Mercury Memories: Find out what was in the Rutland and Stamford Mercury newspaper at this time of year in the past
10 years ago
Stamford Hospital is to undergo a £12m revamp over the next three years.
Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Trust, which owns the hospital, has unveiled its exciting plans for a healthcare campus.
It has appointed technical advisors to draw up plans and they are now searching for a private developer to get involved toward the cost. It is not yet known how the joint venture would work.
As part of the scheme, which will be complete by 2013, the buildings will be updated. There will be a complete refurbishment of the theatre block and a possible expansion by adding a second theatre.
The trust also wants to improve its outpatients areas, provide extra minor injuries services and improve clinical services by providing a range of therapies and pain management, renal dialysis, palliative care and haematology.
It is also looking to expand its mobile diagnostics and already has a visiting MRI scanner which comes to the hospital twice a week.
Youngsters in Collyweston raised £84 for the Playing Field Association by holding an afternoon tea and meet and greet in the village hall.
The group was formed by young people in the village to help raise the £74,000 needed for a new playing area, pavilion and car parking facilities for the playing field.
The team has already secured £35,000 and is hoping to raise more from the Government’s Play Builder Scheme.
Village clerk, Jo Hemingway, said: “It went brilliantly. I lost count of the amount of people that came, and at one point we had no seats for anyone to sit on.
“We have a group of 10 children with ages ranging from 10 to 15.
“They were all very well behaved on the day and I’m very proud of them.”
Among the stalls for the meet and greet session were village groups including the Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society, the Collyweston Ramblers and the Collyweston Players. There were also representatives from Community Watch and the police.
A fire and rescue service is alerting residents to bogus callers claiming to be selling fire extinguishers.
The warning comes following reports of bogus callers dressed as firefighters in Rutland.
At about 9pm on Thursday last week a man wearing uniform with a badge which said Kettering fire station walked into a home in Gretton Road, Lyddington.
Self-employed Ian Barrow, 49, asked what he was doing and the man claimed Mr Barrow’s wife had asked him to check for an
extinguisher.
Mr Barrow’s wife was abroad at the time and the intruder was told to leave before the police were called.
Nothing was stolen but police are concerned about the caller’s motives.
Mr Barrow said: “He just walked straight in through an open door, saying he was from Kettering fire station and he was in charge of fire alarms, but we know the fire safety officer at Kettering so we knew he was a fake.
“He was dressed in what looked like a uniform with smart blue work trousers and a fleece with a fire service badge on it. I asked him to leave again, in no uncertain terms, and he went.”
25 years ago
Langtoft is to get its own May festival as part of a massive fund-raising project to collect more than £70,000 to restore the local church.
A few months ago a study was carried out at the St Michael and All Angels Church and four main areas have been determined for renovation work – with a price tag in the region of £165,000.
English Heritage has offered to pay 55 per cent of the costs but it leaves the church’s restoration fund committee having to find ways of raising about £77,000.
A number of small events, such as a gift day, fashion show and a bell ringing concert has put just under £1,000 in the kitty, but one of the main fund-raising events will be the festival next month.
The festival will be staged in the village on Sunday May 7 and Monday May 8, to coincide with the Spalding tulip parade.
Lincolnshire Police has decided to appeal against a Government decision to cap its budget in the same week that Home Office figures show a reduction in the county’s recorded crime.
Last week Environment Secretary John Gummer decided county police chiefs could not demand an extra £1.8 million from council tax payers above its allotted budget of £5.8 million for 1995/96.
Police authority chairman Roy Staples said: “We’re appealing on the grounds that our budget is at the lowest level possible to maintain our standards of policing. We’re not planning to increase our service, but fighting to maintain it as it is.”
Lincolnshire Police is determined to save 59 jobs that will have to go if it does not get the extra cash.
Mr Staples said no police station will close – but some would not be open to the public.
