The Stamford Mercury Archive looks back 50 and more years to what was in the news this week

10 years ago - September 21, 2012

A school is getting tough on parents who park irresponsibly.

St Gilbert’s Church of England Primary School in Stamford has spent years trying to persuade people not to park on the zigzag lines outside its premises on Foundry Road.

But, as with many other primary schools up and down the country, some parents ignore road safety rules and drop their children off right outside the school gates.

So head teacher Claire Thorley, along with parent volunteer Rosie Maclennan and Jo O’Bryan-Tear, who runs the adjacent Ark Nursery, have come up with a new plan of action.

Every pupils has been involved in designing a banner to hang outside the school and the end result was in place for the launch of the new road safety campaign on Monday.

Two police community support officers attended and will be issuing fixed penalty notices if culprits fail to comply.

A leaflet, sent home to all parents on Monday, repeats the line ‘I must not park on the zig-zag lines’ five times and gives busy parents on the school run a few tips.

These include making packed lunches the night before so that there is time in the mornings to find a parking space, always carrying a brolly in case they have to park a little way away from the school and making a habit of parking a short distance away so they can enjoy the walk to school.

• A pantomime company is counting the cost after a fire at a storage warehouse destroyed its entire costume collection.

Flames ripped through the Stamford Selfstore building in Ryhall Road, Great Casterton, at about 6.50pm on Friday last week.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze, which was not put out until 9.45am on Saturday.

The fire destroyed many of the storage containers inside, one of which was being rented by the Stamford Pantomime Players.

The unit was home to the group’s entire costume collection, which had been collected over 60 years and used in hundreds of performances.

Chairman Liz Paige said: “We are waiting to gain permission to access the unit to see exactly what damage has been caused, but the initial report from the police is that everything has gone.”

Many of the costumes destroyed in the blaze were bought in the 1950s from a theatre in London. One of the best-loved outfits was a two-person cow costume, which features moving eyes, mouth and udders.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

• Two women were shocked when they discovered two needles on a town centre doorstep.

Shelly Arden, 38, and Zoe Metcalfe, 32, saw the syringes on a doorstep next to sandwich shop Subway, in High Street, Stamford, while they were out shopping on Monday morning.

The pair informed staff and police immediately and could not believe what they had seen.

Shelly, who lives in Anne Road, Stamford, said: “We were just shocked and disgusted when we saw them lying there.”

Zoe, of Irnham Road, Stamford, added: “If they were used for drugs you never know what could be caught off them – Aids, hepatitis or something else.”

25 years ago - September 19, 1997

Plans for a giant pub in St John’s Street, Stamford, have been agreed by councillors, despite objections from residents and neighbouring businesses.

South Kesteven District Council planning committee approved the application on Tuesday by 14 votes to eight.

J D Wetherspoon plc intend to turn the former electricity showrooms into a traditional ale, food and wine bar.

Coun Philip Keddell said: “The reason the application was approved was that there were no real planning grounds to refuse it, which was regrettable.

“I voted against it, but realised it would go through. Despite Wetherspoon being a professional company, Stamford does not need another pub because it would harm trade at the existing ones.”

Jim Battersby, of the Golden Fleece pub in the Sheep Market, chairman of Stamford and District Licensed Victuallers’ Association, said: “The planning committee was the first round, but now they’ll have to apply for a licence, and I think they’re going to find it more difficult.”

• Workmen building the new Church Room at Great Casterton were forced to call the police on Monday after discovering a collection of bones on the work site.

Rutland’s coroner and police were called to St Peter and St Paul’s churchyard to investigate the find, which turned out to be the remains of a horse from around the turn of the century.

Rector the Rev Brian Harris said: “I received a call on Sunday from a member of the public who said they had found some human bones on the site.

“I went along first thing Monday morning, and couldn’t see any human remains, but there were pieces of bone lying near the surface, so I called the relevant authorities.”

After a brief check, the bones were identified and the police and coroner were on their way.

