Arthur Saul

1856-1920

For over 30 years, Arthur Saul worked as an auctioneer and valuer in Bourne and also participated in many aspects of public life.

He moved to the town as a young man in 1880 to join the firm of Mr Henry Lawrence, auctioneer, valuer and land agent, with offices in South Street, eventually taking over the business which he ran until retirement in 1918 during which time he attained distinction and prominence in his profession and enjoying the full confidence of his clients.

Apart from his work, Mr Saul took an active interest in the Butterfield Hospital from the time it opened in 1910 and apart from being one of its most generous subscribers, he served on the committee for several years and was later appointed a trustee, a post he held until his death. He was also a director of the Bourne Gas, Light and Coke Company, the firm which provided gas lighting and heating for the town, acting as their official valuer when it was taken over by Bourne Urban District Council in 1915. Other directorships included those of the Bourne Waterworks Company and the Bourne Public Hall and Corn Exchange Company as well as being a leading member of the Association for the Prosecution of Felons, serving at one time as its chairman.

In addition to his main business as an auctioneer, Mr Saul also farmed at Dyke and Bourne Fen and when the Small Holdings Act was introduced, he was appointed agent to administer the land interests of Kesteven County Council. He was also a trustee of the Bourne North Fen and Dyke Fen Drainage Board and took a keen interest in various farming and drainage developments in those areas, also serving as one of the Black Sluice Commissioners.

During the Great War of 1914-18, he was a most liberal supporter and took a keen interest in the work of the Red Cross and when the control of cattle became necessary under the wartime rationing regulations, he became chairman of the local grading committee appointed to oversee its implementation. He was one of the prime movers in the formation of the Foal Show Society and the Fat Stock Show Society as well as serving for several years as chairman and trustee of the Bourne Cow Club and was a strong supporter of the Farmers' Union, serving for a period as chairman of the Bourne branch.

He also held the position of chairman of the Auctioneers and Valuers Association for the east Midlands district, which included Lincolnshire, and was appointed an official valuer under the Finance Act of 1910. He was a keen sportsman, taking an active interest in athletics, cricket and football, and was for many years chairman of the Conservative Club in Bourne although he took no large part in political activities.

Mr Saul, a bachelor, died on Monday 12th April 1920, aged 64, after a long and lingering illness, at his home in North Road which he shared with his sister. He was buried the following Friday in the town cemetery after a funeral service at the Abbey Church conducted by the vicar, Canon John Grinter. There were hundreds of mourners, both family and friends, who attended the church and the cemetery where the coffin, made of polished oak, was placed in a grave that had been decorated with ivy and laurel and surrounded by dozens of wreaths as a mark of respect to the man who had played such an important role in the life of the town.