Stamford Civic Society Newsletter Summer 2025
We have had a busy few months focussed upon raising the profile of the Civic Society. To this end we celebrated National Civic Day, which was on 14th June. We held a vote for the favourite street in Stamford. Many of you may have seen us in the High Street where we based ourselves outside the library. This caused much interest, and a large variety of streets were nominated. We were surprised however, that of those people that we spoke to, how many of them were visitors to the town. This high proportion of visitors gave a distorted result as they all voted for the High Street as it was the only street name that they knew.
We have had a busy few months focussed upon raising the profile of the Civic Society. To this end we celebrated National Civic Day, which was on 14th June. We held a vote for the favourite street in Stamford. Many of you may have seen us in the High Street where we based ourselves outside the library. This caused much interest, and a large variety of streets were nominated. We were surprised however, that of those people that we spoke to, how many of them were visitors to the town. This high proportion of visitors gave a distorted result as they all voted for the High Street as it was the only street name that they knew.
We were able to talk to many Stamford residents who gave us a huge variety of “Favourite Streets”. Children were pleased to receive our popular Children’s Trail leaflets, which has illustrations of the key interesting areas to see in the town and a fun map too. The Deputy Mayor Cllr Jane Kingman also came to support us and spoke to may residents whilst helping to gather in votes.
In total we gathered over 300 votes, the top streets were:
1 High Street
2 St Mary’s Street / Hill
3 Barnhill
4 Water Street
5 High Street St Martins
6 St Peter’s Street/Hill
7 Ironmonger St. Sheepmarket. Broad St. Austin St.
8 Red Lion Sq. St Paul’s St. Bath Row Maiden Ln. St George’s Sq./St.
9 Rutland Terrace. St Paul’s St. St Leonard’s St. King’s Mill Lane
10 Cheyne Lane. Adelaide St.
These results show that not only the retail streets are popular, Water Street and its walk along the river is obviously well liked, as well as streets with our iconic architectural gems.
This is heartening to see, as the Civic Society works hard to preserve our entire Town and it unique features of architecture and landscape for everyone’s benefit.
Our special thanks are extended to Stamford Library for their support both during our Saturday morning outside their premises but also in the week leading up to this event.
We have an information board that is in St John’s Church. As you know this church is now cared for by the Church Conservation Trust, and it is open daily all the year round. With its unique ceiling carvings and central position, it is a port of call for many visitors to the town. We keep this board updated on a regular basis with the information leaflets being replenished regularly it shows that this is a good communication tool. St John’s Church hold concerts which are popular, and this gives another more local audiences a chance to see our work.
Our membership information leaflet has been updated and reprinted and is now available in the Library, St John’s Church and the information centre at the Corn exchange. We hope that you will also support us by bringing along friends to join us.
In total we gathered over 300 votes, the top streets were:
1 High Street
2 St Mary’s Street / Hill
3 Barnhill
4 Water Street
5 High Street St Martins
6 St Peter’s Street/Hill
7 Ironmonger St. Sheepmarket. Broad St. Austin St.
8 Red Lion Sq. St Paul’s St. Bath Row Maiden Ln. St George’s Sq./St.
9 Rutland Terrace. St Paul’s St. St Leonard’s St. King’s Mill Lane
10 Cheyne Lane. Adelaide St.
These results show that not only the retail streets are popular, Water Street and its walk along the river is obviously well liked, as well as streets with our iconic architectural gems.
This is heartening to see, as the Civic Society works hard to preserve our entire Town and it unique features of architecture and landscape for everyone’s benefit.
Our special thanks are extended to Stamford Library for their support both during our Saturday morning outside their premises but also in the week leading up to this event.
We have an information board that is in St John’s Church. As you know this church is now cared for by the Church Conservation Trust, and it is open daily all the year round. With its unique ceiling carvings and central position, it is a port of call for many visitors to the town. We keep this board updated on a regular basis with the information leaflets being replenished regularly it shows that this is a good communication tool. St John’s Church hold concerts which are popular, and this gives another more local audiences a chance to see our work.
Our membership information leaflet has been updated and reprinted and is now available in the Library, St John’s Church and the information centre at the Corn exchange. We hope that you will also support us by bringing along friends to join us.
Our membership information leaflet has been updated and reprinted and is now available in the Library, St John’s Church and the information centre at the Corn exchange. We hope that you will also support us by bringing along friends to join us.
The Information Board Situated in St John’s Church
We are working more closely with Stamford Town Council, as well as other community organisations in the town and beyond; this is to increase awareness of our Society and it’s work. I recently gave a talk to the local Probus group. I have been asked to speak to Burghley Rotary Club in the future. We have been invited to participate in the St George’s Church 800-year Celebrations. We have been asked to participate in the inauguration ceremony at the Town Hall for the newly elected Mayor of Stamford. These activities will I trust help to raise our profile in the Town.
