Author: secretary

The Prince Regent (the future George IV) had a busy Christmas Schedule in 1813 which included visiting many of the great castles, halls and other noble seats in our area.

“The Prince Regent. – On the subject of the Prince Regent’s visit to this part of the country we copy the subjoined paragraph from the Courier of Wednesday. His Royal Highness’s horses left town on Monday, and were expected to reach Cottesmore last night:-

‘On Friday, the Prince Regent proceeds to Windsor to be present at the Confirmation of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, by the Archibishop of Canterbury. On Saturday, his Royal Highness dines with her Majesty, and returns to town on Sunday. On Monday his Royal Highness leave town for Hatfield-house, the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury; from thence he goes to the Earl of Westmoreland’s; and next to the Earl of Lonsdales’s, at Cottesmore, where his Royal Highness will remain two days. From Lord Lonsdale’s he goes to Belvoir Castle, to the christening of the Marquis of Granby, for whom his Royal Highness stands sponsor with the Duke of York. He proceeds from Belvoir Castle to Brocket Hall, where his Royal Highness will honor Lord Melburne with a visit. From Brocket Hall her returns to town. His Royal Highness’s tour will occupy the time between Monday and the 13th of next month, on which day, the day appointed for a General Thanksgiving*, his Royal Highness will be in town.

The Prince Regent will receive addresses on the prosperous state of Continental affairs from Leicester, Grantham, and other Corporations, during his stay at Belvoir Castle.”

The Stamford Mercury, 24th December, 1813.

*We assume this ‘General Thanksgiving’ was in recognition of the many victories over the French in 1813, although the Napoleonic Wars did not end until the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

A goose – along with lots of other things! This bird must have been quite large to accommodate the number of items (some quite sizeable) that the recipient found inside his Christmas present.

“The other day a laughable circumstance occurred at Barnsley, at the cottage of a labouring man names, Gibbins. A relation of Gibbins, who lives in Manchester, sent him a goose: its appearance led Gibbins to believe that Goosy was ready for the spit. After it had hang before the fire about 20 minutes, a neighbour of Gibbins popped in to have a peep at his present, who soon discovered by the appearance of the gravy that all was snot right. Gibbins, who had not previously observed it, was struck with the same impression, and had it immediately taken away from the fire and opened, when the following articles were found inside the goose, which had been put there with a view, no doubt, to save expense. The first article met with was a letter directed for Gibbins, on e for his sister, and a third for a distant relation, 30s. for a half year’s rent, a set of knitting needles, a print of her Majesty going in procession to Guildhall, two bottles of Godfrey’s cordial, six hanks of whitey-brown thread, a receipt* for making ginger beer, a new set of Christmas Hymns, and some confectionary.”

The Stamford Mercury, 22nd December, 1837.

*= a recipe.

Luckily for this cheeky mare stealer, the judges decided his crime was not a felony. Originally, a there was a distinction between a felony and a misdemeanour. A felony was a more serious crime (and, in this case, a capital charge). This distinction was removed in England and Wales in 1967.

” Samuel Newton was tried for stealing a grey mare, the property of Mr. Watson, of Lambeth. This being a capital charge, and the case rather new, we chuse to give a brief account of it.

Mr. Watson, left his mare in the street, in the possession of a poor man to take care of, whilst he went into the Free Masons Tavern. The prisoner, who must have observed this transaction, went into the Tavern, and on coming out, said to the man who held the horse, ‘my Master stays a long time, he has ordered me to take the mare home, and give you three-pence for your trouble,’ which he accordingly did, and taking off the saddle, he led the horse away, the holder of him thinking the prisoner had been Mr. Watson’s servant. Mr. Watson on missing his mare, found her at last in the Green-yard, in the Strand, taken there by the prisoner as a stray, for which he received a shilling, but without the saddle, which, on being apprehended, the prisoner returned. Baron Hotham, who tried this cause, summed it up as an actual felony, but Judge Willes differed from the Baron, and did not conceive it in that light, or within the meaning of the horse-stealing act; and consulting together, the Baron seemed to lean to Judge Willes’s opinion, and the prisoner was acquitted.”

The Stamford Mercury, 18th December, 1783.

