The bells rang out for Lord Burghley‘s birthday, but Stamford folk were not happy. His father, the (3rd) Marquis of Exeter was not a popular man in 1845 due to his opposition to the railway coming to the town.
“Nine-tenths of the inhabitants of Stamford were greatly annoyed at an early hour on Wednesday morning by the ringing of bells at several of the churches of the town. It was stated to be on account of its being the birthday of Lord Burghley (eldest son of the Marquis of Exeter), who on that day completed his 20th year. The ringing was continued throughout the day; and, connected with the exceeding unpopularity of the Marquis’ unscrupulous opposition to the railway which is to bring coals to the town at one-third of the price heretofore paid for them, and to confer other essential advantages on the inhabitants, made the annoyance intolerable at this juncture. Many, disturbed from their business by the din of the bells, assembled in the streets, and expressed their dissatisfaction in indignant terms, declaring that, with the experience they had, they could not find it in their hearts to rejoice, ‘for all Lord Exeter’s honesty, or all Lord Burghley’s beauty.'”
The Stamford Mercury, 7th February, 1845.