Stamford Civic Society Newsletter Summer 2024
Your committee has been busy this year, and is very pleased to welcome two new members,
Nicola Sandall, and James Tusting. Nicola is a Stamfordian born and breed who is now a Tour Guide taking visitors around Stamford. She also produces shows at the Corn Exchange.
James is Head of Land and Property at Burghley, overseeing the Estate’s property business and its various interests around Stamford.
We are indebted to our Treasurer Martin Lander who, after serving as our Treasurer for a number of years, wishes to stand down from this position. Thus, we are actively looking for a volunteer to replace him. Please consider this opportunity to serve our Society and Stamford, if you are aware of anyone who you think would like to join us in this capacity.
Nicola Sandall, and James Tusting. Nicola is a Stamfordian born and breed who is now a Tour Guide taking visitors around Stamford. She also produces shows at the Corn Exchange.
James is Head of Land and Property at Burghley, overseeing the Estate’s property business and its various interests around Stamford.
We are indebted to our Treasurer Martin Lander who, after serving as our Treasurer for a number of years, wishes to stand down from this position. Thus, we are actively looking for a volunteer to replace him. Please consider this opportunity to serve our Society and Stamford, if you are aware of anyone who you think would like to join us in this capacity.
As a committee we consider and discuss any topics that we feel is of concern to Stamford residents within the constitutional remit of the Society. If we feel that our voice or action can be positive, then we will endeavour to take appropriate action.
We keep abreast of regional and National topics and issues. We are a member of the Civic Society national organisation, Civic Voice. This enables us to hear about other Civic Societies and their endeavours for their communities. It can act as a lobby group as well as a source of information and advice.
We are indebted to our Planning Sub Committee who use their professional experience and expertise to comment upon planning applications that have been submitted to South Kesteven District Council planning department. This is vital aspect or the Society’s work as it helps to preserve the conservation area of Stamford from destructive upgrading of buildings, and land development for housing or industry.
As a Society we respond to regional and local consultations. This is an aspect of work that is absolutely vital, as these consultations usually have long lasting implications for Stamford and the surrounding area, its facilities and infrastructure.
The Society also supports and engages in projects that will enhance the conservation of or visual appearance of the town. Both from the resident’s perspective as well as those of tourists and visitors to our town.
We keep abreast of regional and National topics and issues. We are a member of the Civic Society national organisation, Civic Voice. This enables us to hear about other Civic Societies and their endeavours for their communities. It can act as a lobby group as well as a source of information and advice.
We are indebted to our Planning Sub Committee who use their professional experience and expertise to comment upon planning applications that have been submitted to South Kesteven District Council planning department. This is vital aspect or the Society’s work as it helps to preserve the conservation area of Stamford from destructive upgrading of buildings, and land development for housing or industry.
As a Society we respond to regional and local consultations. This is an aspect of work that is absolutely vital, as these consultations usually have long lasting implications for Stamford and the surrounding area, its facilities and infrastructure.
The Society also supports and engages in projects that will enhance the conservation of or visual appearance of the town. Both from the resident’s perspective as well as those of tourists and visitors to our town.
Events
Our summer event was held at The Stamford Arts Centre on Saturday May 25. We were very pleased to welcome one of our local historians, Philippa Massey, who gave us a fascinating talk about the many ancient courts and yards in the town. Illustrations and maps gave us a real sense of life in Stamford before the 1841 Local Improvement Act.
We had over sixty members and their guests present at this enjoyable evening and judging by the buzz of voices and huddles of people talking after the lecture it was much appreciated. The evening concluded with a drinks reception and a chance to catch up with friends.
We had over sixty members and their guests present at this enjoyable evening and judging by the buzz of voices and huddles of people talking after the lecture it was much appreciated. The evening concluded with a drinks reception and a chance to catch up with friends.
The Annual General Meeting
The date of our AGM is October 10th 2024 It is to be held in The Blue Room at The Stamford Arts Centre. As well as the Annual Business Meeting we have arranged for Joe Whitehead Head Gardener Burghley to come and give us a talk about his work in Burghley Park.
