The Stamford Local History Society is a group deicated to the history of Stamford in Lincolnshire, England. We enjoy talks from a variety of speakers, visits to places of interest and researching the history of our town and local area. TALKS MUSEUM ARTICLES BECOME A MEMBER WELCOME to Stamford Local History Society where members attend talks, visit local places of interest and research topics about the town and surrounding districts. OUR TALKS From September to June members or guest speakers give a range of talks, usually on the first Thursday of each month. Most of the subject matter is of local interest, but is diverse from archaeology to family history. Our meeting location Barn Hill Church, Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE. Access is via the covered walkway from Barn Hill or from North Street, which is also a wheelchair-friendly entrance. Talks start at 7.30pm with complimentary refreshments served from 7pm. Entry is £2 for members and £5 for non-members payable at the door. For a map and directions go to CONTACT Be the first to know Sign up to receive details of our future activities and latest articles. First name Last name Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

Find out about future talks at The Stamford Local History Society. Details for forthcoming talks are shown here as well as details of previous events. Become a member today. TALKS During our season, which runs from September to June, we arrange talks on a variety of topics usually related to Stamford and its surrounding districts. Current Programme of Talks 2025/26 1 October 2026 Missing Buildings of Stamford Part 2 Chris Hunt 5 November 2026 Stamford and the Great Cecil Mike Burton 3 December 2026 Members Evening and Mini Talks My career with Mirlees Blackstone by Michael Brown, Pork Pies & Butcher's shops by Chris Hunt Mince pies and Mini Talks 4 February 2027 Stamford Alms Houses Penny Rowley 4 March 2027 A History of Crime and Punishment Stuart Orme 1 April 2027 A History of the Perkins Engine Company To be announced Perkins Engines Heritage Group 6 May 2027 The Evolution of the Roman Villa Paddy Lambert Roman History brought to life 3 June 2027 AGM and mini-talks To be announced Past Seasons' Talks 3 September 2026 Stamford Photographers Philippa Massey 2 July 2026 Closed Stations and Steam: The Stamford Area & The Beeching Cuts. Chris Hunt An Illustrated Talk 4 June 2026 AGM including three mini talks Chris Hunt, Trish Auciello, Chris Hunt Fish & Chips, Twelve Boxes - Six Monarchs, Stamford's Lost Font. 7 May 2026 The Luttrell Psalter, The Lord of Irnham's view of 14th Century England. Professor Michelle Brown 2 April 2026 Excavations at Prior's Hall, Corby, Northants Paddy Lambert To be held in the Church Hall 5 March 2026 John Clare - The Helpston Poet Rev Garry Alderson 5 February 2026 Celtic Paganism in the Stamford Area Professor Andrew Breeze 4 December 2025 Members Evening Trish Auciello, Richard Asher Mince Pies & Mini talks - The Life & Loves of my Gt/Gt Grandfather and The Battle for 51 High Street - 1960's Stamford 27 November 2025 The Story of a Rutland Mosaic Jim Irvine A Roman Mystery in the Heart of England 6 November 2025 Polish Servicemen in Stamford in 1944 Suzanne Sawyer Through Dad's Eyes 2 October 2025 Stamford East (Station) to Stamford Midland (Station) via Peterborough North Chris Hunt 4 September 2025 Fair Maid - Joan Holland, a romantic story Philippa Massey 5 June 2025 AGM Free Evening Chris Hunt Mini-talk - Shopping on Stamford's High Street before World War One 1 May 2025 Stamford Bradcroft and the Ancient Meeting Place of Rutland Dr Keith Roffe 3 April 2025 The Blackfriars Estate (Stamford) Growth, Dissolution and Development Keith Hansell 6 March 2025 Portable Antiquities Scheme Dr Lisa Brundle 6 February 2025 Stamford JUSTHEAT Project Dr Kathy Davies An Update 5 December 2024 Mince Pies and Mini Talks Free Evening 7 November 2024 The 1737 Stamford Parliamentary Elections John Smith 3 October 2024 The Road to Losecoat Field Dr Nicholas Bennett 5 September 2024 Mahomet Thomas Phillips Prof Heather Hughes 6 June 2024 AGM and Free Talk The Bacon Family Murders 2 May 2024 In Search of Two Brothers Jonathan Smith (Lincolnshire Regiment WWI) 4 April 2024 Must Farm Archaeology Christopher Wakefield 7 March 2024 Mrs Cromwell's Cookbook Stuart Orme 1 February 2024 Stamford Castle