And if the police authority’s appeal is rejected it will be facing a £350,000 bill from South Kesteven District Council for re-issuing council tax demands meaning further cuts in policing.
Garden centres and stores hit by new trading laws are gearing themselves up for Easter chaos this weekend as they are forced to turn away hundreds of shoppers.
Legislation means stores with more than 3,000 square feet floor space will have to shut up shop or face fines of up to £50,000 and traders are employing people just to tell customers they are not open.
“There won’t be just Easter chicks on Sunday, there will be headless chickens because people won’t know what to do. Gardening is the biggest leisure activity but every garden centre will be closed this Sunday,” said Helpston Garden Centre owner David Cinavas.
He is keen to launch a campaign to prompt a Government re-think and will have a petition for people to sign at the store.
Traditionally Easter Sunday is one of the biggest selling days for garden centres and Mr Cinavas estimates it represents £2,000-£3,000 worth of sales.
The Easter Sunday trading ban will threaten livelihoods according to Andy Parrott partner at the Waterside Garden Centre near Baston.
“It is absolutely disgusting. I am going to have hundreds of upset customers. It is a complete and utter farce.
“Sunday is my biggest day. I am going to have to bring in staff to tell customers we are not open.”
50 years ago
Now that sewage schemes for the larger villages, such as the Deepings, Billingborough, Folkingham and Pointon, were either completed or being worked on, Councillor Harold Scarborough (Rippingale), is pressing for a speedy start to the Rippingale scheme.
That village, he told South Kesteven Rural Council on Thursday, was suffering from having no scheme. It was suitable for more house building if facilities were available. He said that 64 more houses could be built.
Stating that this was a lack of foresight, he added: “There are still 22 pre-war houses in Rippingale without sanitation. The Rippingale scheme has been put at the back of the list for sewering. The scheme, by now, should be completed and in operation.”
He reminded the Council that since he first represented Rippingale, six years ago, he had pressed for the village to be sewered.
When Mr. J. J. C. Goulder (Clerk) told South Kesteven Rural Council, on Thursday, that Ministry approval to go ahead with building Bourne Health Centre had been received, Dr John Galletly (Hacconby) emphasised his regrets at the delay.
“I suggest that we acknowledge the letter (from the Ministry) with regrets that it has taken five years to bring the scheme forward. The cost in that time, has doubled.”
He compared the speed with which, in 1939, improvements were made to Bourne Chest Hospital, and added: “Yet in 1970, it has taken five years to start.”
Councillor William Andrews of Deeping St James, asked: “Are we going to wait for another war before we get a health centre at Market Deeping?”
Stamford may be a step nearer comprehensive education with the publication of the Public Schools Commission’s second report.
The report recommends the end of direct grant schools, such as Stamford School and Stamford High School, with their incorporation into the comprehensive system.
Kesteven Education Committee’s working party, set up to produce comprehensive proposals for the county, has been waiting for the Commission’s second report before considering a scheme for Stamford.
The working party has not met since the report was published two weeks ago, but it is understood they will be considering its proposal at their next meeting.
Stamford could be the last town to be considered by the working party because the position is complicated by the presence of the two direct grant schools.
In fact the party may decide to wait until the Government has announced what action it intends to take on the commission’s recommendations.
It is thought unlikely that the Government will do anything about the report until after the General Election.
Eight tons of chocolate blocking the A1 at Tickencote brought traffic chaos to the centre of Stamford on Tuesday morning.
An articulated lorry carrying the chocolate jack-knifed and overturned at the Tickencote roundabout and blocked the south-bound lane of the by-pass.
Police diverted all south-bound traffic through Great Casterton and Stamford.
Motorists driving to work found the traffic flow reduced to a crawl because of heavy vehicles forced to come through the town.
100 years ago
Stamford School Roll of Honour – A record is being compiled of the war service of all old boys of the Grammar school. Will all those who have not hitherto sent in names and details of service kindly do so to Capt. C. H. Joyce, Walsoken House, Stamford.