In an endeavour to get the Bath Row metal railings repainted, we contacted SKDC and much to our delight they have been repainted this month. They certainly improve the walk along beside the mill stream.
In an endeavour to get the Bath Row metal railings repainted, we contacted SKDC and much to our delight they have been repainted this month. They certainly improve the walk along beside the mill stream.
Planning
Our planning Sub Committee continues to work diligently and effectively in responding to planning application consultation within the Town area. We have recently welcomed a new member to this committee: Ross Thain Chairman of RTK Stamford. Our other members are - Jon Richards Architectural Design and our subcommittee chairman, Richard Asher.
This small committee advises us as well as responding to planning consultation on our behalf. We are fortunate to have the support from such highly qualified professionals.
Exeter Fields Application. This was in the Local Plan as an area for light industrial use; but this recent application was passed by SKDC for housing. We did not support this.
Riverside Application. This was passed by SKDC for restaurant use. It will be interesting to see how this business develops, the plans indicate 86 covers inside and 36 covers outside. Music is not to be permitted outside which is a positive condition.
Stamford Hospital Site. Planning permission has been submitted to develop the old building into residential units as well as the building of some new homes on the western area of the site. Precise details are yet to be seen but you may like to look this up on the SKDC planning website.
Stamford Town Bridge
As you will have seen in the Press, Lincolnshire County Council have ascertained that our Town Bridge is in need of repair before the winter weather. Whilst we appreciate that this work is necessary, we asked LCC for more precise details about this work, as this is a Grade II listed structure. We were concerned about the lifting and relaying of the unique paving slabs and kerb stones. Subsequent to our enquiry, we have been assured that mapping, photographing, numbering and individual lifting of each paving slab will be undertaken. The pacing slabs will be loaded onto pallets and taken to a secure storage area and subsequently re-laid in their individual positions.
Our planning Sub Committee continues to work diligently and effectively in responding to planning application consultation within the Town area. We have recently welcomed a new member to this committee: Ross Thain Chairman of RTK Stamford. Our other members are - Jon Richards Architectural Design and our subcommittee chairman, Richard Asher.
This small committee advises us as well as responding to planning consultation on our behalf. We are fortunate to have the support from such highly qualified professionals.
Exeter Fields Application. This was in the Local Plan as an area for light industrial use; but this recent application was passed by SKDC for housing. We did not support this.
Riverside Application. This was passed by SKDC for restaurant use. It will be interesting to see how this business develops, the plans indicate 86 covers inside and 36 covers outside. Music is not to be permitted outside which is a positive condition.
Stamford Hospital Site. Planning permission has been submitted to develop the old building into residential units as well as the building of some new homes on the western area of the site. Precise details are yet to be seen but you may like to look this up on the SKDC planning website.
Stamford Town Bridge
As you will have seen in the Press, Lincolnshire County Council have ascertained that our Town Bridge is in need of repair before the winter weather. Whilst we appreciate that this work is necessary, we asked LCC for more precise details about this work, as this is a Grade II listed structure. We were concerned about the lifting and relaying of the unique paving slabs and kerb stones. Subsequent to our enquiry, we have been assured that mapping, photographing, numbering and individual lifting of each paving slab will be undertaken. The pacing slabs will be loaded onto pallets and taken to a secure storage area and subsequently re-laid in their individual positions.
Events
We are planning for our Annual General Meeting and will let you know more details once they have been finalised. The date to put in your diary is: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Summer Members Evening - July 4th
This was held at The Arts Centre. Chriss Hunt a well-known local historian kept us all enthralled with his photographs, tales and facts about buildings that are no longer here in Stamford. Either because of demolition or re-location. Its both surprising and a shame that so many ancient buildings are no longer here, only to be replaced by “1960’s style” buildings that do not compliment our multitude of listed buildings.
We welcomed some members friends as well as some Stamford residents who have opted to join our Society. Also, we were pleased to see some members of Stamford Local History Society. It was a friendly and sociable evening enjoyed by all who joined us.
Best wishes for the summer.
Ursula Jones – Chairman
We are planning for our Annual General Meeting and will let you know more details once they have been finalised. The date to put in your diary is: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Summer Members Evening - July 4th
This was held at The Arts Centre. Chriss Hunt a well-known local historian kept us all enthralled with his photographs, tales and facts about buildings that are no longer here in Stamford. Either because of demolition or re-location. Its both surprising and a shame that so many ancient buildings are no longer here, only to be replaced by “1960’s style” buildings that do not compliment our multitude of listed buildings.
We welcomed some members friends as well as some Stamford residents who have opted to join our Society. Also, we were pleased to see some members of Stamford Local History Society. It was a friendly and sociable evening enjoyed by all who joined us.
Best wishes for the summer.
Ursula Jones – Chairman
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