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Stamford � Pretty as a Postcard

Words: Josie Thurston Photographs: John Smith

Stamford is one of the most historic towns in Lincolnshire, with the records dating back over one thousand years. First entries make reference to the ninth and tenth centuries, whereby it became one of five boroughs of Danelaw able to exert control.

One of the principle early breakthroughs for the town was that it was pioneering in its pottery. After the departure of the Roman settlements it became one of the first towns to produce wheel-thrown pottery that had been glazed. However, it soon became a different industry that placed Stamford firmly on the map – that of wool and textile. Haberget – a particular type of woven cloth became a signature for the town. Due to the location of Stamford, this fabric proved a huge success as trade flourished through the excellent communication links. Stamford rapidly became a prosperous and thriving settlement and by the thirteenth century had achieved a top ten status in size within the whole of England.

Throughout the subsequent years, Stamford gained a castle, fourteen churches, two monastic institutions and four friaries. It became an established meeting place for academics and parliamentary figures of the time. Buildings from this period of time still stand in the town, such as St Leonard’s Priory; the early thirteenth century tower of St Mary’s Church and most notably the fourteenth century gateway to the Grey Friary.

By the fifteenth century the historic town took a downward turn, mainly due to the shift of the wool trade to East Anglia. It was left to the rich merchants of the day to turn the fortune around and families of note, such as the Browne family helped to rebuild many of the churches that stand today. It is William Browne that founded an almshouse, which is a fine example of medieval architecture.

Although Stamford was financially in a state of decline, it was still a town that was in the limelight during the following century due to William Cecil, a local gentleman who became secretary of state to Queen Elizabeth I. The Tudor building, Burghley House remains as his lasting memorial. Today, the Cecil family have been largely responsible for maintaining the character of the town, preserving the architecture during the subsequent years as the town’s landlord.

The civil war surprisingly had little impact on the town and it emerged, following the restoration of 1660 as a prosperous settlement due to the improvement of the Great North Road and the now navigable river ensuring travelling through the town was much easier. The passing trade also found Stamford to be a timely stopover to the North and inns such as The George became a thriving business.

It was during this period that many of the fine buildings for which Stamford is renowned for were built. As wealthy professionals were attracted to the town, quality housing was being constructed, leading to the Georgian grandeur that dominates the centre of the town. The fascinating streets that were a product of the era have formed scenes in films today, such as the highly acclaimed ‘Middlemarch.’

During the nineteenth century, the introduction of the railways changed the fortune of the town again as the line by-passed Stamford in favour of other emerging settlements. The resulting slowdown in the coaching traffic brought an abrupt end to the flourishing trade and industrialisation in other areas lured residents away. However, agriculture did prosper and today Stamford has become an attractive market town with around eighteen thousand residents. It has attracted tourism as well as a mix of industries that have led the town to become a desirable place to live or visit.

Shopping in Stamford is largely located within the centre of the town, and the town has been remarkably preserved – adding to its picturesque status. There are many boutiques and shops, all within walking distance, located around the marketplace and nearby streets.

Stamford Book Festival

The Stamford Arts Centre will be playing host to the Stamford Book Festival this February and is set to be a celebration of the written word in all its forms.

The launch night (Friday 1st February) presents the opportunity to meet local authors Taff Lovesey (The Shimmering Gate and Spider Gem) and John Nowell (author of books on aerial themes – most recently ‘A Day Above Lincolnshire’) and many others. There is also the opportunity to hear prize-winning and 2006 Lincolnshire Poet Laureate, Pat Borthwick. On the night there will be readings and book signings and a question and answer session.

Saturday February 2nd offers the chance to join a selection of writer’s workshops and browse a selection of stalls and displays in the Ballroom. The workshops are open to anyone over sixteen. There is also a poetry workshop hosted by the aforementioned Pat Borthwick which has limited places available.

Following on from this session is a unique option to have a private consultation about your poems with Pat. If you are interested in this twenty minute slot you are advised to bring two copies of the poetry that you would like to discuss (no more than three poems each). Pat will be able to point out the strengths and/or weaknesses and possible publishing opportunities.