Prof David Stocker 7 December 2023 Members and Guests Evening 2 November 2023 Castle Cement Sinan Urhan 5 October 2023 Robert 'Troublesome' Brown Rev Peter Stevenson Father of Congregationalism 7 September 2023 The History of Horse Racing Penny Rowley and Stamford Racecourse 4 May 2023 The Villages of Kesteven Rev David Bond 6 April 2023 Southorpe Peter Jackson Two Thousand Years of History 2 March 2023 Grey Friars or White Friars? Linda Ball In Search of Stamford's Friaries 2 February 2023 Collyweston Palace Update Chris Close 3 November 2022 Law & Order in Stamford Philippa Massey Crime Punishment and Policing 6 October 2022 Private Life of Oliver Cromwell Stuart Orme 15 September 2022 The Hommet Family Prof. Daniel Power Norman 12th Century Lords of Stamford 7 April 2022 Genealogy on the Internet John Daffurn using a real heir-hunter case study 3 March 2022 Broad Street Stamford Chris Hunt 3 February 2022 More of Stamford's Victorian Underbelly Claire Richardson Henry Corby and the Murder of Miss Pulley 6 January 2022 Update on the Collyweston Palace Project Chris Close (Postponed COVID-19) 4 November 2021 Barnack Stone- Brian Palmer Rags to Riches 7 October 2021 Strumpets, Harlots & Prostitutes Claire Richardson Stamford's Victorian Underbelly 8 April 2021 Strumpets, Harlots and Prostitutes Claire Richardson (Postponed COVID-19) 3 February 2021 Prehistoric Settlement in the Welland Valley Andrew Hatton (Postponed COVID-19) 5 November 2020 A Tank from 'D-Day' to Bergen-Belsen Gerry Wells (Cancelled COVID-19) 1 October 2020 The Private Life of Oliver Cromwell Stuart Orme (Postponed COVID-19) 3 September 2020 The Courtier and the Queen Malcolm Deacon (Cancelled COVID-19) 9 April 2020 The Road to Losecoat Field Dr Nicholas Bennett (Cancelled COVID-19) 2 April 2020 The Village of Barnack Brian Palmer (Postponed COVID-19) 5 March 2020 Wothorpe Towers Paul Griffin 6 February 2020 Local Archaeological Sites Mike Clatworthy Torpel & Downhall Manors 7 November 2019 The Eleanor Crosses Keith Busfield 3 October 2019 Stamford's Courts and Yards Philippa Massey 5 September 2019 Castle Construction, Conquest and Compensation Dr David Roffe Christine Mahany Memorial Lecture 4 April 2019 Beginners guide to investigating house histories D Frearson & C Bancroft-Turner 7 March 2019 Where Old Stamfordians go Dan Stamp and what they get up to 7 February 2019 The Urban Churchyard Rev David Bond 1 November 2018 Mercury Memories Jonathon Smith 4 October 2018 Margaret Beaufort Stuart Orme Henry VIII's Grandmother 6 September 2018 Rev Arthur Galton Dr Maggie Mckay One time Vicar of Edenham 5 April 2018 Boudicca Chris Carr The Creation of Two Empires 15 February 2018 Stamford in Domesday Book Dr David Roffe 16 November 2017 The Civil War in Peterboro Don Chiswell and latest archaeological discoveries 19 October 2017 Colleges & Collegiate Churches Rev David Bond (Lincs, Leics, Northants) 7 September 2017 Dr John Willis and his family Chris Adams 13 April 2017 The Political John Clare Roger Rowe 9 March 2017 The Roman Archaeology of the Nene Valley Prof. Stephen Upex 9 February 2017 Sir Malcolm Sargent Penny Rowley 24 November 2016 Thomas Hotchkin of Tixover (1774 - 1843) Brian Palmer 20 October 2016 The Deepings Canal Project Maggie Ashcroft 14 April 2016 Life at Norman Cross: Stuart Orme the World's First POW camp 11 February 2016 British Racing Motors Jonathan Smith 22 October 2015 Stamford Fairs and Markets Keith Hansell 17 September 2015 Flag Fen Sarah Wilson 9 April 2015 Magna Carta Dr Henry Summerson 5 March 2015 Landlords & Neighbours John Hartley Pubs posh and pokey in St Mary's 27 November 2014 WW1 Jeremy Banning 6 November 2014 Victorian Church Restoration in Stamford John Smith 9 October 2014 Stamford Standoff Matthew McCormack Army versus Militia in Georgian England 11 September 2014 The Daughters of Durham David Marcombe St Leonard's Priory, Stamford, in context 13 March 2014 Researching Urban History Alan Rogers 20 February 2014 Longthorpe Tower Stuart Orme 14 January 2014 Stamford in 1913 Chris Hunt an Illustrated History 20 November 2013 Recent Discoveries and Challenges Jenny Young in Stamford's Archaeology 17 October 2013 Stamford's Role in the Cold War Richard Barry 26 June 2013 Contesting Stamford's Past John Beckett Local Historians in Conflict (17th to 19th centuries)