The Yeomanry was a voluntary cavalry force raised from men who held and cultivated small, landed estates. These county forces came into being in the 1790s to improve the Kingdom’s defences against the threat of Napoleon Bonaparte, after the French Revolution.

“History in these Flags

Two old Yeomanry colours have just made their way back into Rutland – with which county they have historical links – and now hang in Oakham Castle, where one of them is seen in this picture.

Their story is somewhat obscure but it is understood that they were originally in Normanton Hall, home of the Heathcotes, one member of which family was responsible for the formation of the Rutland Company of the Yeomanry.

When the hall was demolished about 30 years ago they passed to the late Earl of Ancaster and were hung in the hall at Grimsthorpe Castle, until recently they were handed by the present Lord Ancaster to Lieu.-Col. J. R. Hanbury of Burley-on-the-Hill, who arranged for their preservation at Oakham.”

The Stamford Mercury, 8th February, 1957.

The Stamford Floral Arrangement Society (now more informally known as Stamford Flower Club) was formed in October 1956 and is still thriving today. You may have seen some of their wonderful ‘flower bombs’ around the town and at the hospital roundabout.

“Floral displays in church.

Demonstration at Stamford.

Bunches of flowers about a room make it look bright and cheerful, but even better effects can be obtained if rather than bunching the flowers they are properly arranged. Masses of colourful blooms are not necessary if due consideration is paid to the style and background of the arrangement as a lot of women are learning.

Since its formation in OCtober, membership of the Stamford Floral Arrangement Society has grown steadily, and at Monday’s monthly meeting of the Society in the Darby and Joan-hall about 120 ladies and two gentlemen gathered for a demonstration of church decorations by Miss Alexander, of the Julia Clements’ School, Chelsea.

THE BACKGROUND

Miss Alexander told her audience that for festive occasions it helped to have a stone wall background, otherwise it meant creating a background of foliage.

Most churches being rather dark, it was better not to use colours like blue or mauve, yellow and white being preferable. Having decided on the outline, it should be worked in remembering to keep the biggest and predominant colours for the centre. It was important not to make a flat-fronted display, but to bring flowers out over the side.

As she talked the demonstrator was working on types of displays, emphasising her points.

She said that when decorating for a wedding, it was advisable to use a colour that the bridesmaids would be wearing, and also the colour of the altar cloth.

FIVE FLOWERS

In one vase display, Miss Alexander used only five flowers, with a background of green foliage. ‘Never have enormous displays which detract the eye from the cross, which is the centre of the alter,’ she said.

Miss Alexander offered a number of tips such as working with the vases only two-thirds full of water, and not using flowers which shed their pollen and leaves all over.

At the Society’s next meeting, on March 11, members are invited to take along vases and flowers, and make displays which Mrs. Woolstencroft of Peterborough will inspect. She will offer any advise she may have.”

The Stamford Mercury, 15th February, 1957.

Following last week’s pledge by Stamfordian vigilantes to stop the bull running, the Mercury was pleased to report that no recurrence of this practice was seen.

“Friday last. the anniversary of the ancient and disgraceful bull-running at Stamford, passed over without the introduction of any bull into the town, and with a full observance of the pledge given to the magistrates by a large number of respectable inhabitants, that they would perambulate the streets, and present any breach of order. Friday and Saturday passed over quietly. Thus a large expense for the usual provision of special constables and other arrangements was saved to the rate-payers; and all parties now congratulate themselves on the abolition of a nuisance, and the redemption of the town from the discredit of a savage and odious practice, which afforded no real ‘sport’ to any body, but was continued only from a spirit of opposition to civilisation. The few persons miscalled ‘respectable’ who have covertly abetted outrage, are now ashamed to be known as the isolated friends of barbarism, and will soon merge in the great mass of society in Stamford who have set their hands to the pledge of peace and order. A great triumph has been obtained; not through the coercion of authority, but through the good sense of the people, left to their own spontaneous means of vindicating the law; and most heartily to we congratulate the town on the happy result.”

The Stamford Mercury, 20th November, 1840.

