Author: secretary

As we now know, Kaiser Wilhelm II (aka William Hohenzollern) never stood trial for his part in the first World War, but there was much speculation about it at the time and comparison with the trials of other great men and women.

‘From an article in “Chambers’s Journal,” entitled “Concerning State Trials,” we extract the following:-

Students of human nature and of history must look forward to the coming trial with intense interest. Do eminent and great men, fallen from their high estate and tried for their lives display this greatness by any special composure or dignity? In very many cases this has been so. King Charles was a gentleman always and never more so than at his trial. The same may be said of Louis XVI. Th trial of the French King and Queen does not deserve the august name of a State trial; but answer of Marie Antoinette to the scoundrels who sentenced her to death was simple, courageous and thoroughly queen-like. With the immeasurable contempt of an aristocratic woman. a haughty daughter of an empress-queen, for the rough, ill-clad rabble into whose hands she had fallen, she did not deign to discuss their rite to judge her or the validity of their verdict. In six, short stinging words she told them what she thought of them. “Vous etes tous de profonds scelerats!” (You are nothing but a lot of scamps.) And with this, without another word, she swept out of their presence.

Mary Stuart, always vehement, quick and passionate, but now aging, grey-haired met her doom calmly, quietly answering and herself interrogating her judges. Was her dignified conduct a proof that she felt herself to be innocent? Hardly that; but women have a wonderful power of deceiving themselves, and as twice a Queen she denied to anyone on earth the right to judge her. Charles Stuart and Louis Capet made the same ineffectual protest. Without doubt William Hohenzollern must honestly be of the same opinion, and, contrary to the general idea, he would have some right on his side. Human wisdom for what it is worth, has for ages past invested royalty with an inviolable sanctity, above all laws. And the Kaiser could go even a step further – he could advance the pleas of his vaunted partnership with the Almighty. which (if admitted) should absolve him of all blame. This claim may have its use where, and as long as, the imperial “ipse dixit”* was accepted as final; but a court of law is the most sceptic of bodies, and, as William will find does not accept unsupported testimony.

The Stamford Mercury, 16th January, 1920.

*he said it himself – i.e. an assertion without proof.

Middlemarch was screened on BBC 2 in 1994 and proved to be very popular with viewers. The designers chose Stamford for their setting, because very few Georgian houses survived the World War 2 bombing of Coventry (Eliot’s intended location). The influx of film crew was exciting for Stamfordians (many of whom were recruited as extras), but equally caused some headaches due to blocked roads.

“BBC sets up in town

Historic Stamford’s TV trip back to the past starts on Monday, when BBC cameras start filming a new star-studded drama serial.

Homes and streets will stand in for George Eliot’s fictional Middlemarch – and Barn Hill’s former clinic has been transformed into a fever hospital.

But the work could trigger traffic hold-ups, with roads set to be sealed in the town centre this month and next.

As many as 70 actors, crew and support staff could be involved at any one time in filming the six-part series, whose producers plumped for Stamford because of its similarity with 1830s Coventry.

Among the stars are Sir Michael Hordern and Patrick Malahide, most recently seen in the Inspector Alleyn Mysteries.

Locations include Barn Hill, the first venue for filming, plus All Saints’ Place, King’s Mill Lane, St Mary’s Street and St George’s Square.”

Stamford Mercury, 2nd July, 1993.

Today, we have Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, in Boston in 1927 it was a very different story. . .

“WOMEN NOT WANTED

FOR POLICE DUTIES IN HOLLAND DIVISION.

A meeting of the Holland Standing Joint Committee was held at Boston on Wednesday, Mr. Fitzalan Howard presiding.

Twice as much Insobriety.

The Chief Constable (Capt. C. Mitchell-Innes) reported that the indictable crimes during the past quarter numbered 51, for which 31 persons were charged; for the corresponding period of last year 61 offences were reported and 34 persons charged. The number of persons dealt with for non-indictable offences during the quarter was 494, as compared with 520 in the corresponding period of last year. There had been an increase in cases of drunkenness from 43 to 88.

The Chairman regretted the increase in cases of drunkenness, but it was pointed out that they arose in the south of the division.

A grant of £457 4s. 6d., Holland’s proportion of £300, was made towards strengthening the Joint Police Superannuation Fund.

Sub-committees were appointed to deal with the provision of police cottages at Spalding, Long Sutton, Fleet, and Benington.

