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INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
by Betty James
IT IS ALWAYS lovely to see a new face at Bourne
Abbey, especially when he is tall, dark and handsome. However, to
many people at the 10 am Sunday Communion Service, and indeed to the
majority of people who have lived in Bourne for any length of time,
Jonathan Smith is a household name.
In actual fact, Jonathan worshipped at the Abbey from 1972-1990,
both as a member of the choir and for the last few years as
churchwarden.
Regrettably, due to work commitments, he had to relinquish both
these positions.
Over the past few years, Jonathan has worshipped at other churches
in Bourne but eventually he came to the conclusion that the Abbey
was where he really belongs. So, welcome back Jonathan.
Probably many of our readers will be thinking "Who is this Jonathan
Smith?" Well, if you are sitting comfortably, then I will begin. In
October 1959, Jonathan was born in Stamford Hospital, his proud
parents being Harold Smith. a loyal employee of BRM (British Racing
Motorists) and Joy Smith, a real homemaker in the true sense of the
word. A very brave lady, who, at the age of seven, was struck down
by diphtheria, was confined to a wheelchair but eventually taught
herself to walk again.
When Jonathan was 18 months old, the little family moved from their
home in Abbey Road to Dyke, where eventually, Master Smith was a
pupil at Dyke village school. When he was around eight years of age,
the Smiths moved back to Bourne, to North Road, but so as not to
disrupt Jonathan's education, he continued at Dyke village school
until the time that he moved to the Robert Manning Technology
College as it is known now.
At the age of 16, Jonathan prepared himself for working in the real
world by taking an OND in business studies at Stamford College, this
resulting in him obtaining a position at BDR, Corn Merchants, North
Street, Bourne.
One thing then led to another, and to cut a long story short,
Jonathan was offered a most interesting job at the Lincolnshire
Free Press, and in 1994, this eventually lead him to the role of
editor of our local newspaper, known at that time as the Bourne
Local. Being born and bred in Bourne, he knew everything and
everybody in this little town of ours. Without doubt, for over ten
years Jonathan was the ideal person for such an important position.
As in all walks of life, things change, companies get taken over,
and for Jonathan, things didn't go exactly according to plan, but
the main thing is that he is happy and contented in his new position
within the newspaper industry.
How does Jonathan relax in his spare time? His interests are many
and varied. Understandably, with his father working for BRM, he
still loves anything to do with motor racing. With a wistful look,
he recalled: "I was mad about Pedro Redriguez. He really was my
hero."
"What else then, Jonathan?" I inquired. He gave a cheeky grin and
replied "Well, I'm a fanatical bottle collector, in fact I've got
300, but 52 of them are on display in Baldocks Mill (South Street).
They stem back from the day when the watercress beds in Bourne
produced first class water, known the world over."
Jonathan spends lots of his free time in surfing the net and
researching his family tree. "I'm really thrilled as 1 have managed
to go back to 1770 on my father's side," he proudly told me.
As a young child, Jonathan loved his pet rabbits and tortoise but
had no interest in cats whatsoever. However, all that was to alter
when he met Pat Thompson and Cynthia Graham (both prime movers in
Bourne Animal Welfare), who persuaded Jonathan to look after Smokey
and Polly. That was it, he was hooked. Having adopted seven rescue
cats (Lewis, Cassie, Wingate, Jasper, Max, Abbey and Topsy), it is
hard to believe that he also fosters Ben, Phoebe, Pearl, Snowie,
Charlie, Molly, Sadie & Sophie. All in all 15 cats.
I inquired: "Jonathan, they don't sleep in your room, do they?" His
reply was: "No, only the seven rescue cats. Wingate and Jasper do
tend to chat to each other during the night, but it doesn't really
bother me." Lastly I asked Jonathan's views about Bourne in the
present day. His speedy reply came from the heart: "Well, it's not
really good news, is it? Too much housing development and it isn't
as if all the newcomers shop in Bourne. As for this town development
business, well, I fear that it may take the heart out of the town.
There are so many implications to think about."
Lastly, I queried: "What about moving away from Bourne, Jonathan?"
His reply was immediate and emphatic. "Oh, no, Bourne is my home.
Someone asked me the other day if I had lived here all my life and my
reply was 'No, not yet!'"
On a personal note, 1 would just like to say that during my ten
years of writing the Town Talk column for the Bourne Local,
Jonathan was a fantastic editor, very methodical, very patient and
always very helpful. Indeed a joy to work with.
Fingers crossed, we shall see you back in the choir soon, Jonathan.
By the way, Jonathan has been working on updating his original Walk
around the Abbey leaflet. Take a look sometime.
Reproduced from the Abbey Church
parish magazine - June 2007 |