Sunday February 3rd is dedicated to a more family feel, with a session dedicated to ‘Potted Potter.’ This slot is an unauthorised Harry Experience dedicated to a family audience. Dan and Jeff host the session which lasts sixty minutes and endeavours to tell the whole series of books in that time and play a game of Quidditch involving the audience. This was a sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival and in London on its first national tour. It proves to be a highly entertaining performance well worth attending.

Monday February 4th brings the legendary Will Self to Stamford Arts Centre. Journalist, writer and broadcaster, Will Self is one of the country’s most respected contemporary authors. In an evening featuring readings, stories and a wealth of anecdotes drawn from his colourful career, he will also be signing copies of his latest book ‘Psychogeography.’

Tuesday 5th February sees a mix of Yorkshire words and European music with the combination of poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan appearing with composer and accordionist Luke Carver Goss of Szapora and a folk orchestra. This session has been created for all ages and covers tales of milkmen, heatwaves and even the late great Ronnie Barker.

Ghosts are the ghoulish theme for Thursday 7th February, when Robert Lloyd Parry performs two ghost stories by M R James. Over a century after they were written they are brought back to life in an amusing but terrifying way! Suitable for an audience aged thirteen and over it is sure to send a chill down your spine.

Sunday 10th February has a softer approach as the festival returns to a younger audience as ‘Tea with Dr Jane’ tells the story of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This session is followed by tea and cakes in the gallery.

Also as part of the Stamford Book Festival you will find a guided tour around Stamford on Saturday 2nd February and various films to watch suitable for a wide audience. As we go to press, tickets for some events are limited but there are opportunities to be placed on a waiting list should they be sold out. Call the box office on 01780 763203 or visit www.stamfordartscentre.com where you will find all the timings and costs.

Pie in the Sky

Nelsons the Butchers has been a part of the Stamford streetscape for many years. The original shop in Red Lion Square in Stamford has been a pork butchers since 1826. Harold Nelson acquired the business in 1924 winning over fifty Gold medals for his Melton Mowbray pork pies made in the cellar below the shop. On his retirement in 1952 he sold the business to Frank Gilman who ensured the continued production of the famous Melton Mowbray pork pies and Lincolnshire sausages.

In 1959, a purpose-built Pie Factory was built at Alma Place to satisfy the increase in demand. These premises now have an E C Licence and continue to produce a wide range of high quality meat products under the direction of Frank’s nephew, Guy Gilman.

The range of products that are produced by the firm has grown significantly over the years to include:

• Hand-raised Melton Mowbray pork pies

• Lincolnshire sausages

• Rutland sausages

• Sausage rolls, pasties, meat pies

• Fruit and sweet mince pies, crumbles, quiches and egg custards

• Own cooked hams, roast meats and haslet

• Ready meals – lasagne, cottage pies and scotch eggs

As well as the five shops in Stamford, Oakham, Uppingham and Grantham, Nelsons also have refrigerated mobile shops that deliver to villages within a fifteen mile radius of Stamford. This is a service that is much appreciated by residents and has proved to be extremely popular.

The meat that Nelsons use is bought directly from nearby farms or through the local market. The farms have all been accredited with the ‘farm assured’ label, guaranteeing the highest standards of animal husbandry. They regularly buy the champion prize-winning beef and lamb at the local Christmas Prizestock shows. Nelsons have themselves won a string of awards for their fine produce, including their pork pies, sausage rolls and pasties.

Nelsons have been in the news recently as they were chosen to make festive pork pies for both the Queen and Prince Charles. This grand honour was not taken lightly and the task of producing two –pound pies for the Queen was carefully undertaken. Most pies are produced in tins but the pies produced for the Royal household were formed round a traditional wooden mould – a procedure carried out for centuries.

Food producers in the East Midlands have been campaigning for the Melton Mowbray pork pie to get the same legal protection as given to Champagne and Parma Ham.