The following week, we had a private evening tour of Browne’s Hospital, followed by coffee and cakes.
Recent planning responses
Nothing of importance to report. The Kier proposal on the site to the south of Kettering Road is still ongoing and we do not expect to hear more about that until much later in the year.
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.
Saturday 16 July 2016 from 6pm to 8pm: Our annual evening event at St. Leonard's Priory. Drinks, music and the attendance of local artist Karen Neale are arranged. This event is free to members; donations will be welcome.
We need some help in setting up the event in the morning; if you can give an hour or so of your time, please contact Melanie.
New - illustrated note cards
The Society is producing a range of illustrated notecards for sale. Each A6 card has an image of one or more notable buildings on its cover. The illustrations have been produced by the artist Karen Neale. We hope to launch the cards at the evening party at St Leonard’s Priory on 16 July. A pack of 6 cards, with envelopes, will be priced at £5.00.
For those who will not be coming to this event we will let you know arrangements for buying sets of cards.
Karen will be bringing along a range of her original artwork (including the St Leonard's pictures), prints and other merchandise, such as bags, for sale at the party. She would also be happy to take orders.
Wednesday August 17th at 10.30am – a private guided tour of Apethorpe Palace. This is fully booked; if you have a place and cannot use it, please let Melanie know, so we can give it to another member.
Tuesday 20th September 2016 at 10.30am: 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. See http://www.octaviahill.org for more information. Tickets cost £6, to include coffee and biscuits. Please note the closing date for tickets is September 6th, as we have to confirm numbers by then.
Thursday 13th October 2016 at 7.30pm in the Town Hall: the Society's AGM and Awards evening. Please put this date in your diary; the paperwork will follow in due course.
New Historic England initiative
The Enriching the List website has been launched by Historic England. The website gives a chance for everyone to share their knowledge about Listed Buildings across the country. You can find out more at www.historicengland.org.uk
Browne's Hospital News
Those who missed our visit to Browne's Hospital may like to know that they have an Open Day on 10th September, from 11am until 4pm in conjunction with Heritage Open Days. Entry is free.
Please also note that members are always welcome at the Holy Communion service at Browne’s Hospital every Tuesday at 10 am. The door we use for entry to meetings is locked; you have to go down the entrance corridor and turn right into the garden (the chain might have to be lifted up), walk across the grass and enter by the external chapel door.
Back copies of old newsletters
The Society has copies of many of our newsletters, but there are some gaps that we would like to fill. If you have copies that you do not want to keep particularly pre-1999, please contact Melanie.
Town improvements
Look out for improvements to the road surface in Crown Street later this summer. The Society has been campaigning for remedial action to be taken as this small road is in a very bad state. LCC Highways has now agreed to resurface the road.
You may have noticed that the lights on the Town Bridge are looking their age. Thanks to efforts by the Urban Group – with funding from the Town Council and the Civic Society - these will be replaced in the Autumn.
The Society's Annual Membership Drive
We carry out a membership drive every year, covering an area of Stamford, and we include an invitation to the St. Leonard's Priory event to meet us. This year we have covered the Empingham and Casterton Roads. If you know people in this area who are not members, do encourage them to join us.
The Society's Interpretation Boards
The boards at St. Peter's Gate, on Bath Row (for the castle site) and at St. Leonard's Priory have lasted well over the years, but are showing signs of wear. They are being re-surfaced with a stronger finish that should keep them looking good for many years to come.
Contact Details
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 info@stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk