Hundreds of years of history from Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and Market Deeping
Plans for a children’s adventure playground on the Meadows, a shower of meteors, the mysterious murder of sheep and an application for Stamford Arts Centre to get a makeover.
These are just some of the stories from this week's Mercury Memories, which delves into stories from up to 200 years ago thanks to the support of the Stamford Mercury Archive Trust.
10 years ago
November 30, 2012
Residents annoyed at a cut-price offer for the car parks in Stamford held a small protest – but the district council said it is doing all it can to help.
South Kesteven District Council is offering cut prices at its long stay car parks in Wharf Road and cattle market and its short stay car parks in North Street, St Leonard’s Street, Scotgate and Bath Row for either three or six months, on a first come first served basis.
These permits are a short term solution while the district council comes up with a plan for residents’ parking schemes.
Residents called for parking schemes to be set up because they fear they will be penalised for parking outside their own homes once wardens acting on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council start issuing fines from Monday.
But residents, who are annoyed the cost of the temporary parking permits differs between the car parks and that there is a limited number of places available, attended a protest at the district council’s offices in Maiden Lane, Stamford, on Monday.
A weekend of heavy rain caused rivers across the area to overflow in many towns and villages, creating problems for traffic and pedestrians.
Stamford residents were amazed to see The Meadows transformed into a lake on Monday.
Police closed the footbridges near the Bath Row and Cattle Market car parks on Monday afternoon as a safety precaution after about half of The Meadows were covered by flood water. They also closed Bath Row to traffic. Both the road and footpath were reopened on Tuesday after the water receded.
Various stretches of the A15 were also underwater over the weekend, causing parts of the road to be closed to traffic.
Some of the worst areas affected included Northorpe and Folkinghan, where residents were woken at 4.30am on Sunday when fire services arrived to deal with flood water about 18in deep.
Flooding was also reported in Belmesthorpe, Uffington, Langham, Egleton and Braunston, and on the A606 between Oakham and Barnsdale.
Life as a framer is never straight forward, anything an come through the door but when one craftsman got the opportunity to frame an Olympic torch be jumped at the chance.
Paul Mills, opened his framing shop in Scotgate just seven weeks ago but has been plying his trade in the area for about 20 years.
Paul was first approached by Queen Eleanor School PE teacher Stephen Bull to frame his mother’s Olympic torch uniform.
Sue Probst, 57, of Tixover, carried the Olympic torch at Burghley House, when it passed through the town in July.
Having seen the great job Paul did with her uniform they agreed to let him frame the torch.
She said: “It looks lovely. I didn’t know what to do with the damn thing. I have had it next to my bed for the last few months and I did not want to move it into the loft.
“Now it will have pride of place. I haven’t heard of anyone else framing it like this.”
25 years ago
November 28, 1997
Stamford will be celebrating the Millennium with a giant party if negotiations to extend the Meadows are successful.
If plans go ahead more permanent features could be sited there, including a children’s adventure playground, and there would be commemorative tree planting.
At a meeting of Stamford Town Council on Monday members agreed to try and lease the land from the Freemen of Stamford.
Coun Rudi Brenna said: “If we can get this land, we will be able to provide something permanent which will benefit the people of Stamford.”
The Meadows extension would stretch from near the Millstream, covering about 11 acres. Finance for the project has yet to be finalised. Funding could come from South Kesteven District Council and the National Lottery.
Along with expanding the Meadows, amenities and environmental committee members agreed to seek sponsorship for a Millennium gift for Stamford school children, such as a commemorative mug or pencil.
Stamford Arts Centre could get a £3 million makeover – providing Lottery funding can be found.
An application to the Lottery Arts Council is being prepared at the moment, but a decision won’t be made until the summer of 1999 at the earliest.
If successful, the centre will be given a larger gallery area, new 100-seat auditorium, improved access for disabled people, the bar will be moved to the cafe area and the heating, lighting and electrical systems will be overhauled.
