Welcome to the November edition of our bi-monthly newsletter.
The Society’s AGM was held on 3rd October
After many years of service, Chris Stanier stood down from the committee. The Officers and other committee members were re-elected, with Dr Chatterton also joining the committee.
Our speaker was Nick Boles, our MP and the Minister responsible for planning, who gave an enjoyable talk, followed by questions.
A Reminder…
If you have not already paid your subscription for 2013/14 could you please send it to Melanie, as soon as possible.
Facebook and Twitter
The Society is now live on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us on Twitter at @stamfordcivic; we will tweet reminders about events and information about local issues.
On Facebook, we will post information about planning applications sent by SKDC for our comments. Please post your thoughts about any of these you feel strongly about. Also, do remember your comments will be public!
For now you can find the Society on Facebook by searching but when we have 50 “likes” we will have our own Facebook address, so please if you use Facebook, “like” us now.
QR codes
The pilot scheme covering about 50 sites in the Conservation Area is almost ready to go live, but more helpers are still needed.
The project has its own website, www.stamfordheritage.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.
The Stamford Mercury Archive Trust is looking for a new Treasurer.
The Trust is a voluntary organisation that looks after a precious archive of the Stamford Mercury, containing many thousands of newspapers, the earliest dating back to 1714.
Martin Grimes is retiring as honorary Treasurer, having been involved from the formation of the Trust and the acquisition of the Archive.
The first five years of the Trust were hectic for the treasurer, dealing with a Heritage Lottery funded conservation programme, but there are now very few financial transactions. Trustees meet about 3 times a year, and most of the Trust's work is carried out by volunteers: caring for and conserving the newspapers, compiling a full database inventory, supervising researchers and helping directly with enquiries from the public.
If you are interested in helping the Trust please contact martindgrimes@yahoo.com for more details, or speak personally to Martin Grimes.
Since the last newsletter…
About 25 members visited Milton House, which dates from 1594. The last alterations to the house were made in the late eighteenth century and externally it presents an attractive combination of Tudor architecture on the north front and early Georgian on the south. The weather made a walk in the gardens a perfect end to the visit.
This year, the annual Heritage Open Days took place on 14 and 15 September, with the Civic Society coordinating a programme of events around the theme of ‘Material Matters’
Events programme
Tickets are available from the Secretary.
Unless otherwise stated, all talks will be at Browne’s Hospital, with tickets costing £3.50.
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.
Wednesday 15th January 7.30pm: Dr Jocelyn Chatterton will talk on “Life in Qing Dynasty China – Emperors, Concubines and Eunuchs”.
Thursday 13th February 7.30pm: We welcome back Gil Darby; this time she will be talking on “Josiah Wedgwood - “Vase Maker General to the Universe”.
Thursday 20th March 7.30pm: Dave Gamston will talk on “Historic Pub Interiors: a Conservation Issue”.
We also anticipate arranging another informal members’ meeting round the fire at Browne’s sometime in March.
Thursday 10th April 7.30pm: Rachel Morley of Hirst Conservation will be talking on “The Stones of Stamford”.
April – date to be confirmed: Visit to Kings Lynn – organised by the Kings Lynn Civic Society.
May/June – date to be confirmed: Visit to Oakham castle – organized by the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle.
Non-Society event that may be of interest:
Cutting energy/carbon at Chatsworth House on Tuesday 05 November 2013, 19:00 - 20:30
A Guest speaker from local energy and power consultants/engineering constructors, who have designed and installed low carbon heat and power installations around the country, including at the famed Chatsworth House.
Location: Stamford Arts Centre, The Blue Room.
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.
And finally…
Our next newsletter will be in January, so may I wish you all a very early Happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to seeing you at our events during the rest of 2013 and 2014.
Gwyneth Gibbs
Chairman
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