The Mayor of Stamford and its Magistrates were very happy when a large number of inhabitants of the town pledged to put down this practice, which supposedly began in the reign of King John. However, it seems they were more worried about the cost of the hire of special constables being added to their rates than concerns about the bull or anyone who was injured in the pursuit.

“This day is the anniversary of this illegal and disgusting practice: it is with the greatest pleasure we find that the town is likely to be relieved from the reproach of permitting so silly and dangerous a custom to continue, and that the memorial of nearly 700 inhabitants presented to the Magistrates last week, pledging themselves to use their personal exertions to put it down, will prevent the heavy expense which for three years past has been incurred in the endeavour to vindicate the law. The Mayor received on Sunday the following letter from the Hon. Fox Maule, Under-Secretary of State:-

'Sir,                                                                  'Whitehall, 7th Nov., 1840.
'I have laid before the Marquess of Normanby your letter of the 6th inst, forwarding copies of Resolutions agreed to at a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Stamford, in which they pledge themselves to assist personally in suppressing any attempt to revive the practice of Bull-running, and I am to inform you, that, relying on the Faith of these Resolutions, and on the Determination of the Magistrates to suppress this Riotous Proceeding, Lord Normanby will not send any extraordinary Force to Stamford this year; and he trusts that, by proper exertions on the part of the Magistrates, it may never again be necessary to impose on the Inhabitants of Stamford an expense quite foreign to the Secretary of State's wishes.
                                                            I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
                                                                                'F. Maule.'
  'The Mayor of Stamford.' 

This letter was printed on Monday for general information; and the Mayor and Magistrates communicated at the Town-hall on that day and Tuesday with many of the principal inhabitants of the borough 0 on whose renewed assurance that they and the other subscribers of the memorial will vigilantly watch against any violation of order, and mark for certain punishment all persons who shall attempt to run a bull in the town on Friday or Saturday, or otherwise to disturb the peace, the Magistrates have resolved not to put the inhabitants to any expense for special constables: they rely on the ordinary police force; and implicitly on the voluntary services of the numerous public-spirited individuals who have signified their determination to prevent the nuisance hitherto practised on the 13th of November; and we cannot entertain a doubt that this confidence will be justified by the result; that the town will be relieved at once from the disgrace of a barbarous custom, – from the heavy expense which has attended late endeavours to suppress it, – and from the apprehension that greatly increased charge will in future years attend a violation of the pledge given to the Government and the local authorities for the honest and honourable observance of the law.”

The Stamford Mercury, 13th November, 1840.

William Enderby lead a good, long life and fathered a huge family, whom he raised without the need for parochial relief. This was the aid given to poor people by the parish and sometime known as ‘out’ or outdoor’ relief (as opposed to ‘in’ relief which was given to those in the poor- or work-house).

“On the 22nd ult., at Binbrook, at the advanced age of 88, Wm. Enderby, labourer. His remains were followed to the grave by 13 of his children: he was grandfather to 101, great grandfather to 72, and his eldest son is grandfather to 38 children. This most respectable patriarchal labourer, during a residence of 70 years in Binbrook, brought up 20 children, (of whom 14 survive him.) by his own industry and frugality, without the aid of parochial relief. As a reward for his exemplary conduct in this respect, the Caistor Agricultural Association, at their annual meeting in 1799, awarded him a premium of five guineas. At another annual meeting, held at Lincoln, as late as the year 1823, a premium of 10l. 15s. was awarded to him, for having brought up the largest family unaided by parochial relief. The deceased was a native of Barnoldby-le-Beck. In his domestic relations, he justified the character of a good father and a kind and affectionate husband, and in his intercourse with the world he exemplified the virtues of sobriety, integrity, and industry, founded upon religious principle. Thirteen of his children are settled in this county, and one son and one granddaughter are resident abroad. The good example of this worthy old man finds a response in his children’s conduct, whose industry is very meritorious, and hitherto has not been unproductive of its reward.”

The Stamford Mercury, 7th April, 1837.

Stamford’s first fire brigade was a private one, owned and run by Gibson’s Foundry (at the east end of Broad St), from about 1852 to 1888. In 1887 the Borough Council decided to form a volunteer fire brigade and built a new engine house on East Street*.

