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A popular crop for farmers in past times was flax and
a small but thriving industry became established in Bourne during the
early years of the 20th century, the plant being grown for its fibrous
stems from which linen, paper and other products are made.
The cultivation of flax was particularly popular during and after the
Great War of 1914-18 when the old grain warehouse in Burghley Street was
converted for processing, providing a large number of jobs at harvest time
for itinerant workers who flooded in from all parts of the country to take
advantage of the seasonal opportunity to earn extra money.
As many as 500 casual workers were encamped annually on the Abbey Lawn for
several weeks in a small tented town with a first aid centre and hospital,
a canteen for meals and even a marquee which was used as a church.
The men were picked up from Bourne by lorry and then transported from
field to field to keep pace with the harvesting which was back breaking
work and involved long hours but they did have time off for leisure in the
evenings and at weekends when they took part in the social life of the
community, using the public houses, shops, churches and other amenities
and many made friends among the local population. |
