From the Chairman
Well! here we are already, the 2019 Year-end Newsletter – they say “time flies when you are enjoying yourself” and, if you are feeling this same time-flying experience, then hopefully at least some of your enjoyment relates to your membership of our Society! I have enjoyed my first year as your Chairman thanks to Members’ steadfast support for our activities both project related and social. The Committee as a whole appreciates your backing and, indeed, the confidence shown in them with their re-election for a further year at the October AGM held at the Town Hall. There was just one Committee change, owing to other time consuming commitments, Michael Thompson retired to the ‘back benches’, offering continued support from there and we thank him for his valuable contribution over the years. |
The administrative tasks intrinsic with an AGM were completed relative - ly quickly without contention and Steve Bowyer, Chief Executive Invest SK, followed with a very open and frank talk regarding Stamford’s high standing in the Lincolnshire heritage portfolio. There was lively interac - tion between Steve and the Members and an enjoyable social period saw out the evening. One of the points raised by Members at the AGM was a request to widen the Society’s Planning Application reviews to include sig- nificant developments outside the Conservation Area and, in response the Committee has decided to add the following line to the Planning reference on our website under “About the Society”: ‘Although our primary focus is on Stamford’s conservation area, we are always happy to discuss develop - ments elsewhere in Stamford wherever it may be helpful. Please contact us if you would like our advice or support’. |
Project update
Work by the Millstream Improvement Project Group continues apace and as result of some strong support from Anglia Water, the pump feeding the stream from the Welland River is now delivering its maximum authorized drawdown. Enhancement of the Millstream banks and river bed clearance is steadily progressing and an application to SKDC Community Fund to support future phases of the overall plan has recently been submitted. |
Recent events
Members painted a somewhat surreal scene as they stood in their bright orange jackets, white helmets, goggles and protective gloves in the middle of a huge Rutland quarry on a glorious Autumn day – they were taking part in September’s SCS outing to Hanson Cement, Ketton works. ‘Awesome’ was the only word to describe this Giant’s chemical ‘kitchen’ utilizing mined limestone and clay ingredients, massive mixers and milling equipment and ‘cooking’ in a huge horizontal rotating ‘oven’ at a kiln temperature of 1450 degrees to produce 4,000 tonnes per day of cement. |
On a very chilly November evening the cosy atmosphere of Browne’s Hospital Hall, with its warm open fire, was a welcoming location for our November Event. A change to our speaker was necessary as result of the sad passing last August of Gill Darby who was scheduled to speak on ‘The Fine Arts’. Bearing in mind the very topical news headline issue of widespread river flooding, we were fortunate to be able to engage Chris French from The Welland Rivers Trust to talk to us about river flow management. |
Chris gave us an informative and entertaining presentation with some excellent visual aids. He covered the impact over the years of river rerouting and deterioration (through lack of appropriate maintenance) and explained the current strategy of ‘catchment based’ water management with its implications in respect of ground works and funding. |