It was reported that £1039 was payable for police services during the coal strike by other authorities, half of which would go to this county and half to the government.

Not required.

A letter was read from the Home Office with reference to the employment of police-women, and the Chief Constable caused much laughter by remarking that if they gave him policewomen he would not know what on earth to do with them.

The Committee expressed themselves in favour of rear lights being used by cyclists.”

The Stamford Mercury, 21st January, 1927.

This touching tale of rehousing endangered newts was reported 27 years ago. Let’s hope the colony is still surviving in its Uffington idyll.

‘A rare species of newt has been found a new home by a major housing developer after it was discovered at an Uffington building site.

Around 70 to 80 Great Crested Newts, which are an endangered species, were found in a disused seasonal pond but are now living in water haven purpose-built by David Wilson Homes.

Th rescue operation was co-ordinated with the help of ecologist David Jones and English Nature who approved the new 100 metre square pond which features aquatic plants, shrubs and trees.

The company’s landscape architect, Margaret Leech, said: “It’s the first time the company has come across anything like this.

She added: “It was a nightmare transplanting them to the new pond. It took about four days with us catching them with nets and carrying them in buckets.”

Mrs Leech says the pond has been designed with gently sloping sides so it attracts other wildlife and when the newts were moved so were frogs and toads.

The rare newts which Mrs Leech likens to “little dinosaurs”, can grow to more that eight inches long and have a crest running down their backs.

The moist-textured reptiles are green and brown in colour and develop a blue and orange chest in the breeding season.

Most of the Great Crested Newt population lives in Europe and Mrs Leech said: “We have got to maintain our stocks for the rest of the world.”‘

The Stamford Mercury, 13th August, 1993.

Following the recent news that there should be thirteen zodiac signs, it was interesting to find this article from 1920. The International Fixed Calendar was designed in 1902, but never adopted by any country. Its strict rules, probably explain why! (Unfortunately, either Major Penberthy or the journalist who wrote the following item did not check his arithmetic: 13 x 28 = 364!)

“THAT THIRTEENTH MONTH! (by Major F. Penberthy). – ‘If someone suddenly asked me how many dates has August, I should automatically recite that doggerel beginning, ‘Thirty days hath September.’ I can’t help it. And I believe everybody else does it too.’ Writes Major F. Penberthy in the January Pearson’s Magazine. He proceeds to explain the coming reform of the calendar, which has been discussed for some time past by the International Convention, and is now likely to come into being. Major Penberthy’s article throws some extraordinarily interesting sidelights on a matter which is undoubtedly everybody’s concern. Under the new scheme the year will consist of thirteen months of twenty-eight days each. Leap year will be provided for by the insertion possibly between July and August of a day which could be made a world-wide holiday. How the new year will be worked from a business point of view is most interestingly discussed.”

Stamford Mercury, 16th January, 1920.

In 1816 travel to Paris would normally take 73 hours from London, but the relatively new hot-air ballooning craze meant this could be cut to ten hours! Sadly, we do know not if this undertaking was successful, nor could we find a picture of the dolphin-shaped balloon – one can only imagine!

‘TRAVELLING IN A BALLOON. – A Mr. Egg, of the Strand, (a German,) has nearly completed a balloon, in the shape of a dolphin, for the avowed purpose of carrying the nobility and gentry to Paris, and subsequently elsewhere. It is to be made capable of conveying from 15 to 20 persons to Paris in the short space of 10 hours or less: it is worked by steam, and the wings are intended to act as rudders. The journey from London to Paris by Dover, is now performed in 73 hours: viz. 12 hours to Dover; 7 hours (upon the average) to wait at Dover; 6 hours (average) the passage; 48 hours to Paris, supposing a traveller sets off without taking any rest; total, 73 hours. This scheme, if carried into execution, bids defiance to the usual exactions of innkeepers, the customary search of custom-house officers, and all the ordinary impediments which so frequently annoy sensitive travellers. Mr. Egg is prosecuting this undertaking in a building in Brompton. – Observer.’

Stamford Mercury, 23rd August, 1816.

Strict enforcement of the licensing laws were in effect in the years after the second World War. Police sergeants and police constables would be vigilant in upholding these laws. For one lucky man the law was not enforced as he had a friend who confirmed his own version of events.

