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AGM 2011
Welcome to the combined Stamford Civic Society AGM and Awards evening.
As always, a special welcome to our President, Orlando Rock and to the award winners.
During the year, we have continued to monitor the planning applications for the centre of Stamford. We have resisted change where we thought it appropriate, and encouraged responsible changes in the Conservation Area where we felt that this enhanced the visual and economic life of the Town. Our planning sub-committee as always has been available to offer advice and assistance.
The society has had another year of interesting talks and visits. First, John Smith spoke on "Baroque Reinstated; neo baroque and classical architecture in the early twentieth century."
Then we went to the Great Hall at Burghley House, where our committee member Gil Darby spoke “Porcelain East to West: China to Burghley". We were delighted that some of the porcelain that she discussed was on show at the meeting.
In March, we had a talk by Stuart Orme, Historic Interpretation Manager at Peterborough museum, on Norman Cross, the first British POW camp.
In the summer, we had coach trips to Ely and Newark, and a visit to Elton Hall; the latter was made particularly memorable by the heaviest downpour I think I have ever seen.
June 24th was the first Civic Day, a nationwide Civic Society activity, organised by Civic Voice. We organised two school projects for this; students from the Endowed schools and Queen Eleanor schools debated the motion “This House believes that development for the future is more important for Stamford than preservation of the past” and Malcolm Sargent Junior school put together a quiz which was published in the Mercury.
We have two events this autumn: on October 24th, the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham will be hosting a drinks party for members with the artist Peter Ashley who has produced a stunning Stamford capriccio in attendance to give a short talk about his work and promote the print. The time is 6.30 to 7.30pm at Browne’s Hospital. The print will be on sale, and a significant part of the proceeds will go to the Civic Society. There is no charge for this event.
After her wonderful talk at Burghley last November, we have asked Gil Darby to talk again. This time, she will be talking about Twentieth Century Jewellery, and it will be at Browne’s Hospital on November 10th. Tickets are going fast!
Next year 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. Speakers will include:
Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of the Churches Conservation Trust on 2nd February.
Christopher Lewis, the ex-executive producer of the Antiques Road Show on 16th February
Stephen Alford, Fellow in History at King’s College, Cambridge.
Dai Morgan Evans, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Chester.
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.
On an administrative note, can I remind those of you who have email addresses, or who have changed their email address to let us know? It makes a big difference, both in terms of cost and effort if we can send information about forthcoming events via email. As I said in the AGM paperwork, Newsletters and AGM paperwork is always sent out by post, so we are only talking about small, information emails.
I would like to thank all the committee for the hard work that they continue to contribute to the Society. Without their help, none of the things I have been talking about could happen.
And finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your support of the Society, your attendance at the AGM and for listening.
Gwyneth Gibbs
October 2011
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