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The motor car was a rare sight in the early years of
the 20th century and the arrival of several all at once was bound to
attract curious sightseers such as here in the market place at Bourne
during the summer of 1905.
The occasion was the annual rally organised by the Lincolnshire Automobile
Club, one of the first motoring organisations in the country which had
been formed only five years before. The members were mostly professional
men such as doctors who could afford the luxury of buying and running a
motor car and included our own Dr John Gilpin whose medical practice was
based at Brook Lodge in South Street.
The arrival of the automobiles which called in during the run created such
a stir that onlookers jammed the market place to see them parked outside
the Burghley Arms, then known as the Bull Inn, a family and commercial
hotel with stabling at the rear. The hostelry also had a central coaching
arch which was blocked in later years to provide the front entrance we see
today. The meeting was held there because the Bull had a reputation for
its hospitality and before heading for home, club members taking part in
the rally enjoyed a sumptuous lunch while townspeople had the opportunity
of taking a closer look at their vehicles. |
