The Church Crawlers Group is open for new members.

The group, which has been running since 2016, meets on the third Wednesday of each month. There are, of course, obvious overlaps with the Church Visiting Group but the format and perhaps the ethos of the Church Crawlers (an expression, incidentally, coined by John Betjeman!) are different. But the groups are, of course, complementary so you can easily enjoy both!

Each “crawl” normally involves visits to three churches. I have extensive knowledge of the development of English parish churches and am the owner and author of the popular website www.greatenglishchurches.co.uk. I have also visited many hundreds of churches. Church Crawler itineraries are created by myself to focus on particularly interesting architectural features and furnishings, mainly from the pre-Reformation era.

At each one I give a short talk pointing out items of interest before leaving you to explore for yourselves. Over time, you should see a narrative emerging about how and why our parish churches developed in the way they did. You may see wall paintings, funerary monuments, misericords (google it!) tympana (ditto), Easter Sepulchres (and that!), mediaeval stained glass, Norman fonts, Anglo-Saxon doorways and a whole plethora of other extraordinary things that are so easily missed by the uninitiated. But what you get out of the days is entirely up to you. If you just like to look around old buildings then that’s just fine.

Each day includes lunch at a reasonably-priced pub. Many people see this as a very enjoyable part of the day but you are free to make your own arrangements. A day typically runs from 11.00-4.00 and may involve up to an hour’s driving from Stamford to the first church, although most itineraries are closer to home. Lifts may be possible for non-drivers.

Church Crawls are great days out in often obscure locations. Have a look at my website to get a feel of what I’m about and if you like what you see and have any interest in parish churches (and who doesn’t?) give it a go,. The first 2024 crawl is on March 24, starting at the extraordinary fifteenth century church at Brant Broughton, one of the finest in the East Midlands. http://www.greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/brant_broughton.html

Contact: Lionel Wall:       brumman47@hotmail.com.       07801 258399

Do you enjoy walking in the countryside, getting fresh air and exercise with others for company?

If so Stamford Walking Group meet on 1st and 3rd Friday of the month and walk about 5 miles, we start our walks at 10.00 and aim to finish about 12.30 – 13.00. We have a break part way round for members to have a drink and a snack.

New members are welcome.

The group coordinators compile the list of walks and provide regular updates.

Members are asked to help lead walks and check the route of the walk and any relevant information in advance.

“With computers, two heads are often better than one ….”

The Computer Group had its origins with Welland u3a and met monthly on a Friday upstairs at Barn Hill Church. Its intention has always been to act as a forum for the exchange of ideas rather than as a session of teaching, as has always been open to anyone. There were Broadband connection problems at Barn Hill, and after Covid the sessions were moved to Tallington, and then again to their present venue at the Blackstones Social Club on Lincoln Road in Stamford. It is apparent that different people have different experience of using computers, laptops, tablets or smart phones, but when that knowledge is shared among others who may have a particular problem in one area of use, it is often the case that a solution will be forthcoming. The Group therefore welcomes people who may be beginners or have had problems, as well as those who have had more experience who can perhaps act as mentors, and enjoy solving problems. Sessions cost £3.00 and include tea/coffee and biscuits. At present sessions are held on either the fourth Tuesday or Thursday, 10.30 to 12.30, as it is difficult to find one single day that suits everyone, but if we can fix on one of those days, we will. Comments and opinions are welcome!

Martin Lander

01780 754567     07887 780987

The Croquet Group started in the summer of 2023 on the unused piece of grass in front of “The Shack” on Stamford’s Recreation Ground on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. The advantage of this arrangement was that we could hire the facilities of The Shack, which were very good, but unfortunately the state of the grass (hardly a lawn) left a lot to be desired. Although it had once been used as a putting green, it had long been rather neglected, so the first few attempts at a game were a little difficult, even after we purchased a garden lawn mower. However in the latter part of the season we were able to hire one of the three grass tennis courts whose surface was much improved, although we had to move the equipment further. For this season we should be able to use the tennis club’s facilities and new or experienced players of this fascinating game (it has been called chess on grass) are welcome.