From the Chairman
I expect all Members will have been shocked by the sudden untimely death, at the end of March, of our hard working and popular Secretary Dr. David Langridge. David was a consummate professional and a superb organizer and will be much missed but I know he would have wanted us to continue building on the considerable contribution he made to the running of our Society. Of course this unexpected event meant that we have had to look for a new Secretary and I am pleased to say that local Stamfordian Dianne Parkin has agreed to take on this role. In addition to this appointment and, in line with our plan to strengthen our Committee by co-opting some representatives from major ‘influencers’ on Stamford’s built heritage, we have recruited Stuart Burns, Head of Building Services, Burghley Estates and Hannah Hamilton, Director of Development and External Relations, Stamford Endowed Schools. |
We have continued to enhance our communications by improvements to our Website and by adopt- ing a more proactive stance on Facebook and Twitter. We haven’t forsaken ‘analogue’ communications, however - our information display boards located in St John’s Church have been completely updated and revamped. The medieval Church of St. John the Baptist, with its fascinating period features and ‘open door’ policy, on the corner of our central Red Lion Square provides an ideal home for our display. One of the intriguing aspects of the Church is its ‘secret garden’ and small burial area ‘hidden’ at the side and back of the building. |
At the beginning of March 2019, the Society hit the national media headlines with the controversy surrounding our support for the repair and retention of the currently deteriorating Yorkstone Setts in Red Lion Square. Lincolnshire County Council Highways (the responsible authority) is due to review the position in the coming months and we will be formally submitting our comprehensive reports on the technical and aesthetic components of the determination during the consultation period. |
Project update
Efforts to restore the flow in the Millstream at the edge of the Meadows are well underway under the auspices of the “Millstream Improvement Project Group” chaired by Amelia Billington. The Environment Agency and Anglia Water Authority are fully engaged with first stage funding in place. Ideas regarding bollards, seating, lighting and ‘focal point’ aimed at enhancing the Sheep Market area are cur- rently being pulled together by community, planning and local government groups. |
We continue to press for action on the maintenance of our town paved areas and our comprehensive Paving Survey report has been submitted to the responsible authority. We were pleased to give our support, in a small administrative way, to Don Lambert’s marvelous initiative to place uniquely crafted benches in honour of our military services at Castle Dyke and at the War Memorial. |
Recent events
The April Event at Brownes Hospital saw Don Chiswell of Peterborough Museum entertain us with the fascinating history of both the Longthorpe Tower building itself and the artefacts within. Don took us on a detailed ‘tour’ of the considerable art works displayed on the inner wall surfaces, most dating from the 14th. century. |
Upcoming events
June sees us at our ‘Midsummer Party at St. Leonard’s Priory’ where we warmly welcome Members and Guests to a very social evening with canapés, liquid refreshment and ‘a little light music’. The fine setting of one of our oldest and impressive buildings makes for a relaxing and ‘feel good’ evening. Friday 21st. June 2019 (Midsummer Day) 6.30 to 8.30pm. |
In August we visit Burghley for a conducted tour by the Estate’s Head Forester of the Ancient Trees there. 22 August 2019 afternoon.
Members at 31 May 2019: 235
Corporate Sponsors: 13
Planning Applications reviewed in 2019 for Stamford Conservation Area: 44
Jim Mason, Chairman