“I would imaging that the horse bones date from around 1900, as there was a laundry room on that site which was in use from 1901 for a number of years,” explained Mr Harris.

• A four-figure pledge from the George Hotel, Stamford, has boosted the town’s CCTV fund to more than £25,000.

Other donations have come from Jackson and Grimes, and ACR Computers, together with personal pledges.

The town’s CCTV consortium members have just visited the control centre in Grantham.

Colin Evans, head of the consortium, organised the visit so that people could see for themselves what they will be getting for their money.

The Stamford cameras will be monitored at the control centre when they are installed.

The party was given a tour of the purpose-built centre by South Kesteven Property Services, which operates the building.

Members had chance to ask questions and have a go at controlling the cameras.

Mr Evans said: “I was very impressed with what the cameras can do – especially with the clarity of the pictures and how far they can zoom in and out.

“This will be the biggest thing Stamford has seen in years, and I think it will be a major coup for the town, making it a safer place for people to come to.”

50 years ago - September 22, 1972

Stamford’s “shoppers army” marches into battle next Wednesday – pledged to winning a better deal for the housewife.

The newly-formed Consumers and Shoppers Association will work out plans at a meeting in the Darby and Joan hall.

And among the speakers will by Mr Ray Guess, whose High Street store was threatened with legal action by manufacturers for selling goods too cheaply.

It was the row over Chemcuts which led to the new consumer movement being formed.

A High Street recruiting campaign was launched on a wet Saturday morning two months ago and Wednesday’s meeting is the first for the 70-strong group.

Mr Ron Cassidy, the local Labour party member who has piloted the launching of the “shoppers army”will be in the chair for the first part of the meeting.

He said: “The aim is that the consumers themselves will elect their own committee, and we hope to have a good proportion of housewives elected.

“I want to stress that anyone can come to Wednesday’s meeting, the more the better.”

• Stamford’s Central Cinema has been given a “reprieve” by its owners. It means a big boost for film fans who were threatened with losing the town’s only cinema within the next three months,

Mr Leslie Jaffa’s Palace Entertainments organisation had said in May that is was planning to scrap films for a time and stage bingo only.

The thought was that consideration would be given to starting a combined cinema-bingo operation in about two years.

Now Mr Jaffa’s take-over of Stamford’s Lansbury Bingo Club has changed the situation.

He will divert most of his attention to the bingo club and for the moment he will let the Central continue as it is.

Films have been booked through to Christmas and plans to drop them shelved.

Mr Jaffa told the Mercury: “We would not envisage any circumstances where there would not be a cinema in Stamford.

“But, like everything else, things have to be altered to meet growing demands. The attendance at this cinema is a lot lower than attendances in cinemas in towns the same size as Stamford.

“If we could cut the capacity of the cinema to about 200 seats then it would match present cinema trends.”

• Stamford was described as the best shopping centre for miles around by the Marquess of Exeter on Wednesday.

He was speaking at the opening of the town’s Trades Fair, at the Assembly Rooms, to commemorate 1,000 years of recorded trading.

People, he said, liked to have a close feeling, and to know people in shops. It is that warm feeling of being part of a community, and we are still small enough to have that feeling,” he said.

“Stamford is the best shopping centre for many miles around,” he continued.

• Bourne Town FC announced yesterday that they had been in touch with Kettering and the Football Association regarding the venue for the FA Cup tie with the Poppies.

As a result, the Bourne committee will look into the matter further on Monday when a statement will be issued.

100 years ago - September 22, 1922

Old Stamfordian’s Gift – The Mayor (Mr. J. W. Pepper) has received a draft for £100 from Mr. A. J. Littledike, of Brisbane, Australia, for the purpose of erecting a Queen Eleanor’s Cross to mark the site of ancient monument. Mr. Littledike had previously offered £50 for the erection of tablets on local spots of historical interest, and the Mayor conferred with Mr T. Sandall, of Rusholme Lodge, who made the suggestion that a cross should be erected, and gave his estimate of the cost as £100.

