Bourne Literary Society

The Victorian age was one of self-improvement and organisations sprang up throughout the country for those seeking knowledge of artistic and intellectual matters. Institutes and reading rooms for the working man were established in most towns and many also had a literary society where like-minded citizens could gather regularly to exchange ideas and participate in conversation that would enhance their knowledge of the world.

The Bourne Literary Society was formed in 1869, mainly through the efforts of the Rev Samuel Chisholm, pastor of the Independent Chapel in Eastgate [now the United Reformed Church], and within three years it had fifty members and a modest library at their meeting place in the chapel’s schoolroom.

Many of the town’s leading citizens were members including the vicar, the Rev Joseph Dodsworth, businessmen, farmers and landowners, and the society also enjoyed a convivial social life. On Tuesday 18th March 1873, sixty members and friends celebrated the end of their winter session and the departure of Mr Chisholm with a knife and fork tea at the schoolroom followed by entertainment consisting of readings, recitations and vocal and instrumental music. The Stamford Mercury later reported:

Mr J B Roberts was chairman and he asked the secretary, Mr Pick, to read the report, this being the closing entertainment for the season. It appeared that a very nice library had already been raised and that the society was steadily progressing. Mr George Bettinson, of Dyke, then addressed the audience, stating the pleasure it afford him to inform the ladies and gentlemen present that he had been deputed by the members of the society to make a presentation of a handsome medicine cabinet to their esteemed pastor who had presided over the society from its commencement, and he desired to give expression to the kindly feeling and good wishes which would accompany their friend in the new sphere of labour in which he was about to be engaged. Mr Chisholm, who had been appointed pastor in 1869, was leaving for a new post in Spalding, and he heartily thanked his friends for their kindness. He would not be far from them and would be glad to render any assistance to the society that might be in his power.

A new feature of the society’s activities was also introduced in 1873 with a public exhibition of interesting items owned by the various members, described as “a very respectable little museum”. They included oil paintings and rare books, and many curiosities from various countries such as Abyssinia, China, Italy and India, that were exhibited in the Corn Exchange. Also on display were 17 silver cups that had been won at various ploughing matches by Mr Henry Goodyear, a farmer, of Cawthorpe, near Bourne, and five silver cups belonging to William Hall, a cabinet maker, of South Street, which he had obtained as prizes for shooting while serving with the town’s volunteers. Other interesting items were loaned by the vicar, the Rev Joseph Dodsworth, Robert Mason Mills, a well known antiquarian and founder of the town’s aerated water business, William Parker, of Hanthorpe House and the Rev William Orton, minister of the Baptist Church in West Street.

Entertainment with vocal and instrumental music was provided during the event which was so well patronised that it was decided to repeat it the following year when a two-day public exhibition was also staged at the Corn Exchange. The Stamford Mercury reported on Friday 20th March 1874:

The event on Monday last was a decided success. Hundreds of people, both from the town and the surrounding villages, crowded in until in some parts of the hall there was hardly room to move. On Tuesday, the Baroness Willoughby De Eresby, accompanied by two of Lord Aveland's children, drove down from Grimsthorpe, spent some time in examining the various objects of interest, and expressed herself much pleased with the visit. All the visitors were agreeably surprised to see a collection of pictures and valuable effects which far exceeded their anticipation, Flowers and music added their charms. Great credit is due to the members of the Bourne Literary Society with whom the idea originated, and who carried out all the arrangements, for the taste and care displayed in every department. An important feature was the refreshment stalls which were very temptingly set out by Mrs T Mays and Mrs Hobson. The proceeds on Monday and Tuesday amounted up upwards of £21.

Visiting speakers were also engaged to speak on subjects of topical interest or merely to entertain. On Thursday 11th December 1873, for instance, "the popular and clever lecturer", John De Kewer Williams, of London, addressed members at a meeting in the Corn Exchange and was given an enthusiastic reception.

The society continued in existence until the opening of the Bourne Institute in 1896 when its activities were combined with those of the new organisation.

See also     The Bourne Institute     Robert Mason Mills