Blackstone Tractor Seat BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL This is a cast iron tractor seat manufactured by Blackstone and Company Limited of Stamford. It would have been brown or black originally. They are popular as wall art, like this one owned by a previous employee of Blackstones, or used as bar stool seats. They can be bought online, although watch out for reproductions. Blackstone tractor seats were produced by Blackstone & Co of Stamford, Lincolnshire, a prominent agricultural engineering firm operating between 1889 and the 1930s. These iconic cast-iron seats, often featuring the "Blackstone & Co, Stamford" inscription, were standard on their horse-drawn implements and early tractors, and are now popular antique collectibles for garden furniture. The company, based at the Rutland Iron Works, was a major employer in Stamford for over 100 years, becoming Blackstone & Co Ltd in 1889, focusing on farm machinery. The cast-iron seats were designed to be mounted on various farm implements, such as hay rakes, before being used on early tractors. The distinct cast-iron seats were produced during the height of their agricultural implement manufacturing, generally ranging from the late 19th century up to the 1930s. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

The Portico c1860 BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL The Portico c1860 The infilling of The Portico, which was completed in 1906 with extensions at the rear is today’s Public Library. Stamford Borough Council bought the White Lion Inn as the site for The Portico with the Butcher’s Shambles behind running back to Broad Street. Constructed between 1804 and 1808 this photograph (c1860) shows members of the Borough Police Force in attendance. To the left we can just see the Police Station and to the right the house for the Town Beadle. The Portico was also used to store the town’s Fire Engine. In 1961 a small museum was opened in the building and today (2025) houses the Discover Stamford permanent exhibition. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Pick & Company BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Pick Motor Car Company Stamford - Spanner Messrs. Pick & Co started in business repairing cycles in the 1890s. It was only natural that John Henry Pick, Jack to his friends, should move on to making motor cars. By 1900 Stamford had a firm making motor cars. The firm had a site in Gas Lane where Danegeld now stands before moving to High Street, St. Martins. Many of the parts were made locally, including the bodies which were constructed by Hayes and Son at Scotgate. A successful business was being developed but the First World War brought an end to many of Jack Pick’s dreams with the company going into voluntary liquidation in January 1925. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Stamford Victory Mug BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Stamford Victory Mug W. E. MARTIN was a Stamford business man whose firm built agricultural equipment on Ryhall Road and was there when the First World War was declared and they were the second largest employer in the town after Blackstone & Company. In August 1914 Mr Martin was the Mayor of Stamford and the Town Council decided that he should stay on until hostilities ceased. The mug is dated 1919, although we now see World War One as ceasing with the armistice on November 11th 1918 the Treaty of Versailles was not signed with Germany until June 28th 1919. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Hayes & Son Milk Cart BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Hayes and Son - Coach and Wagon Builders Based locally at their works on Scotgate, 1825-1924, partly where the car park is now sited. They produced almost anything that needed a wheel, from carriages for a Maharaja and the British Royal family, to a wheelbarrow for a labourer, and in the 20th century, coach built bodies for motor cars. One of their examples is this three wheeled milk cart owned by John Thomas Tabram from Uppingham and built c.1910, which can be seen at the Rutland Museum in Oakham. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

