Archive for category: Council News

An open-air service was held in St Michael’s Churchyard to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which in 2025 takes place on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

Commemorations were led by Reverend Andrew Hollins from Stamford Methodist Church and Graham Berkman of the Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community. The service featured a two-minute silence, the laying of tributes and a poetry reading by Stamford’s poet laureate Caroline Avnit.

Attendees then returned to Stamford Town Hall to view an exhibition of artwork submitted by local schools and Stamford College. The students’ contributions are all based on this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day Theme, ‘For a Better Future’. The exhibition can be viewed at the Town Hall every day next week between 10:30am and 3:30pm.

Mayor of Stamford, Councillor Kelham Cooke, said: “Today’s well-attended service provided a poignant occasion to come together and reflect on the atrocities of the past, while ensuring we continue to remember and pay tribute to the millions of people who died in the Holocaust and victims of other genocides.

“I’d like to warmly invite the community to visit the Town Hall over the next week to view and reflect on the student’s impressive creative work, which forms a meaningful exhibition based this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme.”

A team of volunteers have collectively given more than 1,000 hours of their time to support vital heritage work at Stamford Town Hall.

The impressive total was achieved in the past year alone, with a team of volunteers dedicating their efforts to guiding, cataloguing, researching, and preserving our collections.

An evening of celebratory drinks was held in December to recognise their incredible dedication to supporting and enhancing the heritage offering at the Town Hall, which is home to many significant pieces that form our Civic Regalia, as well as fascinating artwork and the renowned Phillips Collection.

Heritage and Cultural Officer Victoria Newton said:

“We are privileged to be able to benefit from our volunteers’ expertise and enthusiasm for sharing their passion for the treasures we store here at the Town Hall, and we’re keen to celebrate each and every volunteer for the support they have shown Stamford Town Council over the years.”

Following the cancellation of Stamford Christmas Market, Stamford Town Council is offering a virtual Christmas Market featuring a range of products from the market traders who were due to take part in the event.

Due to Storm Bert, which caused significant disruption across the UK, the decision was taken to cancel the physical event on November 24 to ensure the safety of traders, visitors and residents.

The opportunity then arose to create a virtual market, signposting people to an online portal highlighting the digital shops of many of the traders who had booked to sell their wares at the Christmas Market. After hearing about the cancellation of the market, local business owner Paul Buckley volunteered to create and host Stamford’s Virtual Christmas Market.

The virtual market allows visitors to browse online shops and view social media pages to explore each trader’s range in more detail. From jewellery and home décor, to beer and pet treats, there are plenty of gift options for Christmas shoppers.

More businesses will be added in the coming days and the site has already received hundreds of hits.

Councillor Jo Winterbourne said: “It was extremely disappointing when we had to make the call to cancel the market, as so many traders had worked extremely hard to prepare for the event and were looking forward to a much-loved date in Stamford’s festive calendar.

“We’re so grateful to Paul Buckley for creating this opportunity for the businesses involved to showcase their products on another platform, providing a one-stop shop for those searching for the ideal Christmas gift.”

Stamford Town Council recently recognised the incredible contribution to the town made by long-standing Stamford Civic Society committee member Peter Stevens.

Peter instigated or played a leading part in many major projects completed by the Stamford Civic Society after he joined the group in 2001. Now retired from the Society, Peter was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Mayor of Stamford, Councillor Kelham Cooke, for his services to Stamford over an extended period of time.

His first project for the Stamford Civic Society involved working with other members on the restoration of St Leonard’s Priory, including on the medieval building itself. Peter went on to be part of numerous projects that benefitted the town, including Stamford’s Open Gardens initiative, the Blue Plaque installed to commemorate antiquary William Stukeley, and the replacement of the sundial at All Saints’ Church. He was heavily involved in projects to tackle graffiti, installing information boards explaining key features of the town and improvements to the Bastion and its grass verge on West Street.

Mayor Kelham Cooke said: “Peter has worked tirelessly for Stamford and this accolade is well deserved to highlight the incredible contribution he has made to the town”

A large audience gathered in the historic Court Room at the Town Hall to enjoy an afternoon of performances from a range of talented singers.

The festive concert featuring the St Martin’s Singers was organised in aid of the Mayor’s Charities, MindSpace Stamford and Magpas Air Ambulance.

Tickets for the Advent Calendar Concert on December 1 sold out, helping to raise vital funds for both charities.

The packed programme was organised and compered by local musician Fergus Black, who played the piano during the concert. Julie Dearden played flute, and Ben Falkiner was on percussion.

Mayor of Stamford, Councillor Kelham Cooke, said: “It was fantastic to see such a good turnout at this special event, with a wealth of talented singers and musicians entertaining the crowd.

“What a perfect way to kick off the festive season while raising hundreds of pounds to support two important charities which both do so much to support the Stamford community”