Norths of Bourne
FORAGE MERCHANTS BY APPOINTMENT

The popularity of cereal crops in Lincolnshire in past years resulted in many subsidiary commercial firms such as those dealing in hay and straw and one of the biggest engaged in this activity in Bourne was the family business of W A North and Son Limited operating from premises in West Street with a large depot behind their offices which were housed in converted 18th century cottages fronting the road.

This was one of the biggest companies in the area, supplying hay and straw to the Queen and the Prince of Wales at the royal mews in London and thus being awarded the Royal Warrant which was displayed a the entrance to the premises.

In 1965, it was recorded that they employed 15 people and ran six lorries and trailers delivering to all parts of Britain as well as the Channel Islands and the Continent and 20 ton loads 15 feet high and 58 feet long were normal practice

In 1968, fire seriously damaged their premises. The outbreak was spotted shortly before 2 am on Thursday 11th June by a patrolling policeman, Constable Ernest Lewis, who raised the alarm and alerted officers at the police station in North Street and in the police houses nearby. Residents in West Street were roused from their beds and told to stand by for evacuation but fire engines from Bourne and Corby Glen managed to bring the blaze under control in three hours but not before it had caused extensive damage running into thousands of pounds.

Four heavy lorries and three trailers were destroyed together with consignments of hay and straw and a large building of concrete and asbestos was gutted. Some of the trailers were hauled clear by firemen to reach the seat of the blaze. Company officials spent the following day arranging alternative transport and surprisingly, it was soon business as usual.

Photo courtesy Michael McGregor

There was a second big fire on the premises in September 1986 when a large Dutch barn and its contents were gutted (pictured above). Four years later, the firm sold the site and the cottages at the front which they used as offices are now owned by Bourne Antiques & Arts while the yard behind where the fire took place is occupied by the Hereward Group medical practice and an adjoining pharmacy.

See also Earthquake, fire and flood