The Town Hall

THE TOWN HALL has been the focal point of administration and justice in Bourne for almost two centuries but its role is currently under review and major changes in its use are likely in the future.

It is one of our finest secular buildings, erected in 1821 to a design by the architect Bryan Browning and now listed as Grade II. There was an earlier building, referred to by the historian William Camden in 1586 when making his survey of the British Isles, and probably built by William Cecil (1520-98), trusted chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, who was born at the house next door, later the Bull Inn and now the Burghley Arms, because his coat of arms was reputed to have been carved into the frontage.

But by the early 19th century this hall had become dilapidated and a site occupied by a house adjoining the Bull Inn on the east side of the market place was chosen for a new building. Browning, who later designed Folkingham goal in 1825, was asked to draw up the plans and he decided on an exterior staircase and recessed twin flights of steps within the front of the building that was to be constructed with Doric columns after the fashion of the Roman baths.

The project was financed with money raised through the county rate, from the sale of salvaged materials from the previous building on the site and from public subscription with contributions not only from Bourne but also from neighbouring parishes such as Market Deeping, Morton and Haconby, which between them eventually raised just under £1,400. A large painted board containing the names of the original subscribers and the amount they contributed is still on display in the main courtroom.

In the event, the total cost was £1,640 plus £811 15s. 1d. for extras that had been decided after the original plans had been approved. These included raising the height of the building by 2 ft., extending the hall by 6 ft., constructing the front staircase in Portland instead of York stone and increasing the size of the prisoners' room underneath the building from 9 ft. to 14 ft. The tower and the clock, however, were financed separately as a gift to the town by Mrs Eleanor Frances Pochin, widow of George Pochin, who was Lord of the Manor of Bourne Abbots for 37 years from 1761-98, shortly before she died on 16th July 1823 at the age of 76.

The building was duly opened in 1821 and was soon in frequent use, not only as a courthouse but for many other varied events and it appears that permission to hold these was frequently given by individual magistrates but damage was caused on some occasions and on 3rd January 1842, the justices met under the chairmanship of William Augustus Johnson to regularise the position, resolving that all future applications for functions required the approval of the entire bench rather than individual members and so began the present licensing system for events that we know today.

The Town Hall was also the centre of the weekly market with a shambles or set of stalls underneath and from the mid-19th century the fire station was located beneath one of the arches with a bell on the wall to sound the alarm while in later years, ornamental iron railings enclosed the entire frontage. The hall was often the scene of grand occasions such as the ball in January 1842, held to raise funds for the new National School in North Street, the biggest social event of the year attended by 170 guests who enjoyed themselves so much that they danced until their carriages arrived to take them home in the early hours.

The building has remained in use ever since and is relatively unchanged except that the shambles has disappeared although the market is still in the vicinity, occupying a purpose built precinct at the rear, so retaining this link with the past. The wooden clock tower was destroyed by fire which broke out as the market was closing on Saturday 31st October 1933. Firemen were called out after flames and smoke were seen gushing from the tower, attracting a large crowd of sightseers, but they managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to the main building. An investigation later revealed that the outbreak had been caused by the overheating of a gas lamp inside the turret used to illuminate the dial. The tower was never replaced but the clock was later installed in the pediment below where it remains to this day.

The Town Hall is now owned by Lincolnshire County Council but leased to South Kesteven District Council which in turn allows the courtroom to be used by the magistrates. The interior was altered in 1974-75 but magistrates continue to meet regularly in the main courtroom with a public gallery for anyone who wishes to watch the proceedings. The courtroom is also used for regular meetings of the town council and there is an adjoining library or committee room where the magistrates adjourn to consider their decisions when necessary.

A reception room area with a counter and access from the street is also used by South Kesteven District Council for the payment of the council tax and other public inquiries. The authority also has offices behind while those of the town council are upstairs at the back, overlooking the new market place. The courtroom was refurbished in the spring of 2004 at a cost of £90,000 and during the autumn, the exterior doors, woodwork and ironwork were also given a fresh coat of paint.

Court hearings are to end next April when cases will be heard elsewhere in South Lincolnshire and the future of the building is currently under review but it remains the central point of the town’s administration and therefore unlikely to lose its status in whatever role is chosen for the future.