From the Chairman
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the negative side of the “life scales” has had a lot of material dumped on its pan over the last weeks but the opposite pan has not been entirely without balancing material – appreciation for the herculean efforts of key workers; “pop-up” com munity groups providing dedicated support to the vulnerFrom the Chairman able; shutdown businesses finding ways to deliver diverse products; gardens that have never looked so well at this time of the year; job lists (on the verge of ‘heritage status’ themselves!) being addressed; enhance ment of our IT skills - particularly in the area of communications; real enjoyment of a peaceful clean air environment and, for some of the more fortunate, a ‘sabbatical’ type of experience with time to read and reflect on the important things in our lives - including, on a broader front, increased social awareness with the spotlighting of some of the known ‘cracks’ in our social structures starkly revealing themselves as deep fissures.
As the country emerges from the pandemic there will be focus on activities that drive the rapid rebuilding of our economy which will include prioritised major intensive developments of infrastructure, housing and the built environment generally. Our Society is a significant community group and, in respect of local developments, our aim will be to continue to ensure that the views of our Members’ contribute, in a positive way, to the conservation, attractiveness and viability of our unique heritage market town and its surrounds.
Of course the Committee is eagerly looking forward to meeting up again with Members at our social events – such a lot of catching up to do! As you know from my previous note (1st. May 2020), we have already ruled out any realistic possibility of a gathering before the end of August 2020 but we are extremely keen on staging an open-air event as our “resumption of activities” occasion. Our ‘dare-to-dream’ scenario is to run our usual annual mid-summer party at St. Leonard’s Priory as a late-summer event on the last weekend in August, Saturday 29th. August - hopefully the infection risk will be minimal by then (optimism is a key attribute for Committee election!) We’ll let you know how things are progressing as risk levels fall and recommendations for social restrictions ease.
Project update
The Group has also managed to maintain a watching brief on a number of projects that have been stalled somewhat by lockdown these include new proposals for enhancing the Sheep Market area of the Town; progress on resolution of paving issues; initiating a care plan for plaques and information boards in the Town and proposals contained within the recently issued ‘Neighbourhood Plan’.
Stamford Conservation Area Planning Applications
Membership
Jim Mason
Chairman