Welcome to the second edition of our bi-monthly newsletter.
Members meeting March 6th
About 35 members met for an informal discussion. The newsletter will appear every 2 months and will be distributed by email where possible. An annual printed journal, in the format of the previous newsletters will also be produced, around the time of the AGM.
Short presentations were given on the Sundial Project, the Local History Society, 2013 visits and talks, the Urban Group and the QR code project. A brief discussion and Q&A session followed.
The Sundial Project
The last newsletter reported the removal of the old sundial for conservation; this one can report its return to its new resting place, inside All Saints’ Church, by the North door.
The iron pins used to secure the pediment to the dial and the dial to the parapet had rusted and expanded, forcibly splitting the stone and leading to its failure. In addition, the iron fixings used to secure the gnomon to the face of the dial caused a longitudinal crack extending the full length of the dial. Inappropriate cement mortars were then used to repair this damage – probably on two separate occasions in the late nineteenth century – these mortars exacerbated the damage further.
Work is continuing on the carving and painting of the new sundial; we are hopeful that it will be in place before Easter. Information boards, similar to those the Civic Society has put at other sites in Stamford, will follow.
The Civic Society website has a collection of photographs showing the progress of the project.
Events programme
Thursday 11 April 2.00pm to 4.00pm: A tour and talk at Tolethorpe Hall.
This is the perfect time of year to visit Tolethorpe; everything is ready for the new season, there are lambs in the fields and the blossom is out. The meeting place is the car park at Tolethorpe at about 1.45pm. The cost will be £5 per head, to include tea/coffee and biscuits. Tickets are available from The Secretary, address below.
Saturday 11 May, 10.30am to 12.00pm: Coffee morning at St Leonard’s Priory
The Society looks after the site of St Leonard’s Priory and has improved it over the years by installing an information board and planting many spring bulbs and a Mulberry tree. Join us for coffee and see how the grounds are looking – guests are welcome, and there is no need to book.
Tuesday 18 June – 6pm :Tour of the private apartments of Burghley House
There are only 25 places for this event and we will carry out a draw to allocate tickets. To apply to be in the draw, please advise the Secretary by Friday 17 May 2013. This event is strictly members only. Please note the cost for this event will be £20 per person.
Thursday 11 July – 6.30pm to 8.30pm: Open Gardens around St George’s Square and St Mary’s
This event will be open to members only, and the evening will finish with drinks at the Arts Centre. A proportion of the ticket costs of £5 per person for this event will go to local charities.
Thursday 5 September 2013 – 2pm: Visit to Milton Hall, near Peterborough.
Milton Hall dates from 1594, and is the historical home of the Fitzwilliam family. Places will be in short supply, and we will hold a ballot if necessary. The cost will be £15 per person. Attendance will be limited to members only.
Thursday, 3 October 2013 7pm: AGM at the Town Hall.
More information to follow.
Wednesday 6 November – 5.30pm to 7.30pm: Private tour of Peterborough Museum.
This evening visit will start at 5.30pm with a glass of wine, followed by our tour round the recently refurbished museum from 6pm to 7.30pm. The cost is £7 per person.
Leet Court
We are aware that is last remnant of the castle has been sold at auction, and will be watching carefully to see what, if anything happens.
State of the town
Many people are concerned about dangerous potholes appearing in local roads. If you notice any problems with the highways do report it first to Lincolnshire Highways – there is an easy-to-use form on LCC’s website, or you can phone Lincolnshire Highways West tel: 01522 782070.
If there is a problem with paving then please contact Peter Stevens, 17 Barn Hill, Stamford PE9 2AE, [email protected], who maintains a prioritized log of problems which are passed on to Lincolnshire Highways for action.
Heritage Fair – Sunday 19 May
A number of Societies and organizations will be exhibiting at the one day event at the Arts Centre, including the Civic Society. More details in the May newsletter.
Heritage at Risk
Heritage Lincolnshire is running a conference on June 13th in Lincoln to mark the end of this national pilot project. The day-long conference will include a series of lectures and discussions.
Heritage open days
This year, the annual Heritage Open Days take place on 12 - 15 September; the Civic Society is expecting to be involved, and more information will follow.
Contact Details
Our website at
www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk has up to date information on events and projects.
Please contact Melanie Sockett, our Secretary for tickets and general information, by phone to 01780 752972, in writing to 16 Phillips Court, Stamford, PE9 2EE or by email to [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you at our events during 2013.
