Stamford Civic Society

2012 is our 50th anniversary, and we propose to celebrate in style.

We will start with a series of lectures at Stamford Arts Centre – taking over some of the winter lecture series that the Museum made so successful. Our dates and speakers are:

2nd February 2012. Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of the Churches Conservation Trust will speak on “The Churches Conservation Trust, protecting historic churches at risk.”

The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. They have saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year. With their
help and your support they are kept open and in use - living once again at the heart of communities.

16th February 2012. Christopher Lewis, the ex-executive producer of the Antiques Road Show will give a talk entitled “A warm fire, a cup of tea and the Antiques Road Show”

It’s been compared to a favourite pair of slippers and even an Aga cooker. What is it that makes the Antiques Roadshow one of the most popular and long-lasting programmes on television? Is it a quiz show, a historical documentary or perhaps even a human drama? The Antiques Roadshow seems to provide something more than just bland entertainment – for many, it projects a sense of security and enduring family values in our changing society. Former Executive Producer Christopher Lewis discusses the origins and subsequent history of this extraordinarily successful television programme, with video clips from the programme’s archive and many a backstage tale.

28 February 2012. Stephen Alford, Fellow in History at King’s College, Cambridge, talks on “William Cecil and Stamford”.

Stephen specialises in the politics of England in the second half of the sixteenth century and is one of the leading experts on William Cecil, Lord Burghley (1520–1598), the closest adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. He has written a revealing and provocative biography, reconstructing the lifestyle and environment of this great Tudor minister.

22nd March 2012. Dai Morgan Evans, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Chester, speaking on “'From Great Casterton to Reality Television”.

Dai is popularly known for his television appearances in programmes such as Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, constructing the first Roman villa to be built in Britain since the Romans were here, using only Roman technology. He has directed numerous excavations – his very first dig was at Great Casterton. He worked for English Heritage from 1977 to 1992, and then became General Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London, retiring from the post in 2004. Last year Dai unveiled Stamford’s Blue Plaque which commemorates William Stukeley.

All lectures will start at 7.30pm and will be booked through the Arts Centre:

Other highlights of the year that we hope to organise include:

• Restoring or recreating a replica of the sundial on the south wall of All Saints’ Church - as a permanent commemoration.
• Coffee morning on Saturday 7 April at St Leonard’s Priory, to see the display of spring bulbs planted to enhance the Priory site
• Tours of the interiors of historic Stamford buildings, to tie in with Heritage Open Days weekend – 8/9 September.
• Talks on specific aspects of Stamford’s past related to the 1960s - connected with Stamford’s role in the Cold War, and also how the impact of changes in the National Health Service has affected the delivery of service and patient expectations.
• And finally, a drinks party for members, to celebrate the efforts of those involved with the Society over the years. This will be on Friday 12 October, at the Arts Centre, so please put that date in your diary now.