, and to sell them to the necessitous poor at a cheap rate. The benevolent plan was immediately acted upon, and a liberal subscription entered into for defraying the charge.

* To be Sold, Cheap, Three Wind-Mill Sails, 33 feet long, and a Wind Shaft 18½ feet long, squares 2 feet. Enquire at
Dogsthorpe Mill.