Arts Centre manager David Popple said: “We are about to go into a long consultation process, including a needs analysis to establish if the demand is there and get people’s opinion on the plans.”
The first stage of the consultation process will look at proposals by Stamford Pantomime Players to secure the lease of Stamford Corn Exchange, Broad Street, and plans by Stamford College to build a visual arts centre. Both proposals are also seeking Lottery funding.
In a report to South Kesteven District Council’s recreation committee, the head of leisure and cultural services, John Slater, said: “Discussions have been held with both parties and we are confident that if either or both of the other projects go ahead they will not duplicate the proposals for the arts centre.”
Families living near the former Exeter School site in Stamford claim that they are being made prisoners in their own homes by travellers who have descended on the area.
A handful of travellers moved in last week, and were due to leave following a wedding at the weekend, but since then numbers have doubled to more than 20 caravans.
And home owners say the problem will only get worse if Lincolnshire County Council does not act quickly to force them out.
Tom Earl, who lives in Sutherland Way, said: “Some of them look as though they are bedding down for the winter, never mind leaving at the weekend. The site is in an absolutely filthy state with rubbish piled high, and its just getting worse.
“Why should we have to pay taxes and put up with these people spoiling the area for everyone who lives here, especially the children, who can no longer play in the area any more.”
In the summer children cleared the site of glass and rubbish to use it for in-line skating. Now caravans occupy the site.
The county council is working closely with the district council and police, who have visited the site this week.
50 years ago
December 1, 1972
Greatford’s tiny village primary school has been saved from the axe again – by a shock decision from Kesteven County Council.
On Wedesday the council wrote another chapter in the incredible see-saw story of the school’s planned closure by deciding to let it stay open.
Tension mounted as the hands were counted after the debate on the school’s future … and in the end the decision that will bring joy to villagers at Greatford was made on a 25-22 vote.
It was the second time Kesteven County Council had stepped in to rescue the seemingly doomed school.
And it was the second time the Education Committee - pursuing their policy of closing one-teacher schools – had been snubbed by the full council.
The village’s hero at the county council meeting was Uffington councillor Mr R. A. Stanton.
He spoke of how the total cost of moving the Greatford pupils to Baston would work out at an estimated £15,500.
Concorde, the Angle-French supersonic airliner, was flying in the Stamford area, on Friday.
But its notorious ultra-sonic ‘boom’ was not heard - because the multi-million pound aircraft was operating at slow speeds.
Concorde was on a routine test flight from Bedford. It passed over Stamford at about 8,000 feet.
One man who spotted it was Mr G. Walker of Radcliffe Road. He said: “It was unmistakably Concorde, and it looked quite superb.”
South Kesteven rural councillor, Mr Keith Thompson, was furious about the treatment he received at the beginning of the week, when the Gas Board was converting Baston to North Sea Gas.
For his home, 1 Greatford Road, Baston, totally dependent on gas for its central heating, was stone cold from 8
am Monday until mid-morning Wednesday.
Repeated efforts to get information from the Gas Board between those times were futile, Mr Thompson said, and he was angered by the Board’s lack of co-operation.
He received literature from the Board saying that gas supplies would be turned off on Monday; they were, at 8 am.
Two hours later a workman from the sub-contractors carrying out the change of supply for the Board called on Mr Thompson and said the transition would take about 10 minutes.
But then the workman found that the necessary kit to carry out the work had not been delivered by the Board. Mr Thompson telephoned the Lincoln offices and was told that the job should be done about 5 pm. But no-one turned up then.
“We made about six telephone calls in the evening and went into Market Deeping to find the control bus,” Mr Thompson continued, “But we could not find it.”
Mr Thompson added: “It was bad enough for us, but it would have been far worse for elderly people to have had the same experience.”
Mr John Tims, of the Gas Board Publicity department, Lincoln, said on Wednesday: “We had some difficulty with parts and we apologise for the inconvenience.
