From the Chairman
Our minor technical issues, and the temporary, plainer newsletter format, continue for this edition. Normal service will be resumed in due course!
As the bursting champagne bubbles tickled our noses welcoming New Year 2020 and we looked forward to a full year’s programme of distinctive Society events who would have thought that, after only two of these events, the roof would come crashing down on our well ordered and tranquil world. A new word ‘Covid-19’ would dominate our conversation and its incursion would become the driving force in totally reorganising our lives – restricting our freedoms and considerably increasing awareness of our vulnerability. However, in spite of the confusing and gloomy prospects, we have adapted well with the sterling efforts of community groups and individual stoicism and, very swiftly it seems, we are at the end of the year with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Our increased knowledge of the characteristics and treatment of the Virus together with Vaccine availability in the immediate term, allow considerable cause for optimism. Of course there are huge issues in addressing the national collateral damage but it does seem there is now a distinct possibility of ‘face-to-face’ meetings after Easter.
As the bursting champagne bubbles tickled our noses welcoming New Year 2020 and we looked forward to a full year’s programme of distinctive Society events who would have thought that, after only two of these events, the roof would come crashing down on our well ordered and tranquil world. A new word ‘Covid-19’ would dominate our conversation and its incursion would become the driving force in totally reorganising our lives – restricting our freedoms and considerably increasing awareness of our vulnerability. However, in spite of the confusing and gloomy prospects, we have adapted well with the sterling efforts of community groups and individual stoicism and, very swiftly it seems, we are at the end of the year with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Our increased knowledge of the characteristics and treatment of the Virus together with Vaccine availability in the immediate term, allow considerable cause for optimism. Of course there are huge issues in addressing the national collateral damage but it does seem there is now a distinct possibility of ‘face-to-face’ meetings after Easter.
In respect of our 2021 Events Programme, we confirmed at our virtual AGM held on 12th. November that we would plan on making January and February virtual talks and then pick up as many of the postponed 2020 events as possible for the balance of the year. We also confirmed subscriptions would be waived for 2021 with individual refund arrangements for those who pay by Standing Order or Direct Debit. I am pleased to say that the AGM saw all the 2020 Committee agreeing to continue in 2021 and, with no other nominations, their election was confirmed providing continuity and stability during this rocky pandemic period. Looking back over the year my AGM Report referred to the fact that your Society had not been in hibernation and a number of significant actions had been possible in spite of ‘lockdown’ – these included the incorporation of the highly regarded “Men of the Stones” organisation into Stamford Civic Society and the finalisation of our descriptive ‘Historic Sites’ mobile ‘phone App which will be available to download in the early part of next year. We were also able to proceed with some important actions in support of our initiative to protect and enhance the ‘settings’ of our imposing individual heritage assets. The ‘street vistas’ of the Town were recognised as an absolutely key element of its perceived beauty by Dr. Fennel, who was a central figure in securing the award of first ‘Conservation Town’ back in 1967. Attention to the detail aspects of the Town’s presentation contribute in a subtle, but significant way, to the town’s appeal so important to the ‘visitor economy’ we rely on for viability. More information on some of the actions we have taken this year is covered in the ‘Urban Group Project Update’ part of this Newsletter.
Additionally we have continued to lend support to the ‘Stamford Millstream Improvement Group’ as the restorative and development project, that will considerably enhance the Meadow-side attractiveness, progresses to the next significant phase of channel works.
Additionally we have continued to lend support to the ‘Stamford Millstream Improvement Group’ as the restorative and development project, that will considerably enhance the Meadow-side attractiveness, progresses to the next significant phase of channel works.
Urban Group Project Update
Red Lion Square
Following our lobbying, Stamford Town Council has committed to re-arrange the benches to provide better access into the square and to properly maintain the planters. We have also requested that the benches be refurbished after years of neglect.
Horseshoe Lane
A project to replace old lighting on the Cosy Club building with new lights to match Red Lion Square was completed at the end of last year. Funding kindly provided by the Cosy Club.
Church Floodlighting
New floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church was completed recently, the result being a spectacular improvement. Funding was provided by the Skells Trust, Stamford Civic Society and two individual donors.
A trial was also carried out at St. Martin’s and St. John’s Churches but approval has yet to be agreed.
St. Michael’s Churchyard
Removal of unsightly skip bins was achieved following months of lobbying.
In conjunction with Stamford in Bloom (Duncan Lingard) a rainwater storage tank has been installed behind the car park to provide a supply for watering of plants and trees in the vicinity. A new tree has been set to replace the one damaged by landscaping contractors.
Sheepmarket
A project to re-model and improve the area of Sheepmarket next to the bus station was designed and budgeted to create a more attractive and user friendly social area. Unfortunately the pandemic stalled progress somewhat particularly with regard to input from SKDC. A recent meeting with the SKDC leader has however re-started the process with funding commitment albeit on a reduced budget. Design is currently being “value engineered” and it is hoped that the project can go ahead early next year.
