New books on sale to raise funds for charities

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A new book showcasing riverside walks and key attractions in Stamford is helping raise vital funds for local charities.

Authored by Will Hetherington (pictured), the collection features a series of carefully curated routes around Stamford and along the rivers Welland and Gwash. The author is well known for his Will’s Walks series, which covers Stamford, Rutland and the surrounding countryside.

The new book is a Stamford Town Council and East Mercia Rivers Trust venture with all profits going to the Stamford Mayor’s Charities, chosen by Stamford’s Mayor after their annual inauguration.

The five featured walks are:

The Meadows: 2.5 miles  
Stamford to Uffington Bridge: 5.5 miles  
Stamford and Easton-on-the-Hill: 5 miles  
A Stamford stroll: 2.25 miles  
Stamford, Ryhall, Belmesthorpe and the Gwash: 6 miles  

Author Will Hetherington said: “We are blessed in this beautiful old stone town to have the river Welland offering plenty of walking opportunities, either on the town meadows or slightly further afield.

“Meanwhile, the Gwash and the Millstream both link to the Welland and add another dimension to our waterways. Whether you want to walk for 20 minutes or two hours, this guide is designed to help you enjoy everything there is to offer for the pedestrian explorer in Stamford and its immediate surrounds.”

Rachel Butler, CEO of East Mercia Rivers Trust, said: “We’re delighted to launch this new River Walks Guide for Stamford, created in collaboration with the Town Council and Will Hetherington. As well as helping people discover more about their local rivers and what to look out for along the way, the guide has been designed as a template we hope to replicate across the wider Witham and Welland catchments.

“By linking the area’s natural heritage with Stamford’s renowned built environment, we aim to shine a light on the vital role the River Welland has played throughout the town’s history and why it deserves to be celebrated and protected.”

Stamford River Walks costs £4.95 and is available to buy at the Town Hall on St Mary’s Hill – card only please.  
 

It’s nearly time for Stamford Christmas Market!

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Stamford’s Christmas Market is back and bigger than ever!

This year we’ve extended the market into St Mary’s Street, meaning we can offer more than 150 stalls selling a fantastic array of products from independent traders on November 30th (10am until 5pm).

St George’s Square will be transformed into an entertainment hub, offering live performances, crafts, airbrush tattoos and a snow globe photo booth. There will be seating available for festive shoppers to take a break and enjoy the programme of entertainment on offer. You can find Santa’s Grotto in St Michael’s Churchyard and traditional fairground entertainment will also be on offer.

Market stalls and food and drink vendors are available throughout the town on Broad Street, the High Street, Ironmonger Street and St Mary’s Street, and there will be additional roaming festive entertainment throughout the market, including Santa’s Airforce, a pedal-powered flying machine!

Free parking is available in all SKDC car parks and this year we’re thrilled to share that Stamford College is offering free spaces for market shoppers. Please access the car park via Drift Road from 9:30am until 5:30pm this Sunday – the postcode is PE9 1XA/ hobby.windy.fired on what3words.

Road closures are in place on Broad Street, Red Lion Street, Star Lane, Maiden Lane, the High Street, Ironmonger Street, St Mary’s Street, St George’s Street and St Mary’s Hill from 6pm Saturday 29th November.

Photo: Larry Wilkes Photography

Christmas tree arrives in Red Lion Square

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Our Christmas Tree has arrived!

The 30ft Norway Spruce is now in place in Red Lion Square, ready for our Christmas Lights Switch-on on November 27th.

Stamford Town Council would like to say a big thank you to Burghley Estate for the kind donation each year of a tree and local farmer Andrew Hinch for helping to get it in place.

Come and see the lights being turned on for the first time next week at 5pm – there will be spectacular light-up drum show, performances from LED glow stilt walkers, our schools choir and a very special guest turning the lights on!

Festive fun at our Christmas Lights Switch-on

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Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the start of the festive season with our extra special Christmas Lights Switch-On!

