In this newsletter: a virtual exhibition on our website; newly-discovered photos of 1960s Stamford; an appreciation of Richard Barry; forthcoming events; and Society news, including proposals for Red Lion Square.
Since the last Newsletter
On 8 February, Dr Melissa Thompson gave a talk entitled '70 Years of Listing Buildings'. Dr Thompson, a Designation Adviser at Historic England, is actively involved in the listing process. She gave an excellent presentation, which was well researched, superbly illustrated and delivered with both passion and humour. It was very much enjoyed by the large number of members present on a cold winter evening.
The Annual Review was distributed early in the New Year. If you did not receive your copy, please let us know and we'll get one to you.
The Annual Review was distributed early in the New Year. If you did not receive your copy, please let us know and we'll get one to you.
50th Anniversary Exhibition and 1960s photos - now online
The 50th anniversary exhibition is now available to view as a virtual exhibition on our website.
In late 2017, we received nearly 70 photographs of Stamford taken in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Ellis Miles, a founder member of the Society and a Committee member for many years. The pictures were generously supplied by Mr Geoffrey Lawrance, Ellis Miles's cousin, and scanned for the website by Dave Baxter.
In late 2017, we received nearly 70 photographs of Stamford taken in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Ellis Miles, a founder member of the Society and a Committee member for many years. The pictures were generously supplied by Mr Geoffrey Lawrance, Ellis Miles's cousin, and scanned for the website by Dave Baxter.
Richard Barry
Richard and Jenny Barry moved to Stamford in 1997 and in the last 20 years, Richard made a significant contribution to the life of the town. He is perhaps best known as the author of 113 articles for Stamford Living, all of them mini-masterpieces of English prose. His choice of subjects, ranging from the vogue for red trousers to a review of transport cafes on the A1, which he visited on his beloved motorbike, was invariably quirky. Each was a delight to read, superbly well-researched and eagerly anticipated by readers of the magazine.
Richard held senior executive positions in the oil industry in the course of which he and Jenny lived in seven different countries. He was a highly effective founding member and subsequently Chairman of the Urban Group of the Stamford Town Partnership and he also served on the Committee of the Society for ten years. He was a key member of the small team that brought the new sundial to All Saints' Church. One of his lasting contributions is its information board in the churchyard. Described by more than one of his many friends as 'the most brilliant man in Stamford', Richard wore his considerable learning lightly and was a man of great wit and charm. He will be missed.
Richard Barry died in December 2017.
Richard held senior executive positions in the oil industry in the course of which he and Jenny lived in seven different countries. He was a highly effective founding member and subsequently Chairman of the Urban Group of the Stamford Town Partnership and he also served on the Committee of the Society for ten years. He was a key member of the small team that brought the new sundial to All Saints' Church. One of his lasting contributions is its information board in the churchyard. Described by more than one of his many friends as 'the most brilliant man in Stamford', Richard wore his considerable learning lightly and was a man of great wit and charm. He will be missed.
Richard Barry died in December 2017.
Forthcoming events
Events can be booked with the Treasurer:
Thursday, 8 March (7.30 pm, Browne's Hospital)
Members' meeting round the fire. There is, of course, no charge for this event. Please note the change of date; we had inadvertently scheduled the meeting for the week of the Mid-Lent Fair and realised that this would not have been conducive to a peaceful meeting!
Thursday, 12 April (7.30 pm, Browne's Hospital, £3.50)
A talk by local architect Simon Harris: "An Architect's Thoughts on Building in Stamford in the 21st Century".
Saturday, 23 June
Annual summer party for members at St. Leonard's Priory; full details to follow. No charge.
Autumn 2018
We are also planning a talk by the Chairman on Dr Fennell's role in making Stamford the first Conservation Area.
- treasurer@stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk
- 01780 754567
- 28 Christ Church Close, Stamford, PE9 1HS
Thursday, 8 March (7.30 pm, Browne's Hospital)
Members' meeting round the fire. There is, of course, no charge for this event. Please note the change of date; we had inadvertently scheduled the meeting for the week of the Mid-Lent Fair and realised that this would not have been conducive to a peaceful meeting!
Thursday, 12 April (7.30 pm, Browne's Hospital, £3.50)
A talk by local architect Simon Harris: "An Architect's Thoughts on Building in Stamford in the 21st Century".