Fat Stock Show Society – The annual meeting will be held at the Crown Hotel next Monday, at 2.30 p.m., when all subscribers are earnestly requested to attend. Special business will come under discussion.
A Suggestion – It having of late been the unpleasant experience of a number of travellers arriving in Stamford by the 4.45 p.m. G.N. train from Wansford to find there was no connection the same night for stations a few miles away, since the time of departure of the 5.5 p.m. has been altered to 4.40 p.m., it has been suggested that the convenience of not a few would be served by putting forward by a few minutes the time of departure from Wansford of the train mentioned.
Floods – Consequent upon the heavy rains of last week the already swollen current of the Welland overflowed its banks on Saturday morning, and the water rose with such rapidity that in three or four hours the adjoining meadows were inundated to a depth of several feet and residents in low-lying districts were compelled to resort to the use exclusively of their upper apartments. A quantity of stock was drowned in the outlying districts and the spectacle was witnesses of quite a number of dead lambs and pigs borne down by the swiftly-running stream. With an abatement of the rains on Sunday came a welcome subsidence in the floods, but the damage and inconvenience which had been caused was not inconsiderable.
Board of Guardians – Monday: the Marquess of Exeter presided. It was decided to buy new books for the chapel, the Master remarking they had had none since - “well, since Queen Victoria.” (Laughter.) - It was decided to pay the painter and engineer £1. 1s. each for overtime on work in connection with renovating the chapel. An inquiry by Mr. Toms elicited the information that they had worked eleven hours. In reply to Mr. Toms, the Master said the quantity of coal in hand was very small – merely a “hand to mouth” supply.
Swimming Club – A meeting of members of the Stamford Swimming Club, which has been suspended during the war, was held in the Town Hall on Monday evening, the Mayor (Mr. H. Cliff) presiding. It was resolved to restart the club. It was decided to request the Baths Committee of the Town Council to set apart Thursday evenings for the exclusive use of the Club, and also that the bath be reserved for family bathing between 4 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays. Mr. E. E. Blackstone, treasurer of the Sports Committee since the war commenced, reported that on that account there was a credit balance of £18 7s. 10d., and he believed there was a balance of £5 18s. 2d. standing to the credit of the Club, making a total balance in hand of £24 6s. It was decided to suggest to the Baths Committee that members of the Club be granted a season ticket at 2s. less than the ordinary price. On the proposition of Mr. Joyce a vote of thanks to the Mayor for occupying the chair and for the loan of the room, was carried with acclamation.
150 years ago
The Easter vestries in the Stamford churches are likely to excite more discussion this year than is customary, in consequence of the proposal to establish the weekly offertory being submitted to the vote of the parishioners. The subject has already given rise to much conversation, and the prevalent opinion is that weekly collections will be objected to in all the parishes. There has never been any want of liberality at the vestries for the due support of the church, nor is there likely to be at the forthcoming meetings; but the tendency to innovations is in many places so marked, and occasionally leads to so much unchristian disagreement, that the quiet-loving laity have become justifiably suspicious and reasonably cautious.
There are six candidates for the office of house surgeon and secretary of the Stamford and Rutland Infirmary about to be vacated by Mr. Rew. The medical staff and managing committee, after examining the testimonials, have agreed to submit favorably the names of four gentlemen to the general meeting of governors, but the election, which will take place on Tuesday next, will be open to the whole six.
The Midlent theatrical season terminated on Saturday last. The support accorded to the new managers has been somewhat scanty, but on Friday evening there was a full box and pit audience in compliment to the Mayor, when the play of Money was respectably performed, the principal characters having been cleverly depicted. The ballet dancing was a feature which gave evident delight. Mr. John Windley announced the re-appearance of the company next month for the race week.
Equestrian performances are generally well patronised in Stamford, and a visit of Powell and Clarke’s troop on Tuesday was no exception to recent experience. The booth in the evening was crammed, and the performances are spoken of as satisfactory. The processional display through the streets excited the admiration of the inhabitants.
