The belief that the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 was for many years mistakenly thought to have been hatched at the Red Hall, thus giving the inhabitants of Bourne an added impetus to celebrate the occasion on every November 5th. Unfortunately, these occurrences frequently got out of hand resulting in injury and damage to property and as a result, strict precautions were taken to suppress unruly or even riotous behaviour that often had serious consequences.

One of the earliest accounts we have if such disturbances comes from the Stamford Mercury which reported on the previous week's attempt to celebrate Guy Fawkes' Night on Friday 14th November 1851 with a colourful description of what had occurred.

"If Cardinal Wiseman had been playing at Bo-peep on the 5th", said the report, "he would have been delighted with the efforts made to suppress the rejoicings of the populace on that day. A large posting bill was issued two days previously, emanating from the constables, giving notice that all persons attempting to light a fire or let off any fireworks would be apprehended and dealt with according to law. A meeting of the inhabitants was held at the Angel at which many signed a document promising to support the constables in discharge of their duty. Every preparation was made and precautions taken to suppress any outbreak of the popular feeling against the diabolical Papist plot in 1605. Jesuitism must have been at work to have affected in so short a time mortal aversion to the doings on these anniversaries. Such, however, appeared to be the fact and about 40 persons promised their assistance.

"A laughable incident occurred at the meeting: an enquiry was made as to who were usually the ringleaders on the occasion when one of the party said be believed there were some in the room, mentioning the names of four (one of them the previous speaker) who had been most unruly and reckless promoters of a bonfire on former occasions, which provoked much laughter and some little chagrin.

"At dark, the lamps were lighted and the constables were on the alert to check all lawless proceedings: much noise and confusion prevailed but no attempt was made to light a fire in the Market Place. A small fire now and then at the extremities of the town afforded the authorities exercise to suppress them. Squibs and crackers flew about in various directions and the names of many who indulged in this kind of disobedience were taken down. No captures were, however, affected until four young gentlemen entered the town disguised in military costume which attracted a large body of people. They were immediately seized and taken to the Bull Inn. On discovering who they were, an admonition was administered and they were set at liberty.

"About 8 o'clock, someone in the disguise of 'Old Nick' issued from the gateway of the Bull Inn amidst roars of laughter. Scarcely had he proceeded across the Market Place before he was beset by the police: his tail, which made of jagged zinc and covered with red paint, was seized by one of the force who, however, was glad to loose him with a lacerated hand and (apparently) loss of blood. He was captured and safely deposited in the prison at the Town Hall. Some few of the inhabitants, adverse to the proceedings of the authorities, lighted small fires in the front of the own dwellings with impunity.

"On Thursday afternoon, the individual who had assumed the character of the devil was brought before Captain Peacock [a magistrate] who pronounced him a very civil devil and discharged him on promising to appear before the magistrates in petty sessions if required. We regret that some dastardly blackguards broke the windows of some of the inhabitants during the night."

The comparatively quiet proceedings, however, produced an atmosphere of antagonism towards authority in the town and the Stamford Mercury reported the following month (December 26th) that the determination of the authorities to put down not only a fire but also the use of fireworks had provoked the most offensive reprisals. "Personal attacks in print and by means of posters or fly sheets displayed about the town are the fruits of the untoward and somewhat forward assumption of power", said the report. "These have been succeeded by the cowardly and dastardly act of midnight attacks of the windows of those instrumental in arresting the popular feeling on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. Until one party can abandon feelings of persecution, we see but little hope of the other returning to order and decorum."

Nevertheless, the events of that year were relatively peaceful when compared with later celebrations in Bourne and the introduction of a new feature with the rolling of lighted tar barrels around the Market Place and main streets which may have seemed fun for the participants but was regarded as foolhardy by the authorities who responded to demands that the practice should be stopped. The Stamford Mercury reported on Friday 10th November 1854:

"On Monday evening, a considerable number of persons congregated in the Market Place and West Street, some to witness and others to engage in letting off fireworks and rolling about burning tar barrels. Though there was a fire in the Market Place and also in the Waterloo Square, we are glad to be able to observe that all passed off quietly and that there was none of the outrageous conduct and wanton destruction of private property which unfortunately characterised the celebration of this event on former occasions. To do the “young sparks” justice, it may be mentioned that no desire was evinced to commit serious mischief, but surely there might be found a more appropriate place for a large fire than either the Market Place or Waterloo Square."

The following year, the celebrations appear to have been more subdued, as the Stamford Mercury reported on Friday 9th November 1855: "The anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot and the battle of Inkerman [on 5th November 1854 during the Crimean War] was observed in this town on Monday evening last in the customary way. A fire was made in the Market Place and the boys and young men amused themselves with discharging fireworks and pistols and burning an effigy &c. No serious damage was done."