Saturday, 23 June
Annual summer party for members at St. Leonard's Priory; full details to follow. No charge.
Autumn 2018
We are also planning a talk by the Chairman on Dr Fennell's role in making Stamford the first Conservation Area.
Society news
STAMFORD IN BLOOM
Stamford is preparing to enter the heritage towns category of East Midlands in Bloom in 2018. We are pleased to support member Ann Ellis's efforts to get the whole community behind making the town look its best. If you would like to get involved you can contact Ann at stamford18bloom@gmail.com.
RED LION SQUARE
Many people will have noticed the deterioration of the road surface in Red Lion Square. The Civic Society was recently made aware of proposals by Lincolnshire County Council Highways to remove the existing Yorkstone setts used as part of an award winning project and resurface the road with black tarmac ("bitmac").
We are strongly opposed to this proposal, which would permanently change the attractive heritage appearance of the road and its blend with the surrounding pedestrian areas. The current road construction also acts as a natural safety measure by slowing vehicles down due to tyre noise on the rumbled surface and the general appearance of a pedestrian thoroughfare.
The Urban Group has been tasked with investigating the original design and construction, the reason for deterioration and the options for repair or renewal. The aim is to present a solid, factual case for retaining the appearance and safety features of the current construction by re-laying and repairing the setts or replacing them with a similar sett/block surface.
After extensive work, a report has been produced for circulation to Town Councillors. We hope that they will share our views and persuade Lincolnshire County Council that black bitmac is not an option.
CURATOR FOR BROWNE'S HOSPITAL
Browne's Hospital is seeking a volunteer Curator for its "museum". This could be a lovely part time summer job for someone who has retired.
To express interest, please contact Pam Sharp at pamela.pamartins@btinternet.com or telephone 01780 763153.
URBAN GROUP
The Urban Group, which under the leadership of Don Lambert achieved so much for Stamford in recent years, has recently been restructured. There are now seven members in the Group under the chairmanship of David Taylor. They are already working on initiatives to improve the look of our town including, with a good level of success, graffiti removal, street cleaning, parking on verges and paths and lobbying for the future of Red Lion Square. There is also an exciting new project in train to be revealed later in 2018....
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS
David Taylor and Andy Moore, both of the Urban Group, have been co-opted to the Committee.
Stamford is preparing to enter the heritage towns category of East Midlands in Bloom in 2018. We are pleased to support member Ann Ellis's efforts to get the whole community behind making the town look its best. If you would like to get involved you can contact Ann at stamford18bloom@gmail.com.
RED LION SQUARE
Many people will have noticed the deterioration of the road surface in Red Lion Square. The Civic Society was recently made aware of proposals by Lincolnshire County Council Highways to remove the existing Yorkstone setts used as part of an award winning project and resurface the road with black tarmac ("bitmac").
We are strongly opposed to this proposal, which would permanently change the attractive heritage appearance of the road and its blend with the surrounding pedestrian areas. The current road construction also acts as a natural safety measure by slowing vehicles down due to tyre noise on the rumbled surface and the general appearance of a pedestrian thoroughfare.
The Urban Group has been tasked with investigating the original design and construction, the reason for deterioration and the options for repair or renewal. The aim is to present a solid, factual case for retaining the appearance and safety features of the current construction by re-laying and repairing the setts or replacing them with a similar sett/block surface.
After extensive work, a report has been produced for circulation to Town Councillors. We hope that they will share our views and persuade Lincolnshire County Council that black bitmac is not an option.
CURATOR FOR BROWNE'S HOSPITAL
Browne's Hospital is seeking a volunteer Curator for its "museum". This could be a lovely part time summer job for someone who has retired.
To express interest, please contact Pam Sharp at pamela.pamartins@btinternet.com or telephone 01780 763153.
URBAN GROUP
The Urban Group, which under the leadership of Don Lambert achieved so much for Stamford in recent years, has recently been restructured. There are now seven members in the Group under the chairmanship of David Taylor. They are already working on initiatives to improve the look of our town including, with a good level of success, graffiti removal, street cleaning, parking on verges and paths and lobbying for the future of Red Lion Square. There is also an exciting new project in train to be revealed later in 2018....
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS
David Taylor and Andy Moore, both of the Urban Group, have been co-opted to the Committee.
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