Bourne United Charities

BOURNE UNITED CHARITIES administers fifteen individual charities dating back to the 17th century through endowments for the benefit of the poor of the town as well as land that has been left to the community. The largest single legacy is the Charity of Robert Harrington (1589-1654), a former Bourne resident who became a gentleman landowner and left land and property in the Leytonstone area of London producing an annual income to be used for the benefit and education of the poor. Total income from the various charities is considerable and currently exceeds £660,000 a year while the organisation has assets worth in excess of £12 million.

The government has taken over many such functions since the introduction of the welfare state in the mid-20th century but the trustees who administer the various funds still seek to maintain the traditional ideals of charity and compassion through the administration of almshouses and a warden's bungalow in West Street and the distribution of weekly pensions to the old and needy. They also make an annual grant that is shared by the schools in the town.

The trustees have bought land and buildings over the years that are used for the benefit of the town, their most notable achievement being the acquisition of the Red Hall in 1962 after it had been used as the stationmaster's house and ticket office for the town's railway station since the 19th century. The building is now used as offices while the reception room and kitchen are available for functions and as a meeting place for some local groups such as the history society, naturalists and other conservation organisations.

Other acquisitions include the Wellhead Gardens, consisting of 21 acres of land that was developed as parkland open to the public under the terms of a bequest from Alderman T W Atkinson who left property for this purpose, together with the Garden of Remembrance and War Memorial. The charities were also responsible for acquiring the outdoor swimming pool, now one of the town's most popular summer amenities and run by a voluntary trust, while the Abbey Lawn is set aside for sporting activities in perpetuity.

BUC also administer a plot of 13 gardening allotments at the corner of Meadow Drove and Spalding Road and several other restored buildings that are leased at nominal rents to youth organisations, including scouts, guides and other community activities. One of the largest of these is the early 19th century Baldock's Mill in South Street that is now leased to the Civic Society whose members have restored the building and turned it into a Heritage Centre and museum.

The trustees meet in private on the last Thursday of each month. Their meetings are not open to the press and public and they do not issue statements either about their deliberations, their activities, their finances, or how and when trustees are appointed. The Red Hall, now a Grade II listed building, was restored in 1972 for use as a community centre yet now remains largely closed to the public.