100 years ago
December 1, 1922
Band Contests and Wireless Concerts
To make this year’s shopping week a greater success than ever before is the aim of the Stamford Trademen’s Association.
At the Stamford Hotel, on Friday evening, a general meeting of the Association was presided over by Mr. G. E. Higgs, when proposals to make the week a carnival nature were put forward and discussed. Mr. Parrish gave particulars of the band concert proposed to be held, for which, he said, he had received nine entries from some of the best bands in the district. Seventeen entries had been submitted for the quartette contests to be held at the Assembly-rooms.
It was also stated that with money received and promised the Association had £40 to expend, and no canvassing had been done.
A suggestion put forward by Mr. J. Brown that there should be a children’s day during Shopping Week, with another that there should be an illuminated parade, was received with enthusiasm and referred to the committee to make arrangements. It is expected that there will also be wireless concerts.
Bourne
Allotment Association – Mr. J. T. Holmes has been re-elected president, Rev. J A. Halfpenny treasurer, Messrs. W. Bannister, S. S. Baines, B. Pick, A. Scotney, J. E. Moisey, J. Cooper, W. Fowler, H. Redshaw, G. Drakeard, H. Caborn, C. Moisey, F. Rose, A. Lings, H. Darnes and W. Hinson the committee, and Mr. F. Brown auditor. The members have decided upon an exhibition in the coming year, any deficit to be met by a levy on the members. The committee had announced that unless they were assured of better support than at the last show, they would hesitate about holding another.
Ministry’s Complaint To Guardians – At a meeting of the Board of Guardians, on Thursday, a letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating that on a recent visit by the Ministry’s Officer (Dr. Adams) 15 children were found in the House, and in the opinion of the Ministry, they should be boarded out. The Clerk stated since the date of the visit the number had reduced to six, and the House Committee recommended that one of these should be sent to a training ship. The Board agreed, and requested the Boarding-out Committee to deal with the other cases.
Centenary Gathering – The centenary dinner and meeting of the Association for the Prosecution of Felons was held on Friday evening at the Nag’s Head Hotel, Bourne, when Mr. G. H. Mays presided over a good attendance. An excellent repast was provided by Host Shilcock, and after the usual loyal toasts had been honoured the business part of the meeting was conducted by Mr. H. S. Stanton (deputy secretary). The accounts for the past year showed a small deficit on the working expenses. The association is, however, in a sound financial condition, as it holds £125 of Australian stock. Mr. G. H. Mays was re-elected chairman and Mr. J. B. Shilcock vice-chairman, and Mr. E. Wherry treasurer.
150 years ago
November 29, 1872
Stamford Infirmary – The treasurer has received the following collections: Independent Chapel, Ketton, £1 5s.; Market Deeping, £3 16s. 9d.; Braceborough, £31s. 9d.
The business at the Stamford Union Board on Wednesday was almost exclusively routine, and the applications for relief were very few. The paupers in the house continue to be smaller in number than is customary at this season, there being 129 against 140 in the corresponding week of last year. The recipients of out-relief are also fewer, the relative numbers being 798 at a cost of £89 5s. 11½d., and 841 at a cost of £94 0s. 0¼d. A letter was received from Mr. Atter, clerk to the Stamford Local Board, asking the Guardians of the rural parishes in the Union to join the Local Board in the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health, as required by the Public Health Act, 1872. The letter intimated that application had also been made to the Bourn, Oakham and Uppingham Boards to join in the appointment. The object is to secure the services of a competent officer at a liberal salary, one half of which will be paid by the Government.
Showers of meteors were observed in Stamford and different parts of the county on Wednesday evening. Mr. E. J. Lowe, of Highfield House, near Nottingham, states that from 10 minutes to 6 to half-past 7 over 16,000 meteors fell. The display was very beautiful.
The licensed victuallers of Stamford have recently formed a trade association, and they have arranged to have an inaugural dinner on the 9th of next month at the Corn-Exchange. The member for the borough Sir J. C. D. Hay, has consented to preside.