The Town Council purchased the old Hayes carriage works showroom on Scotgate for use as a new fire station and the brigade moved there in May 1925. The brigade moved from there to their new fire station on Radcliffe Rd on 1 st April, 1965.

“The Fireman for December, publishes the following:-

Up to 1887 the fire brigade of Stamford was a very primitive one, and was under the superintendence of engineer T. C. Gibson, but most of the men as well as the engines (two manuals), had seen over 50 years’ service. In 1888 the brigade was reconstituted, and a steam fire engine, escape, and other appliances added to its plant, and put in charge of Mr. G. W. Johnson, who before taking office, went to the headquarters of the Metropolitan brigade for a month’s training in the drill class, and this, with six years’ previous of sea-faring life, enabled him to become an efficient fireman. Mr. G. W. Johnson is second surviving son of the late General Johnson, of Wytham on the Hill, Lincolnshire, was educated at Eton. and went into Green’s service where he served six years. By profession he is a land and estate agent; he is an hon. member of the Federation of French Firemen. In forming his fire brigade he was careful to select men of the same social standing, who are master men in their respective callings in life, and who all pull well together; he is a worker and no kid glove gentleman, and is usually first to a fire, and during the last five years all large fires have been stopped because the brigade has always been on the top of it before very serious damage has arisen. The fire station at Stamford is a very replete building, and is used by the brigade as a club and meeting-house. All uniform and plant is kept at the engine-house with the exception of the large escape, which is within 100 yards, and consists of one steam fire engine, two manuals, one hose track, two reels, and 2300 feet of hose. Two sons of the late T. C. Gibson now serve as engineer and sub-engineer in the present brigade.”

* the building still stands; it was the St John’s Ambulance Station, now refurbished offices. It was designed and built so that it could be converted to stables if the brigade didn’t take off!

The Stamford Mercury, 7th December, 1894.

Spiking people’s drinks is not a modern phenomenon: these accomplished swindlers used the ploy to successfully steal a farmer’s money.

“There was a full attendance of sharpers at the above fair*. One instance of the villainy is the following. About the middle of the day on Tuesday, Mr. Thompson, farmer, of Woolsthorpe, near Colsterworth, was accosted in the street by a man who had the appearance of a horse-dealer, and who, calling him by his name, asked him how he did. Mr. Thompson answered that the enquirer had the advantage of him; on which the fellow said, ‘oh, you must recollect me, I have seen you often at the Red Lion in Colsterworth,’ and her went on to ask about two of three persons in that town. Mr. Thompson, from the familiarity and seeming local knowledge of the man, suffered himself to be persuaded that he really must have met him at Colsterworth, and he accepted the man’s invitation to go to the Red Lion in Stamford, (near where the conversation passed,) to take a glass. Soon after they were seated in the parlour, a younger man joined them, and began to speak of his good fortune in having been left a handsome sum by an old uncle; in confirmation of which assertion, he pulled from his pockets a handful of bank notes and sovereigns (doubtless flash notes and base coin), and swore the he had more money about him than all the other persons in the house put together had; nay, he doubted whether there was another man who could show ten pounds. The fellow who had first accosted Mr. Thompson seemed for a while to take little notice of the young man, but at length modestly said that although he had no pretension that way, he dare say his ‘friend Thompson’ could show as much as the swaggerer. The accomplice said, he would ‘bet ten points that Thompson could not show ten pounds.’ The gammon was so well carried on, that at length Mr. Thompson was induced to go out to his own inn, (the Horns in the Beast-market,) and borrow 10l. of Mr. Roberts his landlord, with a view of accepting the bet at the Red Lion. Whilst he was gone, it is supposed, the swindlers infused some narcotic drug into his glass of liquor, the effect of which was so powerful, that on his drinking it when he returned, he because speedily affected with a stupor; during the time he continued in that state the thieves robbed him of his ten pounds, as well as of some silver which he had in his pockets, and decamped. When Mr. Thompson same a little to himself, he was so ill that it was snot without help that he could get up to his own inn, where he has continued ever since under medial care, seriously indisposed (from the effects of the poison). The swindlers have a present eluded justice.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th February, 1827.

*Probably the Candlemas Fair – horses, beasts and sheep.