If you have not already paid for 2016-17 membership, this is due for payment now, please. We hope that you will renew your membership and continue your support. The cost remains £10 for single members, and £15 for two people living at the same address. Subscriptions can be paid by post to the Secretary. (New members who joined after 1st April are not expected to pay again now!).
If you have not signed a gift aid form, please consider doing this so we can get a further contribution back from the taxman. Forms are available from the Secretary.
Since the last newsletter
Tuesday 20th September: a private tour of Octavia Hill’s Birthplace in Wisbech. Octavia Hill was a social reformer and one of the founders of the National Trust. We enjoyed a tour led by the Birthplace Trust Chairman.
AGM & Awards: The AGM was well attended. The Chairman and Treasurer reports are available on the website. Awards were presented to:
Andrew Beeson: for renovating Cobblestone Yard.
John Dawson: for carrying out renovations to the shopfront of Dawson’s of Stamford in Red Lion Square and erecting a 1.9m gilded statue of Mercury on the top of the premises, facing down High Street.
The Rotary Clubs of Stamford: for bulb planting in many places around the town.
Mr & Mrs John Spooner, volunteers from the congregation of St George's Church: for creating a beautifully planted garden around the Church.
Peter Heyes - lifetime award for gardening services over very many years.
As usual, many people stayed on for drinks afterwards.
Thursday 17th November: Gil Darby gave another talk. After Wedgwood a couple of years ago, we moved to Meissen, with a talk entitled “A Passion for Porcelain; the Early Days of the Meissen Factory”.
Recent planning responses
The Kier proposal on the site to the south of Kettering Road has now been re-issued; the number of houses on the site has been reduced, but the Society will continue to oppose any building on this important greenfield site.
Events programme
Tickets are available from the Secretary. Unless otherwise advised, talks will be in Browne's Hospital at 7.30pm and cost £3.50.
Thursday February 16th at 7.30pm at Browne's: Stuart Orme makes a welcome return with a talk entitled “900 Years of an Icon: Peterborough Cathedral, Past, Present and Future”. Stuart is Head of Operations at the Cathedral.
Thursday March 16th at 7.30pm at Browne's: Our annual informal members' meeting round the fire at Browne's Hospital. There is no charge for this meeting.
Wednesday June 21st: we will hold the annual early evening drinks’ party at St Leonard’s Priory.
There will be events next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stamford becoming the UK's first Conservation Area. These will include a Civic Society exhibition in the Arts Centre between September 20th and 28th.
We also aim to arrange a tour of Peterborough Cathedral in April, a visit to Spalding Gentlemen’s Society in May and a return visit to Apethorpe Palace for 25 members in August.
Local Historians Wanted!
Historic England is asking local groups to share their knowledge and pictures of listed sites, so they can record important facts about them, and even unlock the secrets of some. They are looking for stories to tell and pictures to share about a listed place. Since launching in June, they have received over 15,000 contributions from people who have enriched the List with photographs, historical events, social history or information about the architecture or archaeology of a site. Please see their website for more information. (https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/enrich-the-list/).
St. Michael's Churchyard
You may have noticed work is ongoing here. The Urban Group has taken on the task of organising renovation of this area to make it more attractive for residents and visitors alike. Our thanks to all who have been involved in this project.
Invitation to a recital
St. Peter's Community Group have invited members to join them for a recital by the harpist Eleanor Turner on January 19th at the Masonic Centre, All Saints' St., 7 for 7.30. Eleanor is a member of the harp quartet 4 Girls 4 Harps and they recently celebrated their 15 year anniversary by founding the British Harp Chamber Music Competition, For further details see Eleanor's webpage: http://www.eleanorturner.biz/ The recital is free although donations will be welcome.
Illustrated note cards
Stamford Civic Society has produced a range of note cards, blank inside for use on all occasions, illustrated with images of special places in Stamford by the artist Karen Neale.
The A6 (105×148 mm) cards are sold in sets of 6 at £5.00. A set comprises 2 cards each of 3 different cover images and comes with envelopes. Two cover images are of St Leonard’s Priory and were specially commissioned by the Society, which helped to rescue and restore the Priory – the sole remnant of a Norman period structure in Stamford. The third image shows a selection of favourite buildings and places in the town chosen by Stamford primary school children.
You can purchase cards from Martin Lander by email at treasurer@stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk, telephone 01780 754567, or by post from 28 Christ Church Close, Stamford, PE9 1HS.
Sets will also be available for purchase at our talks.
And finally......
The next Newsletter will be in March 2017, as January 2017 will be publication time for the Society's Annual Review.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, and a happy and peaceful New Year.