Bourne in 1909

History and romance have combined to invest Bourne with interest. Almost every street bears traces of the past. Modern and mediaeval houses stand side by side. But an historic past, however interesting, is not a negotiable asset. Fine old towns perhaps breathe a fine old spirit of deliberative movement. Brand new towns are born into brand new breathless ways. But happily there is life in our old-world places yet. In old Bourne, for instance, the modernising spirit is becoming everywhere perceptible.

There are unmistakable evidences of trade enterprise. The connection of Bourne with the G.N.R system, and the linking up of its Midland connection direct with Lynn, Norwich, Yarmouth, and with Leicester, Birmingham, and the Midlands, has furnished the town with almost unrivalled railway facilities. Enterprising tradesmen have not been slow to seize these advantages, and the volume of business is steadily increasing, and there are refreshing signs of important developments.

Bourne's most valuable natural asset, however, is its unrivalled supply of "the purest water in England." This might readily be utilised to far greater advantage than at present. There are important industries in which its superior qualities would prove of incalculable value. The leading scientists are expressing apprehensions as to the perpetuity of the earth's supplies of drinkable water. Hence it behoves us to conserve this grand underground store, and to guard against reckless prodigality of this natural source of wealth.

Therefore, while maintaining a fair and generous policy, Bourne should decidedly continue to safeguard its own interests in this vital commodity, and spare no effort to utilise it to the utmost commercial and economic advantage. This principle of municipal policy is I believe, being popularly realised, and I am happy to see that there is now a spirit of awakening and more vigorous enterprise. I feel confident that much as Bourne has to be proud of in its past, the future holds in store even greater triumphs.

Our medicinal springs are also an unexploited source of wealth and it is by no means an idle idea to forecast this as a factor in estimating the residential attractiveness of the town and locality. The strata from 80 to 90 feet  yield a copious supply of water impregnated with iron salts. The Blind Well, on the border of Bourne Wood, has from time immemorial been popularly credited with special curative virtues for eye complaints.

Bourne Wood is the natural pleasure resort for Fenlanders for miles round. Bounding their western horizon, its rolling uplands clad with magnificent trees, form a delightful relief to the great unvarying Fen with its suggestion of limitless expanse. Elsey Wood, Auster Wood, Morcary Wood, Bourne Wood, are the remnants of the primeval forest, the  great Brunswald, which (says Kingsley*) "with its trees of oak and beech, and ash, and elm, rose from the very edge of the town fields, covering many miles of Lincolnshire, as the woods already named, and Grimsthorpe Park, and parks and woodlands without number. To the southward it joined the great Forest of Rockingham. To the west, it marched with Charnwood in Leicestershire, and to the north-west, with the great Sherwood. Happy parties of summer holiday-makers enjoy the friendly shelter of the merry greenwood, where once the outlaw hunted the King's deer, and trolled the merry lay". 

The view that opens out to the traveller from Grantham on emerging from the wood on the crest of the Stamford hill is indeed a remarkable one. Stretching far away to the horizon, seawards, and sweeping grandly to the south, is the great fenland. In summer, this vast expanse of land is wonderfully fertile, tilled by farmers of skill unsurpassed, and here lies field beyond field, farm beyond farm, like a very "Garden of the Lord". That this land of teeming richness was once the impenetrable refuge of the warlike and unconquered Gervii, seems like an impossible dream. Hulled down to a faint sky-aspiring column, is the graceful tower of St Botolph's, Boston. To the south lies Peterborough, and, midway between these landmarks, rises the venerable tower of Crowland minster, recalling the life and labours of Guthlac, soldier and saint, the dauntless missionary, who, in the seventh century, first preached the Gospel to the fierce dwellers of the fenland.