Incorporation of the vacant building as a Visitor Information Centre/Café would be desirable but is not currently part of the scheme.
Paving Survey
Following our issue of an updated paving survey in March 2020 and several meetings/discussions with LCC councillors, £50k of funds were set aside by LCC to carry out long overdue remedial work. Our comprehensive paving survey has recently been further updated and issued to the appropriate parties.
Historic Plaques and Information Boards
Recognising the importance of ‘presentation’ we have researched and produced, for the first time, an inventory of all plaques and information boards in the Town. Each has been photographed and entered on a location map and an appropriate maintenance schedule put in place which will be managed by the Civic Society and supported where necessary by Stamford Town Council.
The weather damaged Sundial information board at All Saints Church is being kindly replaced by the original supplier, Rivermeade Signs.
The impressive ‘bronze’ plaque on Albert Bridge has now been sympathetically conserved reflecting the plaque’s provenance with evidence of an old previous attempt at repairing the lettering.
We continue to lobby the authorities for removal of illegal and unsightly signs and advertisement banners around the town centre.
Following our lobbying, Stamford Town Council has committed to re-arrange the benches to provide better access into the square and to properly maintain the planters. We have also requested that the benches be refurbished after years of neglect.
Horseshoe Lane
A project to replace old lighting on the Cosy Club building with new lights to match Red Lion Square was completed at the end of last year. Funding kindly provided by the Cosy Club.
Church Floodlighting
New floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church was completed recently, the result being a spectacular improvement. Funding was provided by the Skells Trust, Stamford Civic Society and two individual donors.
A trial was also carried out at St. Martin’s and St. John’s Churches but approval has yet to be agreed.
St. Michael’s Churchyard
Removal of unsightly skip bins was achieved following months of lobbying.
In conjunction with Stamford in Bloom (Duncan Lingard) a rainwater storage tank has been installed behind the car park to provide a supply for watering of plants and trees in the vicinity. A new tree has been set to replace the one damaged by landscaping contractors.
Sheepmarket
A project to re-model and improve the area of Sheepmarket next to the bus station was designed and budgeted to create a more attractive and user friendly social area. Unfortunately the pandemic stalled progress somewhat particularly with regard to input from SKDC. A recent meeting with the SKDC leader has however re-started the process with funding commitment albeit on a reduced budget. Design is currently being “value engineered” and it is hoped that the project can go ahead early next year.
Incorporation of the vacant building as a Visitor Information Centre/Café would be desirable but is not currently part of the scheme.
Paving Survey
Following our issue of an updated paving survey in March 2020 and several meetings/discussions with LCC councillors, £50k of funds were set aside by LCC to carry out long overdue remedial work. Our comprehensive paving survey has recently been further updated and issued to the appropriate parties.
Historic Plaques and Information Boards
Recognising the importance of ‘presentation’ we have researched and produced, for the first time, an inventory of all plaques and information boards in the Town. Each has been photographed and entered on a location map and an appropriate maintenance schedule put in place which will be managed by the Civic Society and supported where necessary by Stamford Town Council.
The weather damaged Sundial information board at All Saints Church is being kindly replaced by the original supplier, Rivermeade Signs.
The impressive ‘bronze’ plaque on Albert Bridge has now been sympathetically conserved reflecting the plaque’s provenance with evidence of an old previous attempt at repairing the lettering.
We continue to lobby the authorities for removal of illegal and unsightly signs and advertisement banners around the town centre.
Stamford Conservation Area Planning Matters
Our group of experts has continued to respond to Planning Applications with comments that reflect our Society’s aims and we have responded to some 86 Applications during the year. Local planning procedures are set for major changes in 2021 in accordance with a newly issued Government ‘White Paper’ which seeks to move to a “significantly simpler, faster, and more predictable system”. Although recognized, the role and influence of local communities is not clear and, as a sizeable community group, we propose to enhance our ‘proactive’ stance alongside our current ‘reactive’ planning response during 2021 with the aim of ensuring our Members’ are able to make a meaningful contribution to current and future plans going forward. Fortunately the recently issued ‘Stamford Neighbourhood Plan’ gives us a sound base to work off
Membership
The Society currently has 230 Members and 12 Corporate Sponsors and the support of both groups is much appreciated during these challenging times.
Let me sign off by wishing you a joyful, if ‘different’ Christmas, followed by celebration of the commencement of a completely new year of unspoiled optimism - let’s raise a glass with cheer and stride towards that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’! Your Committee is very much looking forward to meeting up with Members again as soon as it is judged safe to do so.
Jim Mason, Chairman
Let me sign off by wishing you a joyful, if ‘different’ Christmas, followed by celebration of the commencement of a completely new year of unspoiled optimism - let’s raise a glass with cheer and stride towards that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’! Your Committee is very much looking forward to meeting up with Members again as soon as it is judged safe to do so.
Jim Mason, Chairman
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