- The market town of Bourne, Lincolnshire, England -

The Darby & Joan Hall

ONE OF THE MORE modern public buildings in Bourne that is only just 50 years old is the Darby and Joan Hall that stands on the edge of the Wellhead Gardens off South Street. It was officially opened on Tuesday 12th July 1960 when the ceremony was performed by the Earl of Ancaster, accompanied by the Countess. 

The hall is now used for a variety of functions by the town's senior citizens and the upkeep is supplemented by hiring out the premises for other commercial purposes such as one-day sales.

In 2009, a major £70,000 programme of renovation for the deteriorating roof of the hall, the replacement of the windows and other associated work, was undertaken with grants from various sources and the work was completed by October. Club chairman, Mary Holmes, said: "Apart from the work of the roof, large amounts of money have been spent on the hall over the past few years, including the renewal of the kitchen and toilet facilities and now we have a hall that meets all of the requirements for the 21st century."
 

The bronze plaque on the wall at the entrance to the hall commemorates King George VI (1895-1952) and the fund in his memory that contributed £1,000 towards the building costs. The date on the stone tablet over the entrance  is incorrect because the hall was actually opened by the Earl of Ancaster in July 1960.

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