Flanked by the Brunswald, which dominated the fenland southward and seaward, the position of Bourne, covering the railway from the Midlands, is one of great strategical importance. Probably this was a powerful reason for its selection by the Romans as a fortified camp. Here Saxon and Dane met in fierce conflict, and Hereward's sturdy stand against the Conqueror is one of the most stirring episodes in our fair island's story. In Saxon and Mediaeval times Bourne was a centre of influence; and close upon its border was founded the only purely English monastic order. Of the Augustinian Canons who flourished here for four centuries, the most famous was Robert de Brunne, styled by Freeman the "Father of our English Grammar," whose scholarly work once and for all settled the structure of the English language. Bourne claims as her most illustrious son, William Cecil, the great Lord Burghley, Elizabeth's trusted Counsellor - a man of ceaseless toil, rigid self-control, whom flattery could not move, nor bribes corrupt, nor danger terrify; whose sagacious statesmanship, through years of the direst peril led England from distraction and weakness, to unity and strength.

Place-names in Bourne vividly revive memories of bygone days: Guthram and Gobold - of great Alfred's fearless foes; the Austerby of our Viking forefather's heathen rites; Car-dyke - of Roman skill; "Willoughby" Road - of the heroic soldier whose name is immortalised in one of the most soul-stirring of old English ballads. The venerable Abbey Church is especially interesting; around the fine Tudor mansion, the Red Hall, cling romantic memories of good old Lincolnshire families, the Thimblebys and the Digbys, and of the troublous times of the Reformation and the early Stuarts. Cromwell is credited with the demolition of the Castle, but it is more probable that its ultimate ruin was due to neglect. The records of the chivalrous patriot, the patient scholar, the great statesman, the God-fearing soldier, the philanthropic merchant, the Napoleon of the millinery world, cannot fail to stimulate and inspire successive generations.

By no means least among the residential attractions of Bourne must be reckoned its low rates, as compared with many other towns similarly circumstanced. Bourne, too, enjoys the reputation of being a remarkably healthy town. The streets are well paved; and the general aspect is decidedly clean and pleasant. Under the control of the Bourne Urban District Council the affairs of the town are conducted in thoroughly business-like style; the sanitary arrangements being especially well managed by a thoroughly efficient medical officer, and inspector of nuisances.

The number and variety of institutions is a good criterion of the healthy enterprise of the town. Among these may be mentioned the Hereward Lodge of Freemasons, the Conservative Club, the Liberal Club, Friendly Societies, Sick Clubs, Cricket, Football, Golf, Tennis and Hockey Clubs, Debating Societies, Foal Show, Ploughing Society, Angling Society, Tradesmen's Association, Medical Clubs, Clothing Clubs, Nursing Association, &c, as well as institutional activities connected with the various denominations.

The Cattle Market formerly held in the Market Place, is now located in Hereward Street. The new market, in every way admirably adapted to its purpose, is the result of well-directed energy and enterprise. Pens, premises and equipment are fully abreast of the most recent improvements, and the popularity of the market is attested by the large attendance of buyers and dealers from all parts at the weekly sale on Thursdays. 

The social life of the town is pervaded with a cheery go-ahead spirit. The Institute, in West St., is splendidly housed, and forms a bright and popular centre of attraction. The Stamford, Spalding and Boston Bank, and Messrs. Peacock and Willson's Bank, in North Street, are handsome buildings. The Post Office, adjoining the last named, is a fine building, splendidly managed, and equipped with the latest telegraphic and telephonic appliances. The Fire Brigade has its engine, &c., housed in the lower rooms of the Town Hall. The Drill Hall, North Street, is the headquarters of the Half F Company 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorials), and has a gymnasium and recreation room.

Amongst old buildings might be noted a large stone house (now divided into two tenements) in the Austerby, near the Midland Railway. This was the ancient Manor house of the Bourne Abbots in pre-Reformation times. A large stone house - modernised - near the Manor Lane, in West Street, is known as the "Manor House." There are many ancient dwelling houses, and the domestic architecture of some Eastgate cottages is unique.

Reproduced from Historic Bourne by Joseph J Davies
Printed and published by  William Pearce, North Street, Bourne, April 1909.

*Charles Kingsley, author of Hereward the Wake, 1866

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