In this issue: an extended update from our Chairman; and updates on our projects and the Society's input to the consideration of planning applications.
From the Chairman
It’s that time again! – your Summer Quarterly Newsletter. Firstly and most importantly, I very much hope that you are well and have avoided any Corona virus ‘interference’ in your general health and well-being during the lockdown. I know for some the experience has felt more like locked up than locked down.
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.
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
In spite of the restrictions on activities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Urban Group have been doggedly pursuing the project of flood lighting Stamford’s imposing medieval Churches. Lighting has already been put in place for St. Michael’s Church a few months ago and we are now pleased to report that funding to support the minor building modifications and electrical works for St. Mary’s Church has recently been secured with a substantial grant from our long time supporters, the Skells Trust.
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’.
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
The district planning authority at SKDC has put in place measures to mitigate the restrictive require ments of the Covid pandemic and this has allowed the continuation of a full planning service meeting statutory or agreed timescales for determination. With these measures in place, our Society Planning Group of experts has reviewed some twelve notifications during the lockdown period. Most of these were judged to be of a minor nature but the application to change the use of the old ‘Stamford Hotel’ from retail to residential with its proposed alterations would, we have observed, involve the loss of the important amenity of a key link from St. Mary’s Street to High Street which would diminish the environment around this pivotal building with its fine central circulation space.
Membership
The Society currently has 234 Members and 16 Corporate Sponsors and your support is much valued. However, we appreciate that you will have had scant value from this year’s subscription and we will address this in some way for the ‘2021 Season’.
Jim Mason
Chairman
Jim Mason
Chairman
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