Stamford Urban Group
The Urban Group was restructured in 2017, with seven members in the Group under the chairmanship of David Taylor. They are already working on initiatives to improve the look of the town including graffiti removal, street cleaning, parking on verges and paths and lobbying for the future of Red Lion Square. There is also an exciting new project in train to be revealed later in 2018.
This is a brief resume of the work carried out by the Urban Group in recent years, originally under the auspices of the former Stamford Town Partnership and now as part of the Civic Society, together with current and proposed projects.
Current projects
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. We hope this will become a place of rest and relaxation for visitors and residents alike.
The lighting on the Albert Bridge has been cleaned and improved, with support from the Skells Trust.
Proposals for possible future projects
Plans are to be put forward to improve the old stone town wall near Bath Row, possibly including solar powered lighting supplied free by a local firm. The glass recycling bin would be removed and the benches and bollards repainted.
Red phone box adoption
The redundant, but iconic telephone box near the George Hotel was adopted, refurbished, and repurposed as an information facility for the town and its visitors.
High Street planter
The brick planter near St Michael’s Church was replaced and planted with a specimen Tibetan Cherry tree. The Urban Group worked with Stamford Town Council on this project.
East End of the High Street project
After consultation with local shop keepers by Urban Group members and Cllr Paul Rose, 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. All the installation work was done by SKDC personnel. Ongoing care and watering are being taken care of by the Urban Group and Wilkinsons staff. The disabled parking area was improved and painted to comply with regulations.
River banks and the Mill Stream
Dave Sones, secretary of the Urban group and a member of River Care, organised huge improvements to the banks of the Welland and the Mill Stream. Most the work was carried out by volunteers from Cummings, Anglian Water, Stamford College and others. Local shops and firms provided free materials to help in the clean up. This will be a continuing project.
Both steel bridges over the Meadows were repainted, wooden planking on either side of the George Bridge was repainted, the steel plaque was refurbished and painted, wooden seating along Vence Walk was sanded and revarnished and an old bin was removed.
Other completed projects
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 tided 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 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 board and a local carpenter, without charge.
Two new steel benches were purchased for the Recreation Ground and the Empingham Road playground, and erected on concrete bases provided by the Town Council.
The Red Lion Square stone benches were covered in wooden slatted seats made and fitted by Stamford College students. This was organised and paid for by the Urban Group.
The garden area near Bus Station was been extensively revamped and cleaned.
A tree was planted on part of the paved area at Sheep Market, which is now looked after by the Urban Group and the Golden Fleece public house.
This is a brief resume of the work carried out by the Urban Group in recent years, originally under the auspices of the former Stamford Town Partnership and now as part of the Civic Society, together with current and proposed projects.
Current projects
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. We hope this will become a place of rest and relaxation for visitors and residents alike.
The lighting on the Albert Bridge has been cleaned and improved, with support from the Skells Trust.
Proposals for possible future projects
Plans are to be put forward to improve the old stone town wall near Bath Row, possibly including solar powered lighting supplied free by a local firm. The glass recycling bin would be removed and the benches and bollards repainted.
Red phone box adoption
The redundant, but iconic telephone box near the George Hotel was adopted, refurbished, and repurposed as an information facility for the town and its visitors.
High Street planter
The brick planter near St Michael’s Church was replaced and planted with a specimen Tibetan Cherry tree. The Urban Group worked with Stamford Town Council on this project.
East End of the High Street project
After consultation with local shop keepers by Urban Group members and Cllr Paul Rose, 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. All the installation work was done by SKDC personnel. Ongoing care and watering are being taken care of by the Urban Group and Wilkinsons staff. The disabled parking area was improved and painted to comply with regulations.
River banks and the Mill Stream
Dave Sones, secretary of the Urban group and a member of River Care, organised huge improvements to the banks of the Welland and the Mill Stream. Most the work was carried out by volunteers from Cummings, Anglian Water, Stamford College and others. Local shops and firms provided free materials to help in the clean up. This will be a continuing project.
Both steel bridges over the Meadows were repainted, wooden planking on either side of the George Bridge was repainted, the steel plaque was refurbished and painted, wooden seating along Vence Walk was sanded and revarnished and an old bin was removed.
Other completed projects
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 tided 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 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 board and a local carpenter, without charge.
Two new steel benches were purchased for the Recreation Ground and the Empingham Road playground, and erected on concrete bases provided by the Town Council.
The Red Lion Square stone benches were covered in wooden slatted seats made and fitted by Stamford College students. This was organised and paid for by the Urban Group.
The garden area near Bus Station was been extensively revamped and cleaned.
A tree was planted on part of the paved area at Sheep Market, which is now looked after by the Urban Group and the Golden Fleece public house.
