A playground sundial was installed at St. Gilbert’s School in May.
Interpretation boards have been erected in All Saints’ by the conserved sundial and outside, under the new one.
The Bishop of Lincoln led a short ceremony on 25th June at All Saints’, followed by a reception in St. John’s. There is a small exhibition in St. John’s at the moment, including work done by Year 9 from Stamford School.
QR codes – we need your help!
QR or Quick Response Codes are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can be read using smartphones that link directly to websites. They appear regularly on advertisements; for example estate agents use them in newspaper adverts; you see a property that interests you, scan the QR code, and you can read the full details.
In Stamford, we are using them to provide information to residents and visitors alike on many of the buildings in the town. We are currently running a pilot scheme covering about 50 sites in the Conservation Area.
We need more people to help with providing historical and anecdotal information on various sites in Stamford as a matter of urgency.
The project has its own website, www.stamfordrheritage.org.uk that provides more details and in particular, how you can help. If you don’t have Internet access and would still like to help, please contact Dave Sones on 01780 482767 for more information.
Launch of the Stamford Children’s Town Trail
In July the Society working in collaboration with Malcolm Sargent Primary School launches the first Children's Town Trail. Stamford primary school children of all ages have chosen, researched, illustrated and written about their 15 favourite places in Stamford. The Trail is a coloured A3 fold-out leaflet and will be a resource for primary schools to use as part of their local studies.
You will be able to see the places that the children have chosen and download copies of the Trail from the Society’s website.
Since the last newsletter…
Coffee morning at St Leonard’s Priory
Nearly 70 people enjoyed this event, including guests from Priory House. Canon Donald Gray performed a brief dedication service for the recently planted mulberry tree.
Tour of the private apartments of Burghley House
23 members of the Society were given a tour of the private quarters of Burghley House. We were greeted by Mr and Mrs Rock and their youngest daughter and also by the House archivist and historian, John Culverhouse.
For the next two hours Orlando Rock, President of the Society, showed us the sumptuous yet at the same time informal private living rooms of the house and the remarkable treasures contained within them. He and John Culverhouse kept up an informed and fascinating commentary. At the conclusion of the evening wines and snacks were served on the lawns courtesy of our President and Mrs Rock.
As a small gesture of appreciation for their hospitality the Society has made a donation to the Histiocytosis Research Trust in memory of Oliver Scholes, the two year old Stamford boy who tragically died earlier this year.
Events programme
Thursday 11 July – 6pm to 9pm: Open Gardens around St George’s Square and St Mary’s
This event will be open to members only. Refreshments will be available at the Arts Centre from 7.30pm. A proportion of the ticket costs of £5 per person for this event will go to local charities. A few tickets are still available from The Secretary.
Thursday 5 September 2013 – 2pm: Visit to Milton Hall, near Peterborough.
Milton Hall dates from 1594, and is the historical home of the Fitzwilliam family. We have now exceeded the maximum number interested in this visit, so there will be a draw on August 5th. The final day for registering interest with the Secretary will be August 4th.The cost will be £15 per person. Attendance is limited to members only.
Thursday, 3 October 2013 7pm: AGM at the Town Hall.
More information to follow.
Wednesday 6 November – 5.30pm to 7.30pm: Private tour of Peterborough Museum.
This evening visit starts at 5.30pm with a glass of wine, followed by our tour round the recently refurbished museum from 6pm to 7.30pm. The cost is £7 per person. Tickets are now available from the Secretary.
Our 2014 programme is taking shape.
We are planning the following talks and visits in the first part of the year:
Thursday 14th January: Dr Jocelyn Chatterton “Life in Qing Dynasty China – Emperors, Concubines and Eunuchs”
Thursday 13th February: Dr Gil Darby “Josiah Wedgwood - “Vase Maker to the Universe”
Thursday 13th or 20th March: Mr Dave Gamston “Historic Pub Interiors: a Conservation Issue”
April – date to be confirmed: Visit to Kings Lynn – organised by the Kings Lynn Civic Society.
More information on all of these will follow.
Heritage Open Days
This year, the annual Heritage Open Days take place on 12 - 15 September. The Civic Society is co-ordinating a programme of events around the theme of ‘Material Matters’ on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September. Events will include tours of Stamford Churches, exploring their history, architecture and building materials, a display and demonstration of Collyweston slating and tours of the town looking at different stone and its use in the buildings. Details of the programme and booking arrangements will be available on the Heritage Lincolnshire website and in their leaflets.
Contact Details
Our website at
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.
We look forward to seeing you at our events during 2013.
Gwyneth Gibbs
Chairman