1902 Stamford Medal BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL 1902 Stamford Medal Key Details of the 1902 Stamford Medal The displayed object is a bronze commemorative medal issued by the Borough of Stamford to mark the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on June 26, 1902, featuring the town's coat of arms and naming the mayor at the time, Chas Gray. Obverse: Bears the right-facing crowned profiles of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra with the text "KING EDWARD VII QUEEN ALEXANDRA". Reverse: Shows the Stamford town coat of arms flanked by supporters, inscribed with "BOROUGH OF STAMFORD," "CHAs GRAY J.P. MAYOR," and "CORONATION, JUNE 26th, 1902". Composition & Size: Struck in bronze with a diameter of approximately 32 mm, and often features a small hole at the top for suspension. The history of Chas Gray as Mayor of Stamford Charles Gray J.P. was an iron merchant who served as the Mayor of Stamford from 1900 to 1902, famously leading the town's civic celebrations during the historic Coronation of King Edward VII. Historical & Civic Timeline · Early Life and Business: Born in nearby Peterborough in 1856, Gray relocated to Stamford in 1883. He established himself as a prominent local businessman, operating a successful trade as an iron merchant. · Rise in Public Office: He entered local governance later in life. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) in 1897 and won election to the Stamford Town Council in 1898. The Mayoralty: He was chosen as Mayor in 1900. Due to his popularity and the impending coronation, the council re-elected him on 9 November 1901 to ensure he would lead the borough through the historic "Coronation Year" events of 1902. · The 1902 Coronation Milestone: As Mayor, Gray chaired the full council sessions and orchestrated Stamford’s public festivities. Because the Borough of Stamford is historically permitted to use the Royal Arms on its municipal surcoat, Gray commissioned the special bronze coronation medals to showcase the town's unique heritage and mark the coronation date of 26 June 1902. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Barrel Ring & Opener BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Lowe, Son & Cobbold - Barrel Ring and Crown Cork Bottle Opener Although the firm of Lowe, Son and Cobbold was registered as a limited company in 1895 the Lowe family had run a successful Wine and Spirits business on the Broad Street site adjoining the Nags Head Passage since 1819. The brewery was in operation from the mid-1890s until the Second World War. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Bungay Halfpenny Token BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL That’s a fascinating piece of local history! The coin is a Bungay Halfpenny token , dating from the late 18th century. These tokens were privately issued by merchants during periods when official small change was scarce. The design corresponds to a Suffolk (Bungay) halfpenny token , dated 1794 , part of the provincial “Conder token” series issued by merchants during a national small‑change shortage. The obverse typically shows Bigod’s Castle ” refers to Bungay Castle , built by Roger Bigod , one of the Norman Earls of Norfolk. The castle’s twin towers are depicted on the coin, symbolizing Bungay’s medieval heritage. The reverse shows Justice standing , with the legend FOR CHANGE NOT FRAUD and the date 1794 . The edge is usually inscribed PAYABLE IN LANCASTER LONDON OR BRISTOL . A very similar token with the same Justice figure and motto was also issued for Kendal (Westmoreland) , but that version includes an “R & D” cypher and the word KENDAL on the reverse, which this coin does not appear to show. Purpose - Used locally for trade when official coinage was in short supply DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next

Jeffery & Blackstone BACK CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IN FULL Jeffery & Blackstone – Royal Letters Patent Plate 1884 The firm that became Blackstone & Co started back in 1837 by members of the Smith family. Following several ownership and name changes George Jeffery entered into partnership with Edward Christopher Blackstone in 1877 and although George retired to Ryhall in 1882 the company continued as Jeffery & Blackstone until 1888. During these years the company works was sited at the west end of St. Peter’s Street, including Bonney’s Paddock which was leased from Stamford Borough Council and traded as the Rutland Terrace Iron Works, New Iron and Brass Foundry and Agricultural Manufactory. DOWLOAD PDF Previous Next