A violent storm struck in the local area resulting in damages, costly repairs with broken panes and looking-glasses.
“On Sunday last, a quarter before two P.M the greatest storm visited this place ever occurred in the memory of it’s eldest inhabitant. The awful grandeur of the elements previous to it’s breaking forth no one could contemplate without being forcibly struck with the Psalmist’s sublimity, wherein he describes the omnipotent as riding on the whirlwind and directing the storm. Incellant lightning, continued thunder, the clouds intersecting each other in an extraordinary manner, excessive sulphorous heat attended by darkness (at which time a thermometer in the west aspect stood at 75, and fell before two o’clock to 60 degrees) preceded a violent tempest of hail and wind from the south west, which continued for about 20 minutes, and fearcely left a window whole in the town facing south or west; many had all the panes broke, and in some instances whole lights were drove in by hail stones, several of which measured five inches in circumference and weighed more than an ounce. It is supposed that 1,200l. will not pay the damages done in this place only.
We understood the above storm extended about six miles in width; was equally violent in it’s effects at Kettering and neighbourhood, where Boughton-house alone has received damage to the amount of 300l. From thence our readers may trace it’s direction by remarking the dreadful ravages at Dean, the seat of Lord Cardigan; Lord Carberry’s at Laxton, where fearce a pane was left whole in front of the hall, in which it broke several looking-glasses; tore up trees, and killed a cow;-at Fineshade, the Hon.J. Monckton’s; Kirby, the Hon. Finch Hatton’s; Bulwick, Blatherwick, Harringworth, Wakerley, Barrowden, Duddington, Collyweston, Easron, Ketton, Tickencote, the two Castertons, and as far as the 84th milestone on the north road, which appears to have been it’s boundary that way. Ryal, Witham-o’-th’-Hill, Grimsthorpe, where the Duke of Ancaster’s cattle is much injured; Bourn;-here it’s ravages are shocking, it being computed that 700l. will not repair the damage done to the houses alone; Sleaford also sustained considerable injury.”
The Stamford Mercury 9 May, 1800.