The 2014 AGM took place in the Town Hall on October 9th, in the presence of 65 members. The AGM was followed by the presentation of the Society's 2014 Awards. Full details of the Awards are on the Society's website or from the Secretary, for those without Internet access.
As promised at the meeting, we are publishing the names of the 2014-15 officers and committee. They are as follows:
Chairman: Gwyneth Gibbs
Secretary: Melanie Sockett
Treasurer: Martin Grimes
Committee: Richard Barry, Jocelyn Chatterton, Carol Meads, Graddon Rowlands, Mike J Sockett, Peter M Stean, Peter Stevens, Michael Thompson, Gil Williams.
Individual officers and committee members can be contacted by using the email address at the end of this newsletter,, and marking the email “For the attention of ...”.
Subscriptions
A reminder for those who have not yet paid that annual subscriptions are due for payment now. The cost remains at £10 for single members, and £15 for two people living at the same address. Please send cheques to Martin at 20 Phillips Court, Stamford, PE9 2EE (Note that members who joined after 1st April 2014 are covered until October 2015).
If you have not signed a gift aid form, please consider doing this so we can get a further contribution back from the tax man. Forms are available from Martin or the Secretary.
Since the last meeting:
Thursday 23rd October: “Bless and Tell” - Canon Donald Gray talked to a close to capacity audience about his time at Westminster, along with a review of the underlying history. This was preceded by the presentation of the two Awards that could not be presented at the AGM.
Events programme
Tickets are available from the Secretary. Unless otherwise stated, all talks will be at Browne’s Hospital, starting at 7.30pm, with tickets costing £3.50.
Thursday November 27th: David Pennell, the Estate Director for the Burghley Estate will be talking about the day to day issues and intricacies of looking after the Estate's listed properties in Stamford. This is going to be an insight into the workings of Stamford's major Landlord. Note this talk is nearly fully subscribed; if you do not have a ticket and would like to come, please contact the Secretary; we may not have room for walk-ins on the night.
Thursday February 19th: recent Civic Society Award winner, David Ellis will talk on “My Life as a Collyweston Slater” from apprentice to master slater.
Wednesday March 11th: Annual meeting round the fire at Browne's Hospital. This is the members' meeting where we invite you to come for an informal chat and exchange of ideas. There is no charge for this meeting, but we would appreciate knowing if you are coming or not.
Details of the rest of the 2015 programme will follow.
Annual Review
Although we call this a bi-monthly newsletter, there won't be one in January, for the very good reason that the Society will be producing an Annual Review of news and articles – things which are too long for the Newsletter, This will take the form of an A4 booklet which will enable us to explore in more depth the work of the Society and the challenges of balancing 21st century development with the conservation of the heritage environment. This will come in printed form to all members, whether signed up for email or not.
Stone Trail
We have produced a new copy of the previously out of print Stone Trail, as part of the Sundial project, courtesy of the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is now available from the Library and the Tourist Information Centre, at the price of £1. Proceeds will go to the Stamford Library and Heritage Centre.
Hirst Conservation Talk
Many of you enjoyed the talk given by Elizabeth Hirst but written by Rachel Morley earlier in the year. Rachel has been working on expanding this into a paper on the Stones of Stamford. We hope to have news of a publication date soon.