Stamford races are fixed for the 26th of May, but up to the present time, as we are informed, no programme of the sport has been issued, nor a committee formed.
Some houses erected in the Tudor and Stuart periods, on the south side of Castle-street, Stamford, the property of the Marquis of Exeter, are being taken down, they having become in a very dilapidated state.
Market Deeping – Much conversation has been held upon the great number of deaths of aged people recorded in the obituary of this paper during some weeks past. Taking from the 4th of March to the 1st of April we have recorded deaths, which have taken place principally in the county of Lincoln, 130 from 70 to 80 years of age, 99 from 80 to 90, 15 from 90 to 100, and 4 at 100; males 118, females 130: total, 248 deaths from 70 to 100 years.
On Thursday the 7th a poor-rate of 1s. and a highway-rate of 4d. in the pound was laid for Market Deeping.
Mr. Payne nightly continues to entertain crowded houses with his instructive theatrical performances. The inhabitants have solicited him to prolong his stay over Easter week.
Thurlby – The village has again been thrown into all the excitement connected with the polling of a parish for Guardian. At the annual vestry on the 24th inst. Mr. W. Hubbard was nominated by Mr. J. Creasey, and Mr. R. Bettinson was nominated by Mr. W. Bland. Mr. Hubbard was returned by a majority of 77 the result of the voting being, for Mr. Hubbard 132, Mr. Bettinson 55.
200 years ago
Stamford Races, 1820,
Will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 27th, 28th, and 29th of June.
A Maccaroni Stakes of 25gs. each, 15 forfeit, for horses that have never won plate or sweepstakes before the day of naming, and that have been regularly hunted the preceding season. Four-year-olds to carry 10st. 4lb.; five-year-olds, 1lst.; six-year-olds and aged, 11st. 6lb. To start at the beginning of the straight mile, and to run once round the course, about two miles and a quarter. Mares and geldings to be allowed 3lb. Gentlemen riders. To name to Mr. Saile, Clerk of the Course, or to Mr. Weatherby, Oxenden-street, London, on or before the first of May, 1820.
Sweepstakes of 10gs. each, p. p. for all ages; twice round. Three-year-olds to carry 6st.; four-year-olds, 7st. 4lb.; five-year-olds, 8st.; six-year-olds, 8st. 7lb.; and aged, 8st. 11lb. To be run for on the last day of the races. Five subscribers, or no race. The subscription to close, and horses, &c. to be named to the Clerk of the Course, on the Saturday preceding the races. Mares and geldings allowed 3lb.
At the quarter sessions of the peace held at Falkingham on Tuesday last, the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, were taken by all the Magistrates present, namely, William Augustus Johnson, Esq. the Rev. Bernard Cracroft, John Myers, jun., Jonathan Kendal, Brownlow Villiers Layard, Samuel Edmund Hopkinson, and William Waters, Clerks; and also by the Clerk of the Peace.
At Boston division sessions on Tuesday, there was not any prisoner for trial: the court was engaged from about eleven o’clock till four in hearing appeals and matters of assault, none of which were of particular interest.
Caution to Publicans – On Saturday last Henry Hydes, landlord of the Wheat Sheaf public-house at Eastfield, was convicted before the magistrates at Peterborough in 10s.with costs, for suffering tippling in his house on the Sunday preceding during divine service.
On Wednesday afternoon an inquest was taken at Peterborough, by John Atkinson, Gent., upon the body of John Leversidge, who, as he was counting some money on the evening before, dropped out of his chair and expired immediately. Verdict: Died by the visitation of God.
For the Manor of Baston, on Tuesday the Twenty-fifth day of April inst., at Eleven o’clock in the forenoon.
At which times and places all persons who have not been admitted to their Copyhold Estates are required personally to attend.
Benjn. Smith, Steward.
A history of Pick Motors in Stamford