The Bourne Cow Club

The cow was the most important animal in the countryside in years past, providing a continuous supply of milk, manure and eventually meat, hides and other by-products from the carcass. Owners were therefore anxious to protect their property and the most popular method was by subscribing to a scheme that would indemnify them in times of disaster.

The Bourne Cow Insurance Club, usually known as the Bourne Cow Club, was formed for this purpose in 1854 and in return for regular weekly or monthly payments, members were promised compensation if their animals died. Under the rules, three-fourths (75%) of the value of the animal was paid out in compensation if it died although the carcass became the property of the club who sold it to defray expenses.

The club was also regarded as a social organisation and the annual meetings were convivial occasions, held on licensed premises, when members could meet and discuss their business and the affairs of the day. The 10th annual meeting of the club was held on Wednesday 6th January 1864 at the Windmill Inn in North Street [now demolished]. The accounts of the club presented to the meeting are an indication of its success because they showed receipts for the previous twelve months of £50 18s. 4d. with payments of £37 6s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of £13 11s. 10d. after discharging all liabilities until the end of the year. Members celebrated with an excellent supper provided by the landlord, Mr William Banks, and afterwards spent an agreeable evening.

In 1890, the club widened its membership and was reconstituted as the Bourne, Dyke and Cawthorpe Cow Club, continuing in business well into the 20th century although its finances were not always so healthy, especially after those years when sickness took its toll among farm animals. When the annual meeting was held at the Marquis of Granby [in Abbey Road] in February 1901, members were told that the club had sustained heavy losses and had it not been for the generosity of members who made individual donations to keep it afloat, the balance of £23 18s. 10d. would have been much smaller than it was, having been £50 8s. 10d. the previous year.

A similar situation occurred in 1907 when the club was insuring 44 cows with a total estimated value of £650. But when the annual meeting was held that year at the Marquis of Granby on Monday 28th January, members were presented with a balance sheet that reflected serious losses because the sum of almost £30 in hand from the previous year had been entirely wiped out. The contributory factors were payments in compensation for three cows totalling £31 and fees of £12 19s. for the veterinary surgeon but despite members' contributions, the sale of carcasses and accrued bank interest, the club had a shortfall of almost £5.

The chairman, Mr Arthur Saul, a local auctioneer and valuer, told the meeting: "I am sorry to report that the club has had such a disastrous year and I hope that before we disperse this evening, members will be able to clear our deficiency and so enable our club to continue in a flourishing condition." A report in the Stamford Mercury the following Friday also reflects the social climate at these meetings which were always followed by a dinner and entertainment:

An admirable repast was provided to which a goodly number of members sat down, Mr Saul presiding. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr William Nowell proposed "The Cow Club" and expressed his regret that the call on the funds during the past year had caused a deficiency and he made an urgent appeal for better support. Mr John Faulkner responded to the toast as the [incoming] chairman of the club. Mr T Holmes submitted "The Chairman" which was received with musical honours. Mr Saul suitably responded. Other toasts included "The Town and Trade of Bourne", "The Treasurer", "The Secretary" and "The Valuers". Songs were contributed by the following, amongst others: Messrs O Hinson, F Fisher, W Smith, B Ayre, J Robinson, F W James, W Adams and W Nowell, and Mr O Hinson also gave a recitation. The singing of the National Anthem brought a successful gathering to a close.

The chairman obviously knew his members and his faith in their loyal support was not misplaced because the deficit was cleared before the evening ended.

The club continued in existence for a few more years but support had begun to wane and it eventually folded, due mainly to the increase in other forms of insurance, notably through the National Farmers’ Union that was formed in 1908 and continues in existence today.

See also Agriculture