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North Street, BOURNE, PE10 9EA

One of the oldest public houses in Bourne is the Burghley Arms in the town centre, formerly the market place. The building was originally a private residence before becoming a coaching inn known as the Bull, a name which persisted until 1955 when it was changed to the Burghley Arms in honour of the illustrious Elizabethan statesman William Cecil, trusted adviser to Queen Elizabeth I and the first Lord Burghley, who was born there in 1520 and a plaque on the front wall records this event.

The Town Hall at Bourne has been the centre of administration in Bourne since it was erected mainly by public subscription in 1821, an imposing building of Portland stone with a façade of twin Doric columns and an outside staircase to the upper floors. But in March 2013, all services at town, district and county level were moved to a new Community Access Point established at the Corn Exchange as part of a cost-cutting measure and the Grade II listed building now stands empty and disused, its future uncertain. See inside the Town Hall Image

The Town Hall at Bourne was built in 1821 as the centre for local affairs and the dispensation of justice through the petty and quarter sessions, a role which continued until court sittings were phased out in April 2008. South Kesteven District Council had offices there and Bourne Town Council continued to meet there until March 2013 when all council services were transferred to a new Community Access Point established at the Corn Exchange. The future of the Grade II listed building now remains uncertain and although Lincolnshire County Council claims ownership, it is unable to proceed with declared plans to sell the building because it was originally financed by public subscription and therefore ownership is vested in the people.

The early 19th century Town Hall at Bourne has become the focal point of the annual Christmas celebrations and from where the town centre illuminations are switched on during a day-long event of stalls and street entertainment to coincide with the start of seasonal shopping. There have been several sets of lights installed on the building over the years and these were purchased by the town council for Christmas 2012.

The Town Hall clock which was installed during the 19th century stopped working in March 2012 after the hands were damaged, either by a bird strike or perhaps by something being thrown at the dial, and scaffolding was erected to enable the contractors carry out repairs at a cost of £2,300.

The former market arches under the town hall, later offices for the county council, are going to become a sort of exhibition space if plans go through

The building on the right is the former town hall, currently unused but probably fated to be sold. The passage way leads from the old market place in the crossroads (ahead) to the current market place (behind)

Competition is fierce but Bourne is undaunted when the judges arrive to take a look at what the town looks like in summer before making their decision in the East Midlands in Bloom competition. There is always a flurry of activity in a bid to put on a colourful floral display with many volunteers, including schoolchildren, turning out for a spell of litter picking to ensure that the streets are clean when they come under scrutiny. Here in the town centre, hanging baskets and tubs provide a bright and attractive setting for our old buildings such as the Burghley Arms and after so much hard work, those involved wait expectantly to hear whether their efforts have been rewarded when the results are announced later in the year.

An unsightly storage container has been parked against the back wall of the Grade II listed Town Hall since March 2012 when work began on establishing a new Community Access Point at the nearby Corn Exchange. The stall is used to store the stalls and canopies for the Thursday and Saturday markets, formerly kept in a storeroom at the Corn Exchange which disappeared as part of the conversion when alternative accommodation appears to have been overlooked by planners and so the town has been left with this makeshift alternative on the very edge of the Conservation Area. See also Image

The former market arches under the town hall, later offices for the county council, are going to become a sort of exhibition space if plans go through