This week’s blog post brings an update on our heritage research project, a pilot event feeding into our application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. As we approach the end of the month, we’ll be conducting a thorough evaluation of our progress to help shape the future of the regeneration project.
The best news is that we have uncovered the most enthusiastic, interested set of volunteers! The sessions we’ve held so far have been inspiring, fuelled by the wealth of knowledge and experience within our community, including an eagerness to help the Old Town Hall uncover its historical roots.
Our research began with the names of donors and subscribers etched on the wooden board in the upstairs courtroom. These benevolent individuals who contributed to the town’s welfare through their early crowdfunding initiative, pique our curiosity. What were their professions? Did they have hidden motivations behind their generosity?
From our investigations, a tapestry of stories has emerged. We’ve unearthed tales of local clergy, pillars of the community, good people with unassuming natures; court employees striving for a better workplace; turnpike trust board members eager to expand their road networks; a landowner’s wife running a finishing school for girls; a couple of solicitors, one of whom fathered a famous son. The social elite of the time left their mark, and we’ve even identified several living descendants of these original subscribers.
As we delve deeper, we’re encountering broader, more significant issues of the era, revealing that even rural Bourne (or Bourn, as it was known until 1893) wasn’t isolated from national concerns. Through this project, we are piecing together a vivid picture of nineteenth-century life in the town.
The enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers have been the driving force behind our discoveries. Their passion for local history is bringing the past to light in ways we hadn’t anticipated. Together, we are not only uncovering the stories of those who shaped our town but also hoping to connect with their descendants, ensuring that the legacy of Bourne’s heritage continues to inspire future generations.
As we move forward, we are excited to see how these insights will inform our broader heritage project and enrich our application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this fascinating journey through time and community.
If you think you may be connected with any of our original subscribers, then get in touch!
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