Stop! There’s lots to see in Bourne

Glynis Fox visits the South Kesteven town which gave us notable names in motorsport and fashion history, and which offers a wealth of modern amenities.

Many people will drive along Bourne’s North Street en route to other destinations because, once you reach the centre of town, it’s quite easy to turn off towards Spalding, Peterborough or Stamford. However, there are plenty of good reasons to stop. Park up, enjoy a coffee break and explore Bourne’s historic treasures, unique features and mix of shopping.

Bourne has a distinguished history thanks to its strong connections to motorsport, as the place where international racing driver and designer Raymond Mays established English Racing Automobiles (ERA) and British Racing Motors (BRM). The town also has strong links to Pilbeam Racing Designs.

Raymond Mays was born in 1899 in Eastgate House, which is at the north end of Eastgate and he died there in 1980, aged 80.

This summer, in its hometown, BRM celebrated 75 years since making its racing debut. A special exhibition in June marked the team’s first competitive appearance at the 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

A display of iconic BRM race cars were proudly parked up in front of the town’s Corn Exchange, which presented a range of archival photos and mechanical blueprints. Visitors could also enjoy period footage, which was shown on a large screen in the venue.

Anyone interested in knowing more about Raymond Mays and BRM, will find a complete floor dedicated to him within the town’s Heritage Centre in Baldocks Mill in South Street. There is also a memorial to him standing a few yards away from the centre.

DISTINGUISHED NAMES AND HISTORY
Bourne is also the place where the prominent statesperson William Cecil and fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth were born. These distinguished figures are also remembered in displays in the Heritage Centre. A special gallery dedicated to Worth highlights the fashion designer’s life and achievements.

As the first Lord Burghley, William Cecil is included in historical information at the centre as well as being remembered by a plaque at the town’s Burghley Arms.

The Heritage Centre is open at weekends, but it is wise to check if you are travelling some distance especially to visit this museum.

Bourne Abbey Church, in Church Street, sits alongside Bourne Eau and Bourne Eau House, with the attractive memorial gardens nearby and this is another landmark well worth a closer look. Thought to date back to 1138, it is open to the public every day. As well as offering lovely architecture, it is a wonderful place to take time out for quiet reflection.

If you love visiting impressive properties with a wealth of history, you’ll be interested to know that Grimsthorpe Castle – where the popular television drama Bridgerton was filmed – is just over four miles away from Bourne. Grimsthorpe boasts an expansive estate, with its house, gardens and parkland spanning 3,000 acres and it hosts lots of outdoor events.

GET ACTIVE
If you and your family are looking to get out in the fresh air, there are plenty of other areas around Bourne that will appeal to you.

They include Bourne Woods, Temple Wood (close to Kirkby Underwood village), Baston Fen – a wetland nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – and Thurlby Fen Slipe, with its old, flooded pits, reedbeds and grasslands. Don’t forget to look out for dragonflies and birds!

There are also lots of local options for families living in the area who are keen to keep fit. Bourne Leisure Centre is in the town’s Queens Road. It is equipped with a large leisure pool with a wave machine, slide, water jet, plus a 25-metre area for fitness swimming. There is also a large sports hall and fully equipped gym.

You can sign up for fitness classes at the centre or look out for other activities offered by other organisations and clubs in the town.

LOTS ON OFFER FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS
Families will also be delighted to know that Bourne offers good options on the educational front, with its schools having received positive Ofsted ratings. These include Bourne Grammar, Bourne Academy, Elsea Park C of E Primary Academy, Bourne Abbey C of E Primary Academy, Westfield Primary Academy and Edenham C of E School.

The Willoughby Academy is a specialist school which caters for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Actually, it can be a surprise to discover how much Bourne offers its residents and visitors, which includes plenty of shopping, events, organisations and clubs where people can meet, make new friends and get involved in a range of activities.

On the shopping front, town businesses offer a wide range of goods and services and there are also many major employers based on the outskirts of town.

Streets in the centre of town are home to everything from branches of the multi-nationals to a range of small businesses, such as family-run North Shoes, the long-standing hardware store Harrison & Dunn, Bourne Books, estate agents, travel specialists, clothing shops and even a pub, aptly named The Raymond Mays!