There were further disturbances three years later, as reported by the Grantham Journal on Saturday 13th November 1858: "There was as usual a good deal of confusion on Friday evening the 5th inst. Three or four tar barrels were rolled about the streets to the danger of life and property. A plentiful supply of squibs and crackers seemed to be in the possession of all the little boys of the town and were thrown in all directions. We would mention that one cowardly fellow, dressed in disguise, threw a squib into the house of Mr [Joseph] Williamson, butcher, [of West Street] and very much terrified the children; such conduct is unpardonable and deserves punishment. An attempt to have a fire was frustrated by the police."

Similar disturbances in 1862 led to several court appearances at the petty sessions held at the Town Hall, Bourne, on November 30th. The Stamford Mercury reported: "Mr John Bray, innkeeper of this town [the Golden Lion, West Street], and several others, were convicted of lighting a fire upon the highway on the anniversary of Guy Fawkes and fined £1 each and 9s. expenses. Mr Bray and two others paid the fine and costs and five were sent to prison for 21 days each."

More alarming incidents occurred twenty years later when the authorities became seriously concerned that matters were getting out of hand. In 1873, there was an uproar in the streets on the night of Wednesday 5th November accompanied by the discharge of fireworks and even pistol shots. Several fires were also lighted in various parts of the town and on Thursday 20th November, three summonses were heard before the magistrates at the Town Hall when each defendant was fined £1 plus costs. The accused men remained defiant and that evening, a pony and cart containing an effigy purporting to be a representation of the Superintendent of Police, Stephen Pidgeon, headed by a drum and fife band, was paraded though Bourne, along North Street, the Market Place and South Street, and afterwards burned in a field at the north end of the town. A large number of people joined in and although there was a great deal of commotion caused by the procession, the demonstration passed off without the need for police intervention.

In 1876, Guy Fawkes' Night fell on a Sunday but this did not prevent demonstrations on the Saturday before and the Monday afterwards. The Stamford Mercury reported on Friday 10th November: "Gunpowder plot this year has been attended with some riotous proceedings, similar to those which a few years back gave the place a rather unfavourable notoriety in this respect. On Saturday evening there was a considerable number of persons in the Market Place and North Street: fireworks were discharged, lighted tar barrels were rolled about and three fires made - one in the Market Place and two others very near. The police force in the town was very small and no attempt was made to prevent the discharge of fireworks or to extinguish the fires, which were continued until after midnight. Some of the inhabitants felt necessitated to remain up until Sunday morning to protect their property.

"On Monday it became known it was intended to repeat on Monday night the proceedings of Saturday, and 13 or 14 policemen were moving about in couples. Shortly before 10 o'clock a tremendous fire was lighted near the centre of the Market Place. Tar barrels were brought out and fireworks discharged in great abundance. In the course of the evening it was clear that many amongst the crowd armed with thick bludgeons, were bent upon mischief, and some openly expressed their intention to get into collision with the police. The superintendent has been for a short time from home, and on this occasion his place was taken by an inspector from Spalding, who at an early stage of the proceedings had to take refuge in one of the inns. Two other policemen rushed into the passage of a tradesman in the Market Place and pushed to the door after them. Most of the other members of the force were compelled to retreat to the police station [in North Street], followed by a mob, who at this time broke 10 or 11 panes of glass in the police station windows. Between 11 and 12 o'clock, after a great part of the crowd had dispersed, the police (13 in number) came from the station in a body.

"After remaining about a quarter of an hour in the middle of the road, opposite the Angel, they moved in three rows to the causeway, by Mr Harrison's shop and Messrs Measures' corner, striking some of the people upon the path as they proceeded, their intention, it is said, being to clear the Market Place. They had gone on a very few yards, however, before one of their number (P C Henry Proudley, formerly of Bourne), was knocked down, and he lay for some minutes completely helpless, the police continuing their progress, and charging other persons who came in their way. Proudley was picked up by two men who noticed him lying upon the ground and conveyed him to the police station where the injuries inflicted upon his head were found to be of a very serious nature. He scarcely spoke during the night or the following day, and on Wednesday still remained in a very critical state from concussion of the brain, occasioned by injuries upon the back of the head; one of his teeth also being knocked out.

"The police, it appears, became very much irritated, and charged right and left all who obstructed their course, and in this way innocent as well as guilty persons were severely injured. Mr Charles S Featherstone [a butcher of the Market Place], who had come out of his house in his slippers to look for his son, was knocked down and badly hurt about the head. Mr Bains, tailor, Mr Bradley, maltster, Mr Thomas Holmes, veterinary surgeon, Mr William Todd [tailor and draper], Church Street, and others, were also knocked down and more or less injured. Excepting the policeman, the most severe injuries appear to have been inflicted upon Mr Frederick G Palmer [butcher and landlord of the Mason's Arms in South Street], who was very severely battered, there being six or seven wounds on his head. He was found lying upon the ground near the [Ostler Memorial] Fountain, covered with blood; on Wednesday morning he was in a very precarious state and it will be impossible for a few days to say what may be the result. It is time that fire, fireworks, tar barrels, &c, were put a stop to."