We will be planning our member’s winter social event, we are hoping that this will be held in December, more details will follow in the future once it has been finalised.
Do also remember to look on the Stamford and District Local History Society website for their monthly meetings and lectures. These are most informative and interesting and highly recommended. You will be made very welcome and will probably see some of our members there too.
We will be planning our member’s winter social event, we are hoping that this will be held in December, more details will follow in the future once it has been finalised.
Do also remember to look on the Stamford and District Local History Society website for their monthly meetings and lectures. These are most informative and interesting and highly recommended. You will be made very welcome and will probably see some of our members there too.
Some of you may have been to Stamford Hospital either as a visitor or a patient. In either scenario you may have seen the Civic Society information boards that were produced to celebrate the fifty years of Stamford being protected by its conservation status.
These have been displayed along the corridor within the hospital complex and are there to interest and stimulate all those who see them. Our thanks go one of our members Dave Baxter as well as the hospital management for ensuring that these boards are so well displayed and preserved.
These have been displayed along the corridor within the hospital complex and are there to interest and stimulate all those who see them. Our thanks go one of our members Dave Baxter as well as the hospital management for ensuring that these boards are so well displayed and preserved.
Interest points
Upon listening to our summer talk by Philippa, the whole aspect of slum clearance and street improvement was raised in our minds. These necessary changes to Stamford streets were initiated by the Stamford Improvement Act of 21 June 1841.
“Whereas the Town or Borough of Stamford, and large and populous, and a place of considerable thoroughfare, and of several streets within the same, are not sufficiently cleaned paved repaired watered of lighted, and are very incommodious and unsafe.”
The Act facilitated the election of commissioners. 15 were to be elected from parish rate payers,1 was The Mayor, and 11 were to be from elected Parish Councillors, making 27 in total.
These Commissioners were instrumental in driving through the street improvements and the general upgrading of the Town and its facilities, giving it the structure and characteristics that we know today.
Whilst walking around the town it is possible to detect where some of these road improvements were made, as well as the areas where pavement improvements were not always possible. An indication of how muddy and wet the streets had been still visible today. I am referring to the boot scrapers still to be found around the streets by the side of doorways. In our conservation area we encourage the preservation of these scrapers, they are an integral part of a protected building.
Below are some that are easily seen whilst walking around the town centre’s streets
Some examples of Boot Scrapers found in Stamford
This boot scraper is the most commonly found design. Some buildings have evidence of such a scraper but just the hollowed-out stone area remains today. The replacement of these boot scrapers is to be encouraged as they were an integral element of the building’s design.
I hope that you enjoy the summer either here in Stamford or elsewhere, and that we will see you all at our Annual General Meeting in October
Best Wishes
Ursula Jones,
Chairman Stamford Civic Society
“Whereas the Town or Borough of Stamford, and large and populous, and a place of considerable thoroughfare, and of several streets within the same, are not sufficiently cleaned paved repaired watered of lighted, and are very incommodious and unsafe.”
The Act facilitated the election of commissioners. 15 were to be elected from parish rate payers,1 was The Mayor, and 11 were to be from elected Parish Councillors, making 27 in total.
These Commissioners were instrumental in driving through the street improvements and the general upgrading of the Town and its facilities, giving it the structure and characteristics that we know today.
Whilst walking around the town it is possible to detect where some of these road improvements were made, as well as the areas where pavement improvements were not always possible. An indication of how muddy and wet the streets had been still visible today. I am referring to the boot scrapers still to be found around the streets by the side of doorways. In our conservation area we encourage the preservation of these scrapers, they are an integral part of a protected building.
Below are some that are easily seen whilst walking around the town centre’s streets
Some examples of Boot Scrapers found in Stamford
This boot scraper is the most commonly found design. Some buildings have evidence of such a scraper but just the hollowed-out stone area remains today. The replacement of these boot scrapers is to be encouraged as they were an integral element of the building’s design.
I hope that you enjoy the summer either here in Stamford or elsewhere, and that we will see you all at our Annual General Meeting in October
Best Wishes
Ursula Jones,
Chairman Stamford Civic Society
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