“Glass Taken Away Too Quickly

Following the warning, given by Licensing Justices at the annual brewster sessions concerning the consumption of drink on licenced premises after hours, Stamford Police have made several checks on inns, and as a result Michael Reginald Edward Ranger. a corporal in the R. A. F. stationed at Swinderby, appeared before the borough magistrates on Saturday, charged with such an offence at the London inn on 7 February.

Evidence of a visit to the lounge of the inn at 10.15 p.m. was given by P.s. Swain, who said he found it crowded. There were three glasses containing beer on the bar, and one, a pint glass, which the defendant said was “dead.” On turning round, however, he saw defendant take up the glass and start drinking.

P.c. Foreman corroborated.

Defendant, who pleaded, “Not guilty,” told the magistrates that he was not drinking from the glass, but only making a gesture of farewell.

A friend, Sergeant R. F. Banning, stationed at North Luffenham, said that as defendant picked up the glass the sergeant reached over and took it from him. He did not see defendant drink from the glass.

The magistrates dismissed the case.”

Stamford Mercury, 1st March, 1948.

Despite the argument about the price of his prawns, this fishmonger does sound quite jolly. The title of the piece refers to the iconic ‘Skegness is so bracing‘ poster, featuring a fisherman skipping down the beach.

A NEW “JOLLY FISHERMAN”

‘POLICE COURT SEQUEL TO ARGUMENT OVER PRAWNS.

Skegness police court was convulsed with laughter on Tuesday, throughout the hearing of a charge against Edward Evison, a Skegness fishmonger for using obscene language.

P.c. Mapleson said defendant was having and argument with a man concerning some prawns, and used very bad language.

Defendant: What did I say, for I’m blowed if I can remember?

On the constable’s report being read to himn, defendant commented: “I should think it’s about right. It’s about what I should say when I was telling anybody off.”

The Chairmamn: Why don’t you keep your mouth clean, Evison?

Defendant: I ought to, sir; I keep having it washed well.

In excuse for his linguistic display, Evison said the other man started “slavering” about the price of his prawns, and so he gave him some “chin wag” back.

On being told that the fine would be 10s., defendant exclaimed, “What again? Why, that’s more than I’ve took this morning. I shall have to get off and get shut of something quick.’

Stamford Mercury, 24th June, 1927.

A visit to the cinema was very popular in the 1920s. Films were, of course, silent, although this would all change in the October after these two films were shown, when “The Jazz Singer“, starring Al Jolson, was released by Warner Bros.

‘”BROWN OF HARVARD”

AT THE CENTRAL CINEMA.

Laughter-shaken audiences at the Central Cinema this week will testify to the success of one of the latest comedies. “Skinner’s Dress Suit,” picturised from Henry Irving Dodge’s book of the same title, and with Reginald Denny in the leading role. Denny conveys more with the life of an eyebrow than many others can with their entire bodies The film is an amusing sotry of a couple who attempt to live beyond their means and learn an embarrassing lesson as a result. In support of Denny is a cast of most capable and versatile players, including Laura La Plante.

“Brown of Harvard,” next week’s film, is a picture that will fascinate everybody. This film is a tale of modern college life, full of pathos and infectious humour. THrilling sport scenes of “rugger” games and boat-races supplement an egrossing love story between William Haines and Mary Brian, both well-known in the cinema world, but the outstanding actor is undoubtedly Jack Pickford.’*

Stamford Mercury, 11th March, 1927.

*Jack Pickford was Mary Pickford’s younger brother.

A nice little anecdote about a young Malcolm Sargent at his primary School.

‘Many readers will remember Sir Malcolm Sargent as a schoolboy, both at the Bluecoat School, Stamford and at Stamford School, and an acquaintance recalls an incident concerning young Sargent while at the former.

As is the custom among new boys at the beginning of a new school term, he received the inquiry from another lad “What’s your name?” “Sargent,” he replied, “what’s yours?” Apparently his interogator halied from Rutland, and his reply, “Watchorn,” came to Sir Malcolm’s ears as “What’s yourn?” Somewhat nonplussed, the young Sargent repeated his name and also his own question. My informant tells me there were several such exchanges before the lad Watchorn established his identity.

Sir Malcolm, by the way, once publically stated that his first appearance on a stage was with the Stamford Amateur Operatic Society when, as a boy, he had a part in the “Mikado,” but a friend of mine informs me that doubtless unknown to himself, Sir Malcolm once had a “carrying on” part – as a baby in an entertainment in which his father took part, at the All Saints’ Church-room, Stamford.’

Stamford Mercury, 4th June, 1948.