June 2019

In this month's newsletter, we introduce a new Secretary; give updates on some current projects; and cover recent and upcoming Society events.

From the Chairman

Jim Mason

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.

The Society's display boards in St John's Church

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

The illumination of our medieval churches along with enhancement of lighting in Red Lion Square and Horseshoe Lane is largely complete with impressive results in bringing out the architectural features of the buildings at night.

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.

The proposed developments on the Stamford Hospital site have been reviewed with the owners, North West Anglia Foundation Trust, to assess any contribution the Society may make to conservation/restoration of buildings particularly the ancient ‘Gate House’.

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

In March we had our annual Members Evening around the fire at Browne’s Hospital and enjoyed very inter- esting informal talks on ‘Heritage and the Visitor Economy’ from Claire Saunders and Andrew Norman from the newly set up SKDC Group focusing on the Heritage attraction of Lincolnshire Towns.

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.

Our May 2019 Event was originally planned as a visit to RAF Wittering but, for base operational reasons, we were unable to go ahead. However, the replacement event at Browne’s Hospital in the evening in no way disap- pointed. Well respected local historian Philippa Massey took us for a ‘walk’ along St. Martin’s high street and its ‘tributaries’ covering the history of each building in this once separate township of St. Martins South of the river. The origin of each ancient site and the very wide and varied activities and businesses that each building had hosted over the years made for a fascinating and extremely enjoyable talk.

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.

The Event for July anticipates Stamford’s Georgian Festival with a talk on this increasingly popular event by Micheal Cross. Thursday 25th. July 2019 Browne’s Hospital 7.30pm.

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