• Wesleyan Deficit – The proceedings at the Stamford Wesleyan Circuit meeting on Thursday at Castle Bytham were considerably marred by the inclemency of the weather. The Rev. J. Westcombe presided, and the financial report, presented by Mr. E. Clark, was accepted as satisfactory, despite the small deficit on current expenses. Motions of sympathy were carried to the relatives of the late Mrs. C. Chapman, Stamford, and Mr. R. Hackney and Mrs. Wann, of Ryhall, all of whom were members of the church. Some interesting discussions ensued at the local preachers’ meeting, when regret was expressed at the departure for other circuits of two locals, Mr. J. L. Sandry and Mr. H. Palethorpe. Tea was provided by Mr. and Mrs. E. Clark, after which a spirited meeting was held in the chapel. Mr. E. Clark presided, and was supported by the Rev. J. Westcombe and Mr. J. Healey, of Empingham.

• Harvest Festival – During the week-end the Salvation Army held their harvest thanksgiving services, the officer conducting being Staff-Captain M. Crawford, of Leicester. The Citadel was nicely decorated. On Tuesday evening several of the members performed in a 10-scene play “An Eastern Wedding,” arranged by Mr. Roffe.

• Schoolmaster Curate – At an ordination service on Sunday in Peterborough Cathedral, Mr. Percy James Beaumont, M.A., a master at Stamford Grammar School, was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Peterborough. After the service he was licensed to the curacy of St. Martin’s, Stamford, where for the past two or three years he has assisted as lay reader. Mr. Beaumont will continue as a member of the school staff as hitherto.

• “Jumble” Sold – In aid of the Town Thursday Football Club, a successful jumble sale was held in the Red Triangle Hut on Monday, members of the committee and ladies carrying out the duties of stall-holders and stewards.

• Property Auction – At the Crown Hotel, on Monday, a villa residence in King’s-road, in the occupation of Mr. H. J. Reedman, was offered by auction by Messrs. Reedman, Son, and Mason, but was withdrawn. However, it was afterwards sold to Mr. F. Starling, of Desborough, for £550.

• Harvest Thanksgiving – The harvest thanksgiving services in connection with Bourne Baptist church were held on Sunday and Monday. The services were conducted by Rev. G. Morgan. Special hymns were sung, and the choir rendered two anthems. At the evening service a tenor solo was contributed by Mr. Lunn. On Monday there was a public meeting after which Mr. H. Driffill conducted an auction sale of produce.

150 years ago - September 20, 1872

An announcement is made that there will be a grand evening concert in Stamford on the 14th October, and that among the vocalists will be Madame Lemmense-Sherrington, Mdlle. Jose Sherrington, Madame Poole, Mr. Nelson Varley, and M Jules Lefort.

• Voters’ Lists – The lists of voters for the borough of Stamford were revised at the Town-hall, on Wednesday, by J. C.Lawrance, Esq., the barrister appointed for that purpose. There were no fresh claims or objections for the parishes of All Saints, St. Michael, St. John, and St. Martin; in the parish of St. Mary there was one claim, viz., by Mr. Britton, watchmaker, Maiden-lane; and in St. George two lodger claims, viz., by Benj. Baston and Wm. Jelley. All three claims were allowed, and the lists were passed. The county voters’ lists will be examined, at the Town-hall, on Saturday (to-morrow).

• We are sorry to hear that at the Flower Show in Burghley Park, during the time the marquee was being cleared, someone stole a dish each of nectarines, peaches, and apples. Every precaution had been taken to prevent such a misfortune; but evidently the thief hoodwinked the police, who at the time had possession of the marquee. Mr. Johnson, the hon. Sec., is very anxious to trace the guilty party, and will be obliged to anyone present in the marquee at the time who can give him any information.

