Farewell from Gwyneth
However, you are not getting rid of me completely just yet. I will be at the AGM and also I will be giving a talk in November at Browne's Hospital. I hope to see you at either or both of these.
I am delighted that Jim Mason will be standing for election as Chairman at the AGM on 11 October. As a boy, he spent summer holidays in Stamford. His wife Trish was born in Stamford Hospital and they were married in All Saints’ Church.
Jim is a retired Chartered Engineer, having held senior roles in the automotive industry in the UK, Spain and South Korea.
He has lived in Easton-on-the-Hill for 15 years. He says that he enjoys continuing to ‘play at engineering’ with both his Vintage 1927 AC car and an interest in a small renewable energy company in Newhaven. He is currently President of Stamford Probus Club. I know that we shall be in safe hands and I am sure that Jim will put his own stamp on the role. |
Subscriptions are now due
If you have not yet signed a standing order or a Gift Aid form, please consider doing so to reduce administration and enable us to get a significant percentage back from the taxman. Forms are available from the Secretary and on the website.
Annual General Meeting
If you might be interested in joining the Committee, please get in touch with our Secretary, Dr David Langridge (contact details below). Alternatively, a nomination form is enclosed. Nomination forms must be returned to the Secretary by Thursday, 4 October.
Forthcoming events
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
We shall again be opening St Leonard’s Priory on Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 September from 12 noon to 4pm on each day; entrance is free.
There will be a small display looking at what happened to the Priory after the Dissolution of the Monasteries and how it was saved from complete destruction.
This year, St Mary’s Schola will hold a service of Compline at 4pm in the Priory, lasting between 15 and 20 minutes. There is no seating in the Priory, so please bring your own chair if you need one.
There are many other Heritage Open Day events across Lincolnshire. For further information, visit http://bit.ly/18HODLinc
Tuesday, 25 September, 7.00pm for 7.30pm, Masonic Centre (no charge, no need to book) — A joint meeting with the St Peter’s Community Group, when a recent short film on the life and work of Rutland Terrace resident Anne-Marie Evans will be shown. She is a noted botanical artist. The Masonic Centre is reached via the archway next to 14 All Saints’ Street, or through the door at the back of the Scotgate car park.
Thursday, 22 November, 7.30pm, Browne’s Hospital (£3.50) — “Did Dr Fennell Save Stamford?” I will be talking about Dr Kenneth Fennell and how Stamford became the first Conservation Area.
Society news
Gil Langley has discovered some interesting pictures of Stamford, including a triumphal arch in St Paul’s Street in September 1875, to welcome the newly-married Lord Burghley. Others show views of Stamford landmarks and travels through the rest of the country and Europe.
We have been able to to present some of these images on the Society’s website. We are most grateful to Gil, and to Dave Baxter for digitising the album.
CIVIC VOICE CAMPAIGN TO FIND ENGLAND’S FAVOURITE CONSERVATION AREA
The Society is nominating our conservation area for this new Civic Voice award.
A shortlist will be announced on 28 September, the anniversary of Stamford’s designation as the first conservation area. The winner will be named in October.
There are now over 10,000 conservation areas. The campaign aims to revalue our heritage and recognise the benefits that conservation areas bring to making our towns unique and special. It seeks to raise awareness of their importance and to encourage communities to celebrate their rich and varied heritage.
Stamford Civic Society is a member of Civic Voice, the umbrella organisation for 275 civic groups with 75,000 members.
STAMFORD IN BLOOM
Stamford in Bloom will be holding an awards evening on 18 September. We hope to have news of the results at our AGM.
Urban Group
The proposed project to improve the green space in Water Street on the river bank has been cancelled, in the light of feedback from residents.
RED LION SQUARE
Gaps between the setts in the roadway have been filled, apparently with an epoxy mortar material. We hope that this is a temporary measure. Further news is awaited.