Dr Michael McGregor 1933 -

One man who has devoted more than his fair share of time and energy to this town is Dr Michael McGregor who has served the community for over forty years, first as a general practitioner and then as a local historian. He has published two books and the profits from both are being contributed towards the Heritage Centre at Baldock's Mill in which he is keenly interested. 

The first, Raymond Mays of Bourne, was compiled in 1994 and is now in its second edition. It comprises over 100 early photographs illustrating the career of the pioneer of British motor racing who brought prestige to Bourne and took this country to the forefront of international competition on the track. The photographs were found in a trunk in the attic of Eastgate House, the family home, after Raymond Mays died in 1980 and over 1,700 copies of the book have been sold raising more than £10,000 for the Heritage Centre where a room has been devoted to his life's work as a leading racing motorist and inspiration behind the world famous BRM, the first all-British car to win the world championship in 1962. 

His second publication is a book of old photographs that reflect the changing face of Bourne over the past century and give a glimpse of life as it was. Historic Pictures of Bourne, Lincolnshire took a year to compile, although its gestation was far longer because collecting these images was a part-time preoccupation for almost three decades. The result is a book that takes us back to the early days of photography and his dedication to the task of recording these images for posterity is such that he financed the printing of it himself. 

Dr McGregor is a Yorkshireman, born in Leeds on 20th September 1933 and was educated at St Olave's School and Bootham School, York, before studying medicine at Leeds University. He graduated in 1957 and two years later was called up for National Service which he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps as a medical officer attached to the Royal Signals Depot at Catterick Camp in Yorkshire where he attained the rank of captain. At the end of his compulsory two years in the army, he returned to civilian life and entered general practice and this brought him to Bourne in 1961. 

He joined the Brook Lodge practice then run by Dr George Holloway, a step-brother of the actor, the late Stanley Holloway, from the former 18th century vicarage in South Street, now converted into flats. In those days, the waiting room was a tiny lean-to at the rear of the building and the surgery hours were listed on a notice by the door over a message box where medicines and prescriptions were put out for collection. The practice moved to St Gilbert's Road in 1971 where Dr McGregor worked until retirement in October 1993, and it later transferred to the new Hereward Group Practice clinic in Exeter Street which he officially opened in 1998. 

Photography and local history however, continue to occupy much of his time, a hobby that began soon after moving to Bourne. By the mid 1970s he had learned to copy postcards and other photographs from the past and soon he was showing slides of his work to local groups with a commentary on how times had changed. Those who attended his lectures, together with friends and patients, loaned him more old photographs to copy and soon he had a sizeable collection and a book became inevitable in order that the wealth of material could be enjoyed by a wider audience and his second book was the result and has a greater local appeal than his work on Raymond Mays, although that publication has sold world wide. 

It contains more than 250 photographs showing how Bourne has evolved since the mid-19th century, its people at work and at play, the street scenes of past decades, celebrations and disasters, buildings that have long ago been demolished, the development of business and industry, trades that have disappeared, and a look at some of the characters who made their home here. This book is of particular interest to those who have lived in Bourne for many years because they will be able to relate to the pictures, which depict the town as it was in their younger days. Dr McGregor says: "It has been my philosophy that these pictures are not my collection. It has always been my aim to share them with everyone and this book will enable me to do that." This objective has been achieved and the book reflects the enthusiasm and dedication of its compiler and brings untold delight to those people who know Bourne well and take the time to dip into its pages. 

He and his wife Margaret lived in North Road, Bourne, until he retired when they moved to a bungalow in Maple Gardens and both continue to lead a busy life of community work. Dr McGregor is connected with many local organisations, the Bourne United Charities, the Civic Society of which he has been honoured with life membership, Probus Club and Twinning Association and he is also a governor of Bourne Grammar School and even a reserve driver for the Butterfield Day Care Centre and WRVS Meals on Wheels service and gives frequent lectures about Bourne in past times, the proceeds going to various charities. His wife, a former hospital night sister, is a stalwart of the girl guide movement and has held several senior posts including Division Commissioner and Anglia Region Camp Consultant but still finds time to fulfil her duties as local organiser for the WRVS and governor of Westfield Primary School.

Their two sons were educated at the Abbey Road Primary School and then Stamford School but John died in 1985 at the age of 21 after contracting leukaemia while studying at Southampton University. The eldest, Andrew, read music at the University of Surrey and currently works as a presenter with the BBC Radio 3. 

Since John's death, Michael and Margaret McGregor have become redoubtable supporters of the Leukaemia Research Fund and their coffee morning and sale at the Corn Exchange has since been an annual event, the biggest charity occasion of its kind in the town.

The event is staged with the help of sixty or more volunteers who are recruited to run the stalls and serve coffee and mince pies to visitors who crowd in looking for bargains in aid of this very worthy cause. During the 27th annual event on Thursday 26th November 2009, the couple were honoured by the society with the presentation of a special certificate and badge, their highest award for fund-raising, while the event on Thursday 28th November 2013 marked the 30th year it had been held and raised £4,000 bringing the total to more than £80,000 and so making it the biggest source of income for the fund's Bourne branch.

Then on Thursday 26th November 2015, the total passed the £100,000 mark with yet another highly successful sale at the Corn Exchange. "It has been very hard work but all very rewarding for such a good cause", said Michael.

Dr McGregor has found Bourne an attractive and friendly town, especially the central area around the Wellhead Gardens and the Abbey Lawn, either side of the Abbey Church, but he is under no illusions about what the future may hold. "Sadly the small shops are under threat from the supermarkets and sometimes we fear that there are so many vehicles in the town centre that traffic will one day grind to a halt", he said. "However, one rarely needs to go out of Bourne to shop and there are many sports and other facilities while the climate here must be one of the kindest in the kingdom."

REVISED JANUARY 2016

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