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ARABLE FARMING has always been one of the mainstays of the local economy in Bourne and cereal production has played an important part.
Wherry's grain warehouse in South Street, pictured above, was built during the middle of the 19th century to handle the wheat, barley and oats grown by local farmers who delivered their yield by horse and cart which waited outside while the sacks were hauled up by gantry.
Older inhabitants of Bourne have fond memories of some of the horses used in this exercise, particularly a white Shire owned by the proprietors which was regarded with some public affection.
The building has recently been sold and work has begun in converting it into
flats, the first six being completed in the main building although the project
was halted during 2009 because of the economic crisis.
The corn trade during the 18th and 19th centuries resulted in the construction of many wholesale warehouses around the town and although most have been demolished, some survive and have been converted for modern commercial purposes. A four-storey grain warehouse overlooking the car park in Burghley Street, pictured above, has been used for storage and distribution by Nursery Supplies (Bourne) Ltd but the company has now closed down and the building is standing empty and its future is in doubt although some maintenance work has recently been carried out. In Eastgate, a similar warehouse on the banks of the Bourne Eau, pictured above, is used for car auction sales and other enterprises. All of these buildings are reminders of an age long gone and cling to their survival only through their current usefulness but in each case their days may be numbered as the search for suitable sites by developers continues. Return to HOME PAGE MAIN INDEX
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