Civic Society Projects
This is a brief resume of the work carried out by the Society and its partners in recent years.
Recent projects:
New Arch in Sheepmarket
The work undertaken by Committee member Tim Lee, and supported by the rest of the committee resulted in the newly installed Welcome To Stamford Arch in Sheepmarket and Horseshoe Lane. This project took over a year to finalise and we hope that you appreciate its completed result. Designed by Level 3 Diploma students in the department of Art and Design at Stamford College, fabricated and installed by JEM Engineering and Fabrication Ltd of Peterborough and funded by our Corporate sponsors, we think the finished result helps welcome visitors to the town in an increasingly vibrant Sheepmarket.
Church floodlights
Floodlights have been installed at the churches of St. Mary’s, St. Martin’s and St. Michael’s, with plans to shortly provide the same at St. John’s.
Other lighting
The lighting on the Albert Bridge has been cleaned and improved, with support from the Skells Trust.
Pavement uplighting in Horseshoe Lane and Sheepmarket has been re-instated by SKDC after constant pressure over several years from the Civic Society.
Enhancement
St Michael's churchyard, in the High Street opposite the Library, has been renovated. The paving has been either relaid or replaced, a new pathway created, new turf put down and new benches installed. Our thanks to the Harry Skells Trust, who provided much of the funding for this project, and to the local businesses who sponsored the new benches.
At the east end of the High Street, we developed an improvement plan for the area. £20,000 was raised for the project from the Stamford Town Partnership, South Kesteven District Council (SKDC), the Skells Trust and Marks and Spencer. Two high quality two-sided benches and a olive tree in a wooden Planter were erected to one side of the area. The old bench and light were removed and a new light installed.
We worked with the Pizza restaurant owner to revive the dreary Sheepmarket southern area through planters of flowers and greenery. Adding a circular bench to the tree and removing an obstructing stone bench.
The Wharf Road Garden near Riverside was given a makeover; a road sign was moved closer to the wall to improve the view of the Town Bridge. The grassed area was improved and protected from parking by wooden stakes. Assistance was provided by the electricity supplier and a local carpenter, without charge.
Two new steel benches were purchased for the Recreation Ground and the Empingham Road playground. These were erected on concrete bases provided by the Town Council.
We are working with the Millstream Group to improve flow along the river, renew the banks and enhance plant growth. The project is also supported by Anglian Water and the Environment Agency.
The redundant, but iconic red telephone box near the George Hotel was adopted, refurbished, and repurposed as an information facility for the town and its visitors.
Beautification
Three trees were planted in Queens Walk, which the local community is now looking after. St Mary’s Church Yard was planted with flowers.
An extensive revamp and planting around the bandstand area of the Recreation Ground. More trees planted near the new children’s park.
Entrance roads to Stamford were planted with flowers. Small gardens in various areas around the town were tidied up and planted, including North Street opposite the Police station. This work was completed with help from local organisations such as Rotary and the Horticultural Society.
Banks of the river through the meadows were planted on request of the Town Council.
The garden area near Bus Station has been extensively revamped and cleaned.
A tree was planted on part of the paved area at Sheep Market. Subsequently uplighting was installed and finally a new circular wooden bench was sited around the tree.
The brick planter near St Michael’s Church was replaced and planted with a specimen Tibetan Cherry tree. The Civic Society worked with Stamford Town Council on this project.
Heritage
We organised the design and installation of three new Blue Plaques commemorating significant past Stamford people – Harry Burton, Jack Pick and Colin Dexter.
We campaigned successfully to promote the re-laying of Red Lion Square with stone setts rather than tarmac.
We are actively pursuing the restoration of the bronze plaques and information boards around our town.