Despite the gravity of the situation, those involved in the disturbances did not appear to have relented over their involvement as the Grantham Journal pointed out on Saturday 18th November: "The respectable inhabitants of Bourne very much regret the steps taken by some person or persons with regard to the affair. We refer to several cartoons which have been publicly exhibited, and to the senseless rhymes (anonymous) which have been printed and sold in large numbers, tending to cause ill-feeling between the police and public and spreading some very erroneous impressions as to the actions of the constables on the night in question. Surely it is not a subject for "squibs" and cartoons when at least one sufferer from the riot lies almost at death's door and others have received severe injuries. Pc Henry Proudley has remained in a very critical state and there is unfortunately room for very grave doubts as to the result. He is under the skilful treatment of Dr Ashworth. His injury is at the back of the head but has very slight external appearances. Several townsmen kept to their beds for some days but all are now in a fair way of recovery."

There was a second serious occurrence the following year when riotous behaviour and vandalism broke out on Guy Fawkes' Day, Monday 5th November 1877, but the police anticipated that trouble was brewing and took the precaution of swearing in 56 young men as special constables before the town's magistrates the previous week when the chairman of the bench, Lord Aveland, expressed the hope that all respectable inhabitants would co-operate with the police in preserving order and warned that offenders would be severely dealt with. The disturbances were not as bad as expected and were soon brought under control. Nevertheless, fireworks were thrown about the streets and Market Place, lighted tar barrels rolled around the town and a fire lit in South Street from where the sparks blew into a nearby paddock and set light to a straw stack which was burned out. There was some stone throwing from the assembled crowd and a window in the police station in North Street was broken but no injuries were reported.

The following week, Wednesday 14th November, 40 men and youths appeared before a special sitting of the magistrates in the Town Hall, 20 of them on charges related to the disturbances in Bourne and the other 20 in connection with similar mayhem in the surrounding villages, notably Corby Glen, Thurlby, Morton, Baston and Market Deeping. All of the accused pleaded guilty, the main charges relating to the rolling of lighted tar barrels down the street and of starting bonfires on the highway. Other offences included assaulting the police, firing guns, discharging fireworks in a public place and causing a general commotion to the annoyance of the public.

One of the defendants was also accused of assaulting Mr Edis Smith, landlord of the Crown Inn at Thurlby, who appeared in court to give evidence with his head still in bandages. All of the accused expressed regret for their conduct and promised not to offend again but all were punished, mainly fines of five and ten shillings with costs, although the penalties for the Bourne defendants were much heavier, with fines of up to £5 plus costs [£1 then would be worth almost £50 by today's values] and one man, a soldier on leave from his regiment and thought to be one of the ringleaders, was committed to prison for 21 days while another who had assaulted a constable was sentenced to one month's hard labour. Some of the accused could not pay their fines and were subsequently sent to the House of Correction at Folkingham for either 14 or 21 days. The accused were:

Bourne: Edward Handley, Frederick Osgothorpe, F G Palmer, Joseph Kettle, William Lunn, George Parker (aged 17), Arthur Searson, William Selby, George Parker (aged 25), George Empsall, Matthew Mitchelson, Thomas Starkie, Edward Clark, James Bywaters, Robert Robinson, Joseph Hall, George Parker (soldier), George Mason (Eastgate), William Gibson and John Hinson. 
Baston: John Cole. 
Corby Glen: Herbert Easter, William Tewson, John Parker, Frederick Stevenett, William Greenberry, Anthony Clark, John Osborn, Thomas Gilbert, John Brown, Charles Hannam (publican) and Thomas Porter. 
Market Deeping: Henry Bryan. 
Morton: John Henry Creasey, Edward Hall, Joseph Casterton and Robert Rodgers. 
Thurlby: William Green, William Bullimore and John Andrews (mason).

Among those who were deeply concerned about this turn of events was Superintendent Willerton Brown who had just been appointed head of the police force in Bourne. He was determined to put an end to this annual unruly conduct which was causing so much distress to law abiding citizens. His position was one of authority and respect in those days when police strength in the town was one superintendent, an inspector, two sergeants and 15 constables, and he also had the support of the magistrates. The riots of 1877 gave him an added determination and he directed his endeavours to stopping such practices in the future. His hard line policy paid off the following year when he drafted in reinforcements from other police stations and the Stamford Mercury reported on Friday 8th November 1878: "The town was quiet on Tuesday (Guy Fawkes' Day), when sixty policemen were on duty around the Market Place as it was thought there would be a repetition of the disturbances of previous years but their services were not required."

And again on Friday 12th November 1880: Guy Fawkes' Day passed off very quietly in Bourne this year, there being no more people in the streets than on ordinary nights."

Superintendent Brown therefore succeeded in bringing the tar barrel tradition in Bourne to an end, much to the relief of the residents and shopkeepers, and although there were sporadic outbreaks in later years, the occasions never reached the alarming levels of earlier years.

REVISED JUNE 2014

See also

The Red Hall and the Gunpowder Plot