George Bettinson

1819-1885

One of the leading farmers in Bourne during the late 19th century was George Bettinson. He lived at Dyke and had extensive land interests in the North Fen where he farmed around 1,000 acres owned by the Marquis of Huntly.

Mr Bettinson had the reputation as a fine judge of animals and enjoyed regular successes at local shows where he took prizes for his horses, livestock and even for sheep shearing. He was also a member of the Bourne Agricultural Society and a past president of the Bourne Fatstock Show.

He also took an active role in local affairs as a member of the Vestry Meeting at Bourne where he served on the committee to assess and value buildings and in 1877 he was also appointed an Overseer of the Poor and was a member of the Board of Guardians.

Mr Bettinson was a regular worshipper with the Baptist congregation at Dyke and when the new chapel was opened on Tuesday 15th October 1878, a branch of the Baptist Church at Bourne, he laid one of the two memorial stones. Apart from his involvement with the chapel, he was also a member of the British and Foreign Bible Society and frequently took the chair when meetings were held at the Town Hall in Bourne. His political persuasion was Liberal and he gave active support to the Liberal candidates in the Parliamentary elections for the South Lincolnshire constituency.

During the severe flooding in and around Bourne during the summer of 1875, he and several fellow farmers were commended by the community after working all night to contain rising water and to prevent the Bourne Eau from bursting its banks.

Sport was also a passion, particularly soccer, and he gave active support to Bourne Football Club by providing a field free of charge for training and matches.

Mr Bettinson died tragically at the age of 65. He was killed on the morning of Friday 23rd January 1885 at Wansford railway station while crossing from one platform to another to catch a connection to Stamford and was hit by the 10.55 am London and North-Western train from Rugby. "As the train came into the station it knocked the deceased down, literally cutting him to piece", reported the Grantham Journal the following week. "It appears that there was a dense mist prevailing at the time of the accident which prevented the deceased either observing or hearing the approach of the locomotive."

He left a widow and a grown up family. "He was well known at all the markets for a wide district round and never failed to command the respect of all with whom he came into contact", said the newspaper. "He was a thoroughly upright and practical man of business and a large and very successful agriculturist."

An inquest on Saturday before the coroner H C Gaches Esq., at Wansford station, revealed that death had been instantaneous. "The deceased had two wounds on his head, both feet were cut off and one arm nearly severed", said Dr F W Brown giving the medical evidence. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of "accidental death".

It later transpired that ten minutes prior to the accident, Mr Bettinson had seen his two youngest daughters off by train on their return to school and had twice bade them an affectionate farewell. The Marquis of Huntly send a special telegram of condolence to his widow and family.