The civic dinner and ball

Councillor and Mrs Ted Kelby with the local M P, Mr Kenneth Lewis
and his wife (centre), at the first civic ball in 1969.

The civic dinner and ball at the Corn Exchange is an annual occasion that gives the mayor a chance to thank those who have been of assistance during their year in office. In the past, it has been a civic ball but in 2007, the format was changed and instead of dancing after dinner, there was an hour or so of entertainment by budding musicians.

The event has now been held for almost 40 years, having been established by the chairman of the former Bourne Urban District Council, Ted Kelby, who wanted it to become the main occasion in the town’s social calendar. The idea, however, originated a year before when Councillor Jack Burchnell was chairman for 1967-68 and at the end of his year in office, he arranged what he called a civic function to which all organisations in the town were invited, including commercial, business and industrial undertakings The following year, the event was put on an official footing by his successor when Councillor Kelby organised the first civic ball at the Corn Exchange in 1969 after a busy year in office when he and his wife Dot had been attending functions at the rate of almost two a week.

He enrolled officers from the council to assist with the arrangements and the ball on Friday 14th March was a resounding success with 200 guests, headed by the local MP Mr (later Sir) Kenneth Lewis, and Councillor Harold Scarborough, chairman of South Kesteven Rural Council. A young girl was on hand with a tray full of red carnations, handing one out to each lady as she entered the room. “This is the first ever civic ball”, he said in his speech, “and with your help this function will not only be successful but will also remain so in the future.” 

Bourne Urban District Council ceased to function on 12th March 1974 under local government reorganisation and its duties and responsibilities were handed over to South Kesteven District Council and the newly formed parish council which, because of its historic status, was given the status of a town council with a town mayor. Bourne Town Council also took over the old coat of arms and successive mayors have observed the tradition of the civic ball every year since.

Ted, a former postman now aged 80 and living in retirement at his home in St Paul’s Gardens, remembered the grand occasion this week and is proud to have been the inspiration for this social tradition. He served as a councillor for 15 years and his election as chairman for the year 1968-69 was the highpoint of his career in public life. “We enjoyed our term in office”, he said, “and were fortunate in being able to accept all of the invitations that came in and these totalled 86. The civic ball was intended as a personal thank you to them and it is most gratifying that it has continued.”

REVISED AUGUST 2008