Gwyneth Gibbs
Chairman
Registered Charity No. 242571 email [email protected] www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk
Members meeting March 6th
About 35 members met for an informal discussion. The newsletter will appear every 2 months and will be distributed by email where possible. An annual printed journal, in the format of the previous newsletters will also be produced, around the time of the AGM.
Short presentations were given on the Sundial Project, the Local History Society, 2013 visits and talks, the Urban Group and the QR code project. A brief discussion and Q&A session followed.
The Sundial Project
The last newsletter reported the removal of the old sundial for conservation; this one can report its return to its new resting place, inside All Saints’ Church, by the North door.
The iron pins used to secure the pediment to the dial and the dial to the parapet had rusted and expanded, forcibly splitting the stone and leading to its failure. In addition, the iron fixings used to secure the gnomon to the face of the dial caused a longitudinal crack extending the full length of the dial. Inappropriate cement mortars were then used to repair this damage – probably on two separate occasions in the late nineteenth century – these mortars exacerbated the damage further.
Work is continuing on the carving and painting of the new sundial; we are hopeful that it will be in place before Easter. Information boards, similar to those the Civic Society has put at other sites in Stamford, will follow.
The Civic Society website has a collection of photographs showing the progress of the project.
Events programme
Thursday 11 April 2.00pm to 4.00pm: A tour and talk at Tolethorpe Hall.
This is the perfect time of year to visit Tolethorpe; everything is ready for the new season, there are lambs in the fields and the blossom is out. The meeting place is the car park at Tolethorpe at about 1.45pm. The cost will be £5 per head, to include tea/coffee and biscuits. Tickets are available from The Secretary, address below.
Saturday 11 May, 10.30am to 12.00pm: Coffee morning at St Leonard’s Priory
The Society looks after the site of St Leonard’s Priory and has improved it over the years by installing an information board and planting many spring bulbs and a Mulberry tree. Join us for coffee and see how the grounds are looking – guests are welcome, and there is no need to book.
Tuesday 18 June – 6pm :Tour of the private apartments of Burghley House
There are only 25 places for this event and we will carry out a draw to allocate tickets. To apply to be in the draw, please advise the Secretary by Friday 17 May 2013. This event is strictly members only. Please note the cost for this event will be £20 per person.
Thursday 11 July – 6.30pm to 8.30pm: Open Gardens around St George’s Square and St Mary’s
This event will be open to members only, and the evening will finish with drinks at the Arts Centre. A proportion of the ticket costs of £5 per person for this event will go to local charities.
Thursday 5 September 2013 – 2pm: Visit to Milton Hall, near Peterborough.
Milton Hall dates from 1594, and is the historical home of the Fitzwilliam family. Places will be in short supply, and we will hold a ballot if necessary. The cost will be £15 per person. Attendance will be limited to members only.
Thursday, 3 October 2013 7pm: AGM at the Town Hall.
More information to follow.
Wednesday 6 November – 5.30pm to 7.30pm: Private tour of Peterborough Museum.
This evening visit will start at 5.30pm with a glass of wine, followed by our tour round the recently refurbished museum from 6pm to 7.30pm. The cost is £7 per person.
Leet Court
We are aware that is last remnant of the castle has been sold at auction, and will be watching carefully to see what, if anything happens.
State of the town
Many people are concerned about dangerous potholes appearing in local roads. If you notice any problems with the highways do report it first to Lincolnshire Highways – there is an easy-to-use form on LCC’s website, or you can phone Lincolnshire Highways West tel: 01522 782070.
If there is a problem with paving then please contact Peter Stevens, 17 Barn Hill, Stamford PE9 2AE, [email protected], who maintains a prioritized log of problems which are passed on to Lincolnshire Highways for action.
Heritage Fair – Sunday 19 May
A number of Societies and organizations will be exhibiting at the one day event at the Arts Centre, including the Civic Society. More details in the May newsletter.
Heritage at Risk
Heritage Lincolnshire is running a conference on June 13th in Lincoln to mark the end of this national pilot project. The day-long conference will include a series of lectures and discussions.
Heritage open days
This year, the annual Heritage Open Days take place on 12 - 15 September; the Civic Society is expecting to be involved, and more information will follow.
Contact Details
Our website at
www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk has up to date information on events and projects.
Please contact Melanie Sockett, our Secretary for tickets and general information, by phone to 01780 752972, in writing to 16 Phillips Court, Stamford, PE9 2EE or by email to [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you at our events during 2013.
Gwyneth Gibbs
Chairman
Registered Charity No. 242571 email [email protected] www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk
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