Work to start next year on conserving historic Stamford Town Hall panel

Work on conserving a historic panel in Stamford Town Hall will begin next year.

The conservation and cleaning of the first and earliest of five historic panels located in the building will be undertaken by specialists from the University of Lincoln.

The painted panel, which is located upstairs in the Court Room, contains a brief declaration of all the names of those who have been Aldermen of the Borough and Town of Stamford from 1461, since the Charter of the Corporation which was granted by King Edward IV in the first year of his reign.

Following extensive investigation and tests being undertaken, Stamford Town Council appointed Lincoln Conservation from the University of Lincoln to undertake the project.

Town clerk Patricia Stuart-Mogg said: “It is anticipated that this work will take several weeks and once completed, we look forward to this notable piece of history being restored and enjoyed by all who visit the Town Hall.”

Rhiannon Clarricoates, a conservator and senior research fellow at the University of Lincoln, said they planned to start work on the panel in the last week of February.

“I’ll be working with a colleague and it will take about four weeks to complete,” said Rhiannon.

“It is a slow and painstaking process and we’ll be working from scaffolding especially set up.”

She said they would be using an “approved solvent” to remove a layer of varnish which had discoloured over the years.