Since the last Newsletter
The Heritage Open Days were a great success, with over 150 visitors; our thanks to all who helped.
The Rotary Club of Stamford is planting crocus bulbs in St Michael's Churchyard. Watch out for the flowers in early Spring!
Last call for subscriptions
You can pay by cheque, posted to our Treasurer, Martin Lander, at 28 Christ Church Close, Stamford PE9 1HS; or a Standing Order can be set up with the form available either from him or from the website; or you can pay online via Internet banking to our account at HSBC, sort code 40-43-05, account no. 00784591: be sure to quote your name in the reference field. If you already pay by standing order, please ignore this request.
If you have not yet signed a standing order or a Gift Aid form, please consider doing so to reduce administration and enable us to get a significant percentage back from the taxman. Forms are available from Martin and the website.
50th Anniversary exhibition and reception
The exhibition illustrated Stamford’s wonderful architectural heritage. It also highlighted the threats to historic environments in the 1960s from rapid development and heavy traffic. Local people contributed their memories of the town before the Conservation Area. Splendid aerial photographs by local photographer David Baxter illustrated the compact nature of Stamford, surrounded by green meadows, and showed areas where development might take place.
Archive photos from Historic England’s collections illustrated representative aspects of the Conservation Area. We also ran a competition related to the places shown.
Over the nine days of the exhibition, concluding with a packed Reception on 28 September, we met many visitors who were interested in discussing aspects of life in the Conservation Area. Welcome guests at the Reception included the son of Dr Fennell, who was instrumental in Stamford becoming the first Conservation Area.
STAMFORD SCHOOLS HERITAGE FILM FESTIVAL
Short films on heritage themes produced by local schools were screened at a special event at the Arts Centre on 4 October. All 10 films can be seen at Stamford Library for a limited time.
Annual General Meeting
Andrew Beeson was elected as a committee member.
After the formal business of the meeting was completed, members enjoyed a social discussion over a glass of wine.
Forthcoming events
Tuesday, 14 November: (2pm, £5)
Places are still available for our private tour of this remarkable museum and archive with a huge variety of objects and memorabilia, not to be missed!
Please note that the stairs to the upper floor are steep and there are no facilities for disabled access. (www.spalding-gentlemens-society.org)
If you would like to join us, please let Martin know, via email to treasurer@stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk
EVENTS IN 2018
Browne’s Hospital, dates TBA
We are planning a talk by the Chairman on Dr Fennell’s role in making Stamford the first Conservation Area; the sociable Members’ Meeting; and a talk by local architect Simon Harris.
Society News
The Urban Group has been reconstituted as part of the Society. Members of the Group include David Taylor as chairman, Paddy Jelen and Graddon Rowlands. Don Lambert has retired from the group, but will continue to provide occasional support; we are most grateful to him.
PROGRESS ON GRAFFITI
The Society has made considerable progress in the past 12 months, working with SKDC, the Police and others. There were 13 locations with graffiti, some of them serious; we expect that this will have been reduced to one by the end of the year. The outstanding site is the wall within the Recreation Ground.
NEW MEMBERS CAN NOW JOIN ONLINE
We have added forms for new members to join on our website. Click on WHO WE ARE at the top of the page, and then on Membership form.
ANNUAL REVIEW
The popular Annual Review will be distributed early in the New Year. The next Newsletter will be the March edition.