Spirit of Stamford project will put history on display

A project to capture ‘the spirit of Stamford’ and put it on public display in a new town museum is now underway.

Following an article in the Mercury, people have been nominated to choose an item from the Stamford archive, a collection of 25,000 objects and documents.

Last week the first nominees made selections that - in their eyes - hold some of the spirit of the town.

While most of their choices are under wraps for now, a sneak preview of two has been granted, giving a flavour of what is to come.

MindSpace charity co-founder Dan Petrie was helped by Jim Grevatte, Spirit of Stamford project co-ordinator, to find a cartoon map of Stamford with various places picked out.

Explaining his choice, Dan said: “When we were searching for MindSpace’s premises, we looked at a former estate agent’s in Broad Street and there was a large map of the area on one wall.

“We knew it was the right place. We are trying to shape the culture of the community, and that geographical representation fitted this perfectly.”

Stewart Jackson, a Stamford signwriter who is fundraising to put exercise equipment on Stamford Recreation Ground, also made his choice.

He found a metal 3D sign for an umbrella shop formerly in Ironmonger Street. Within a few hours Stewart tracked down a black and white photo of the shop, on which the umbrella sign can be seen.

Anyone with memorabilia at home or at work that could be included in the Spirit of Stamford collection, which will be put on display at a location to be announced, can email jim@grevatte.co.uk