Civic Stamford
As Kelham Cooke takes on the chains of office for 2024/2025, we speak to Stamford’s Mayor about the rich heritage and best qualities of the town
Stamford has a new mayor… but he’s a familiar face! Kelham Cooke will represent the town for 2024 and 2025, having previously served as the Leader of South Kesteven District Council, representing the Casewick ward along with Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew.
It’s an interesting time for politics. At the time of writing, we’re a week or two away from the general election, and with constituency boundary changes, local MP Alicia Kearns formerly of Rutland & Melton is now standing to represent Rutland & Stamford.
Elsewhere, Lincolnshire County Council and the councils of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire are keen to pursue devolution, which will see an additional tier of governance focusing on strategic decisions, devolved powers and greater discretion on funding, granted to a tier of leadership above Lincolnshire County Council.
Should devolution proceed, the process will also see the election of a directly elected Mayor to oversee Greater Lincolnshire, however that doesn’t mean the loss of our town or borough Mayors whose identities, in Stamford’s case, have been recorded since its charter was renewed in 1462.
21st century life in Stamford is a little different from the medieval era, when the town’s population was just 5,000. That gradually increased to 11,000 in the mid-20th century and latterly reached 20,000.
In such an era, both a modern system of governance and a local Mayor who is in touch with the town’s character, heritage and its people will be a great asset in preserving Stamford whilst ensuring it remains a vibrant, modern community.
Six boards in Stamford Town Hall recall the name of the town’s past mayors and the latest addition to the most recent board will be Cllr Kelham Cooke, who’s well-known in the town and well-versed in local politics.
“I really do love our town, it’s the place I call home and where many of my friends and family live. I have always had a desire in the past that I’d like to one day serve as Mayor of my hometown and to give back to Stamford and to do my best for our community.”
Educated at both Kirkstone House and Stamford Endowed Schools, Kelham read Business and Economics at Nottingham Trent University, graduating in 2011. At 20 years of age, Kelham whilst still at University stood for election and was successful in being elected to South Kesteven District Council for Casewick ward, a position he held until May 2023. During his time with the District Council, he was elected to the cabinet in 2015, then became Deputy Leader in 2017 and served as Leader from 2019-2023, providing strategic direction for 56 councillors and an area covering 365 square miles with a population of 155,000 residents.
In May 2021 Kelham was successfully elected to Lincolnshire County Council as the County Councillor for Stamford East Division and currently sits on the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee as well as serving as Vice Chair of the Adults & Community Scrutiny Committee.
From 2013 to 2023, Kelham also worked in the House of Commons for Nick Boles and Gareth Davies on constituency matters, local campaigns, policy matters and liaising with regional and national partners on behalf of the MPs.
Elected to Stamford Town Council in May 2023 at the same time South Kesteven Conservatives lost control to a coalition of independents, Greens, Liberal Democrats and Labour councillors, Kelham began working in PR and Communications for Meeting Place managing development and engagement communications, whilst also continuing to serve as a member of the St Martin’s Church Conservation Trust.
He was elected to represent the St Mary’s Ward on Stamford Town Council under the previous Mayor and Chairman Andy Croft, and on the 2nd May this year, he became Mayor of Stamford after one year on the council!
During the War of the Roses, Stamford was one of the 10 largest towns in England and it was seized by the Lancastrians who partly destroyed All Saints’ Church and the town archives, as well as its charters. In 1462, under Edward IV, Stamford’s charters were renewed, with George Chapman already serving as Mayor and John Browne taking up the position a year later.
Since then there has been over 560 mayors, each serving a year’s tenure. Among these is Henry Deer, a local alderman, boot and shoe-maker, prominent local methodist and long-standing town councillor. Deer was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Town in 1945, one of only six occasions that the honour has been bestowed on anyone (though the honour was also given to Sir Malcolm Sargent in October 1961).
Henry Deer was the town’s wartime mayor, serving in 1929 and then from 1940-1945. That role that Aldermen played in local politics would be replaced in 1974, and today’s civic members are elected, accountable and they work harder than ever.
“I think Andy Croft, during his tenure last year, made over a hundred civic appearances,” says Kelham. “The role that different tiers of governance play are equally valuable, from county to district to town council tier. One of the aspects of working as part of a town council that’s most rewarding is the very direct connection to the community that the job necessitates.”
“The work varies from week to week, but the role is about looking after our local facilities and parts of the town which are really important to the community at a level that’s very personal, from playing fields and allotments to cemeteries and public conveniences!”
“It’s an opportunity to represent the town and make sure it’s a great place to live at a community level. At the same time, as a town councillor and as Mayor I can be very much connected to those who live in Stamford, helping organise or appearing at events, meeting community groups and helping to support its residents, its business community our great local independent businesses.”
“A really good town council should be visible, relevant and accessible, and all of our 21 town councillors really are invested in preserving what makes Stamford special, from its close community to its diversity, its history and its architecture.”
“Already I’ve had the pleasure of attending a prize-giving event for local students at my old school, supporting Stamford’s Shoestring Theatre group at their recent performance and witnessing the sight of over 500 Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars in the parkland of Burghley House. It’s been a pleasure and I’m looking forward to really standing up for Stamford.”
“It’s also been great to welcome people to the Town Hall recently to introduce them to the town’s impressive civic regalia.”
“Even those familiar with the town’s history are guaranteed to learn something new, so I can definitely recommend booking a tour with one of our guides to learn more about the town and to see its heritage for yourself!”
Restoration of Stamford’s Civic Heritage
Work is approaching completion on the restoration of the six boards recording the names of Stamford’s past mayors, from 1462 to 2024
In the first floor courtroom of Stamford Town Council are six boards listing each of the town’s mayors, dating back to 1462.
With successive centuries of pollution, UV light damage and the expansion and contraction of the boards upon which the names are painted, cracking and fading of the oil-based pigments can occur.
That’s why the Town Council has sought out the expertise of Lincoln Conservation Consultant Rhiannon Clarricoates (ACR) and conservator Wei-Chan Birkett to complete a heritage clean of the boards’ surfaces.
After completing a degree in Conservation and Restoration at De Montfort University, Rhiannon completed an MA in Conservation of Fine Art at the University of Northumbria and has been a member of ICON (Institute of Conservation), serving as secretary of the specialists’ Paintings Group for over a decade.
The team previously completed a restoration of the oldest board, covering the period from 1462 to 1700, and during April and May, two further panels covering 1701-1749, 1750-1789. The work involves pigment analysis, surface cleaning, removal of discoloured varnishes, overpaint removal, and re-instatement of damaged text.
