Memory Lane: Over 300 members attend Vale of Belvoir Women’s Institute meeting in 1973
More than 300 members of Women’s Institute branches attended a meeting in 1971.
The branches, made up of the Vale of Belvoir group, gathered at Belvoir High School, for a meeting with special speaker Evelyn Home, well-known writer for Woman Magazine.
The branches represented included Bottesford and District, Barkestone-le-Vale and District, Plungar, Stathern, Langar and Barnstone, Granby and Sutton, Orston and Thoroton and Kilvington and District.
The meeting was led by Mrs B. R. Edwards, president of the Bottesford branch.
She welcomed everyone, commenting they had not seen quite so many people at similar gatherings for many years.
50 years ago – Victorian invitation card is returned to the town
A mayor’s invitation card dating back to 1865 was brought back to Grantham in 1973.
Irene Ireland, who lived in Leicester but was born in Grantham, handed Mayor Councillor Paul Jones the card in the Mayor’s Parlour.
The card belonged to Mrs Ireland’s mother, whose married name was Walker and maiden name Briggs. Mrs Ireland said: “She always treasured it and said that it should be returned to Grantham.
“It is better that this town should have it.”
On the card, addressed to Mr Scarborough of Swinegate, it said: “The Mayor of Grantham presents his compliments to Mr Scarborough and requests his company at a dinner at the Corn Exchange on Thursday, 21st day of September.”
“Dinner at 5.00 for 5.30 punctually. An early answer will be obliged.
“Guildhall, August 31st 1865.”
The card also had a crest identical to a painting in the sessions hall in the Guildhall.
10 years ago – Quarry gift is a big boost for St Wulfram’s spire fund
A gift of the specialist stone needed for St Wulfram’s Church spire repairs helped the committee to reduce its funding target to under £70,000 in 2013.
Father and son Terry and Andy Smith, of Glebe Quarries, Ancaster, offered the Save Our Spire appeal committee the ideal Ancaster Hard White (uncut) stone for the job, meaning a potential saving of around £5,000.
Andy Smith said: “This was a chance to put something back into the local community and we are pleased to be able to help such a great cause.”
The gesture, combined with previous tenders for the work, meant the appeal committee had £68,868 to raise, ideally before work started the following February.
“It is a bit tight,” admitted committee chair Jean Parker.
“This is a tremendous gift because it is just the stone the architect wanted us to use.”