• A serious accident happened on Saturday last to Wm. Pollock, a railway porter at West Gorton, near Manchester, son of Mr. William Pollock, gas fitter, Stamford. He had been coupling some railway carriages, and as he was passing from between them the train moved on and a wheel went over his left leg just above the ankle, fracturing the bone in such a manner that amputation had to be resorted to. He was taken to Manchester Hospital.

• The new school built for the parish of Sibson-cum-Stibbington was quietly opened with prayer, by the Rev. C. Trollope, on Monday last. The building has been erected by Messrs, Richardson, of Stamford, at the entire cost of the late Duke of Bedford, and it will be supported by the present Duke. It is a fine structure, and all the modern improvements for such a building have been carried out. The interior arrangement are very convenient. The school stands midway in the village.

• On Sunday evening last a harvest thanksgiving service was held in Yarwell church. It was elaborately decorated, a sheaf of wheat, barley, and oats combined was placed upon the altar, relieved by tastefully arranged flowers and fruit: there were handsome wreaths and devices in other parts. An excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by the lately-appointed minister in charge, the Rev. Samuel Flood, who took his text from St. Mark iv., 26-29, and St. Matthew xiii., part of 36. There was a crowded and most attentive congregation. This is the first service of the kind that has been held in this village.

• Rara Avis – During the past week one of those rare and beautiful birds, the hoopoe, was shot in Bourn Fen, and is now being preserved by John Evans, taxidermist, who says this is the third specimen he had know to be killed in this neighbourhood.

200 years ago - September 20, 1822

Silk Mills, Stamford.

To Parish Officers.

Wanted, about Twenty Girls of the age of nine to twelve years, to work at the above business, which is light and healthy. Any parish officers having such children, and desirous of their being so employed, are requested to apply (if by letter, post paid) to Mr. Gouger, of Stamford, who will explain the terms on which they will be taken, and will also see that they are properly clothed, maintained, and instructed.

• On Monday a coroner’s inquest was held at Stamford: Mary Ann daughter of Thos. Mews, slater, aged eight years, had been accidentally burnt to death. On Saturday afternoon her parents left her in care of the house, and at that time there was no fire; but it seems that the child soon attempted to light one, and in doing so, set her clothes in flames. She ran into the street enveloped in fire, and lingered in great agony for upwards of 24 hours, when death put an end to her sufferings. Verdict accordingly.

• On Saturday last an inquest was taken at North Luffenham, before J J. Jones, Gent., one of the coroners for the county of Rutland, on view of the body of Richard Broom, farmer, of Pilton, in that neighbourhood. It appeared in evidence, that the deceased had been spending the evening of Thursday in a party at South Luffenham, where he stayed until a late hour, and left in a state of intoxication, and that he was accompanied by his friends very near to the town of North Luffenham, when he suddenly left them to go home by himself, The body was found the next day in a pond upon the premises of Lady Ann Noel, near to the footpath along which he must necessarily have passed. Verdict, accidentally drowned.

• On Friday last a gipsy woman, named Eliz. Henson, was committed to gaol at Stamford, to hard labour for one month, being convicted under the new Vagrant Act of ‘telling the fortune’ of a young female in this borough, and extorting a payment of thirteen-pence for her skill in palmistry.

• Our good friends the Market Women are in a state of consternation on account of an Act passed last session imposing a duty on carts conveying passengers for hire. In every village is found a poor active or decrepit man, and in many an industrious widow, endeavouring to support a small family without parish relief by attending market with a cart and horse; for a penny or two-pence each, they bring their neighbours’ baskets to market, and for a few pence more the owner or servant might ride also, but now they are all obliged to travel on foot, the licence and duty being tantamount to a prohibition. Such probably was not intended by the legislature; and here is another instance of the danger of Acts of Parliament hastily passed. This Act and the new Marriage Act, good as they are in principle, have, from want of care in the framing of their clauses, imposed grievances more obvious and painful to the lower and industrious classes than all the other restrictive statutes of the last half century.