Angel Precinct, which runs into Crown Walk, lies off North Street and is filled with yet more interesting independents. These include the clothing and accessories boutique Buckle & Bows, floral specialist Stephanies Flowers & Gift, a dog groomer, a selection of coffee shops and more.

Bourne residents are also well catered for when it comes to the mainstream supermarkets, which can be found in different areas in and on the edge of town.

The Burghley Centre is accessible from both North Street and the Burghley Centre Car Park, which also serves the town’s Marks & Spencer Food Hall. This mall is always worth a closer look because its tenants may have changed if you haven’t been for a while.

Resident businesses include Specsavers, Paint A Pot – which moved there from a smaller unit from Wherry’s Lane – a busy barber, a health food store, a range of charity shops and the local branch of a national popular coffee chain, which is always buzzing.

If you’ve ever wondered where everyone works, there are more than 60 companies on the town’s Cherry Holt Road trading estate, including Bakkavor and the Delaine Bus Company on Spalding Road. There is also a small industrial estate on Pinfold Road. Warners Midlands and Warners Group Publishing are in Manor Lane.

Anyone keen to find the latest events in the area should check out what might be coming up at Bourne Town Hall or the town’s Corn Exchange.

In August, Bourne will host the Rewired Festival at Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday 16th – an event packed with tribute acts to popular bands, including Oasis, ABBA and Queen.

Grimsthorpe’s Outdoor Cinema is also screening three unmissable events at the end of the month: 29th August – Grease Sing-A-Long; 30th August – Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration and 31st August – Bridget Jones’ Diary: Find out more at: www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/grimsthorpe-castle

HAVE FUN, GET CREATIVE!
Paint a Pot Place, a friendly family-run studio in Bourne, is marking a decade of providing pottery, painting and creative experiences where visitors enjoy making their own unique pieces of ceramic artwork.

The studio, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer, offers sessions of pottery painting for all ages, welcoming couples, families and other groups, making it the perfect venue for hen parties, birthday celebrations and special events.

Whether you’re looking to preserve your little one’s footprints in clay or create a unique gift for a friend, Paint a Pot Place offers wheel sessions at £45 per person. The price includes coming back to decorate your creation.

Paint a Pot Place also hosts pottery workshops, with special prosecco evenings, as well as clay workshops. Booking is recommended.

Everything you need is provided, including paints, aprons and sponges: just come along and have fun!

For more information contact call 01778 420409 or find on Facebook/paintapot.place

A FARM EXPERIENCE FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Situated between the market towns of Bourne and Stamford, this family-run traditional mixed farm with a focus on high welfare farm assured beef, pork and lamb is also home to the Bowthorpe Oak, the UK’s largest girthed oak tree.

There is also a farm shop, butchers and delicatessen, with home-reared Lincoln Red beef, traditional pork and lamb for sale, as well as local fruit, vegetables, bread, milk, yoghurts, beer, wine, takeaway coffee and so much more.

There is a farm park with picnic area where you can view some of the farm animals and the magnificent Bowthorpe Oak. The farm also opens up for events throughout the year, with lambing at Easter, a summer solstice music festival and Pumpkin picking. You can also hire the grounds for your own wedding or event.

Bowthorpe Park Farm is open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

Entry: Adult (18+) £2.50, Child (3-18) £2.50 and children aged 2 and under free. more information visit
www.bowthorpeparkfarm.co.uk

NEW COUNSELLING PRACTICE OPENS
A new independent counselling and psychotherapy practice is launching in Bourne this month. Bloom & Grow, founded by local counsellor and psychotherapist Zoe Hodson, offers a calm, confidential space for young people aged 11+ and adults. With over 10 years’ experience working with schools, residential homes and charities, Zoe understands the challenges many face and the importance of having a safe, non-judgemental space to talk. She says: “I want to offer a space where young people and adults can take time for themselves, explore what’s on their minds, and find a way forward.”

Zoe works from a Humanistic and Integrative perspective, using talking therapy alongside creative methods such as art and music where helpful. Bloom & Grow offers in-person sessions in Bourne (including walking sessions in Bourne woods) and online sessions across the UK.

Visit www.bloomandgrowcounselling.com for more information

Photographs: Mick Fox

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