The evening will begin with a warm welcome from Town Crier Andrew Downing and Mayor of Stamford Councillor Amanda Wheeler, followed by a festive poem from Poet Laureate Ross Ayres. Our special guest will then officially switch on the Christmas lights, illuminating the town for the first time this season.

Enjoy a packed programme of entertainment, including a spectacular light-up drum show and performances from LED glow stilt walkers, adding sparkle and excitement throughout the Square and surrounding streets. Our school choirs will perform festive favourites for all to enjoy.

Gather your family and friends, wrap up warm, and join us in Red Lion Square by 5pm to join in this much-loved community event. There are plenty of late-night shopping opportunities available across the town, so do stay and support our local retailers!

 

Notice of Vacancy in the Office of Councillor

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Please find a Parish Council Vacancy Notice for St John’s Ward: Notice

The Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance

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Thank you to everybody who joined us to support the Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance on Broad Street on Sunday.  

The event began with a parade of military personnel, veterans, cadets and members of the Royal British Legion, accompanied by Stamford Brass.  

A two-minute silence was observed, led by the Chairman of the Stamford Branch of the Royal British Legion, and wreaths were laid at the War Memorial while poppy petals were scattered from the terrace at Browne’s Hospital.  

The Mayor of Stamford Councillor Amanda Wheeler gave a reading, and a short service was conducted from the War Memorial by The Rev Canon Mark Warrick, Honorary Chaplain for the Royal British Legion. Poet Laureate Ross Ayres read a poem written especially for the occasion.  

The event concluded with the National Anthem before the Parade marched off.  

 

 

Notice of Vacancy in the Office of Councillor

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Please find a Parish Council Vacancy Notice for All Saint’s South Ward:  Notice

Join us for the Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance

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The public are warmly invited to join us for the Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance this Sunday as we gather to remember those who have given their lives in service of the nation.

Large crowds will line Broad Street as the parade of military personnel, veterans, members of the Royal British Legion and cadets set off from Star Lane at 10:50am, accompanied by Stamford Brass.

A service will then be led by The Rev Canon Mark Warrick, Honorary Chaplain for the Royal British Legion, from the balcony at Browne’s Hospital. The two-minute silence will be held at 11am, the Reveille is then played, followed by the Kohima read by the President of the Stamford Branch of the Royal British Legion. The Mayor of Stamford, Councillor Amanda Wheeler, will deliver a reading and wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial. The Poet Laureate for Stamford, Ross Ayres, will also read out a poem prepared especially for the occasion.

Please note, parking bays in front of the War Memorial will be suspended from 6pm November 8th until after the event. Please ensure all vehicles are removed from the area during this window. Broad Street and Star Lane will also be closed from 7am until 2pm.

Please find a copy of the Order of Service 

Join our Spooktacular event on Stamford Recreation Ground

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Come and enjoy some spooky fun at Stamford Recreation Ground with our free Halloween event!

There will be:

– An interactive quiz & games

– Crafts

– A fancy dress competition

– A prize for the best dressed pet

– Refreshments available

– Live entertainment

Organised by Stamford Town Council and The Friends of Stamford and Rutland Theatre, join us between 1:30pm and 3pm on October 26th. We hope to see you there!

A Halloween event poster features cartoon children in costumes—Frankenstein, vampire, and pumpkin—with event details for "Spooktacular on the Rec" on October 26, 2025.

Running events raise money for Mayoral charity

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What an incredible week of running events, fundraising and raising awareness for World Mental Health Day!

The Mayor of Stamford has been taking part in a series of runs with members of the community to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The week kicked off with tail walking at Rutland Water Junior Park Run before Councillor Amanda Wheeler joined the 2nd Stamford Town Scouts, one of the charities she is supporting during her Mayoral Year, to run a mile near their HQ.

A group of children run across a grassy field toward a building at dusk, with trees and outdoor structures in the background.

In collaboration with another of her chosen charities, MindSpace Stamford, two special running events were organised including a morning 5K run and a one-mile route from the Town Hall. Both events raised more than £450 for Mindspace and saw a great turnout.

Thank you so much to everybody who walked, jogged or ran with the Mayor, while helping to raise awareness and vital funds.