Inside The Activity Plan

The regeneration of Bourne’s Old Town Hall continues to gather momentum, and one of the busiest parts of the project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is the Activity Plan which is all about connecting people across our community through heritage and the arts.

For more than a year, through our Town Hall Histories programme, our volunteer research team has been digging into the lives of the original 122 donors who helped establish the building back in 1821. They’ve also been exploring nearly two centuries of court cases once heard within its walls. It is already revealing a rich mix of local characters, social history, and unexpected stories that deserve to be shared.

You can read some of the stories on our website, listen to Amos Gilbert's story on the BBC's Secret Lincolnshire podcast or check out the history pages of the Discovering Bourne magazine for July, August and September 2026.

As the project progresses, all completed research will be made publicly available, free for anyone to explore. Whether you’re a local history enthusiast or simply curious about the people who shaped Bourne, there will be plenty to discover.

Alongside the research, a brand‑new Community Play is taking shape. A team of volunteer scriptwriters is currently developing individual sections of the intriguing story which is set in Bourne with a cast of characters linked to the town hall building; these will be woven together by local playwright Kei Bailey. The aim is to bring Bourne’s heritage to life in a way that’s creative, enjoyable, and genuinely community‑led.

A Creative Writing Workshop run by Kei Bailey

We’re working towards a summer 2027 performance in the re-opened Old Town Hall building and as we get closer, there will be lots of opportunities to get involved. We’ll be looking for actors, costume makers, set builders, filmmakers, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a production (on stage or behind the scenes), this will be your moment.

Updates, opportunities, and calls for volunteers will be shared on our website and social media channels. Keep an eye out, there’s much more to come, and we’d love the community to be part of every step.