By the expansion of the Sanitary Committee of Stamford Town Council a grievance which has been occasionally complained of for a long time is likely to be removed. When the streets were under the control of the Improvement Commissioners a rule was enforced that no pig or stable manure or night soil should be removed between 8 o’clcok in the morning and midnight; but when the powers of the Commissioners passed into the hands of the Sanitary Committee, the rule was relaxed and the removal of filth was permitted at all hours of the day. At the first meeting of the Committee of the whole Council, Mr. O. Edmonds called attention to the fact, and a resolution was forthwith passed that the orders of the limited committee on this subject should be rescinded. It seemed an anomaly that in the face of a large expenditure out of the general rates to remove nuisances from the dwellings of the poor, the olfactory sense of the public should be offended by a greater nuisance in the streets. Attention was also called to the deficient lighting of the streets and the obstructions which some tradesmen cause by placing their goods on the foot-pavements and the roadway. The inspector was ordered to caution offenders that if the obstruction be persisted in legal proceedings will be taken against them.
The Post-office at Ketton will be opened for the transaction of telegraphic business on the 2d.
Billingboro’ – The line of railway through this parish having become on Sundays a frequent promenade for pedestrians the Great Northern Company have erected notices warning trespassers that they will be prosecuted.
200 years ago
November 29, 1822
On Sunday last the two annual sermons were preached at Barn-hill chapel in this place, (by the Rev. Mr. Fletcher) for the benefit of the Methodist Sunday-school: the congregation was numerous and respectable, and the collection amounted to £13. In this excellent institution 153 children are educated.
During the night of Saturday last some persons broke into the warehouse belonging to Mr. Wright, ironmonger, of High-street, Boston, and stole a barrel of gunpowder.
On Saturday last, Lucy Barber, the “wise woman” of Market Deeping, was taken before the magistrates at Bourn, on a charge of extorting money, under the pretence of foretelling future events, from Mrs. Odell, wife of Mr. Odell, hatter, of Deeping. After a suitable admonition from the magistrates, she was discharged, on paying expenses, and promising not to offend again.
A Sheep-Killing – On Tuesday evening last, about 8 o’clock, a person accidentally passing through the grounds of Mr. Brown, farmer, at Elmington, near Oundle, perceived two sheep lying dead, and on examination found that they had their throats cut, and most likely would speedily have been taken away. We are sorry to say that, although the owner thus saved the carcases of his sheep, the villains by whom they were butchered are at present undiscovered.
On Monday last an inquest was taken before Geo. White, Gent. coroner, at Swaton, near Falkingham, on view of the body of Frances Wilson, a child about five years old, the daughter of Thomas Wilson, of that place, labourer, who in the temporary absence of the mother, and while playing with some other children on the Saturday preceding, accidentally set its clothes on fire. The poor little girl running into the open air, the wind, which was very high, caused the conflagration to spread with such rapidity, that in an instant the body appeared enveloped in flames, and, according to the witnesses, resembled a gorse-bush on fire: with great presence of mind this witness, Mr. Modd, of Swaton, almost immediately stripped off all the clothes, but the poor child had suffered so dreadfully from the effects of the fire, that her back, sides, neck, and face, were perfectly scorched, and she died in about 12 hours. Verdict of the jury, accidental death.
An inquest was held at West Deeping on Saturday the 16th inst. by Samuel Edwards, Gent. coroner, on view of the body of Thomas Page, a man in the 70th year of his age, who died on the preceding day. He being addicted to excessive drinking, it was supposed that he was inebriated on the Thursday evening, and he was on that account suffered by the woman at whose house he lodged to lie upon a stone floor for several hours before she called in medical assistance: at length the deceased not recovering from his supposed state of intoxication, the woman became alarmed, and a surgeon was sent for, but the vital spark was extinct before his arrival. It was ascertained by evidence that the deceased died of apoplexy, but that it did not arise from the immediate effect of intoxication.
