The Mays family were prominent in Bourne throughout two centuries and produced not only Raymond Mays, the international motor racing driver and designer, but also several other members who made major contributions to the life of the town.

One of the less well known was George Henry Mays, born in 1859, the second son of Thomas William Mays (1822-1897), founder of the firm of fertiliser manufacturers and fellmongers, and his wife Sarah, sister of Sir George White, who was MP for Norwich. George had a lifelong association with the family business and at the time of his death, he was one of the principal directors of the company. He and his elder brother, Thomas William Mays, joined their father in partnership under the style of Messrs T W Mays and Sons, and during his time as a principal of the firm, the business was developed extensively.

George Mays became well known at every market in Lincolnshire and at the important fellmongering and wool centres. A colleague said at the time of his death: “His business association with both patrons and employees was of the most harmonious character and it would be difficult to find two principals, such as the deceased and his brother, who enjoyed such a friendly relationship with their employees.”

He took an active interest in the public and social life of the town, heading the poll for the first elections of parish councillors in the late 19th century and occupying a similar position at each succeeding parish council election. He also topped the voting at the first elections for seats on the newly-formed Bourne Urban District Council in 1889 and he retained this lead until the last contested election shortly before his death when the margin was reduced, but it was only by a few votes that he failed to maintain this unbroken record.

In 1897, he became chairman of the then parish council and subsequently occupied a similar position on Bourne UDC for 1902-3. In addition, he represented Bourne on Kesteven County Council for almost 20 years, sitting on the policy-making Standing Joint Committee, and in 1914, he was appointed a magistrate, sitting on the Bourne bench of justices. He also served as a trustee of Bourne United Charities for 20 years.

During the First World War of 1914-18, Mr Mays played a prominent part in the work of the Red Cross which set up a military hospital in the Vestry Hall for the care of soldiers wounded in the trenches, and he sat on the Urban Tribunal which heard cases from objectors to military service. He was also one of the government officials appointed to manage and control wool supplies from the area and was a member of the County Agricultural Committee.

Like his brother, Thomas William Mays, he was an enthusiastic motorist and one of the earliest members of the Lincolnshire Automobile Club, also serving on the committee. He was a keen sportsman and rider to hounds, following the Cottesmore and Belvoir Hunts, and in his younger days, played regularly for Bourne Cricket Club.

Among the many public offices he held during his lifetime were those of chairman of the Association for the Prosecution of Felons, director of the Bourne Public Hall Company [the Corn Exchange], a committee member of the Nursing Association at the Butterfield Hospital and a life member of Bourne Institute in West Street [now the Pyramid Club]. A Liberal in politics, Mr Mays took an active role in the establishment of a Liberal Club in the town and was for several years its president. He was also a religious man, a member of the established church, but was frequently found rendering assistance to the free churches of the town.

George Mays was in failing health for three years and eventually confined to his bed at his home in Brook House, Eastgate [demolished to make way for the Worth Court residential complex], where he died on Tuesday 9th March 1926. He had married Martha Thornton in December 1882 and they had two children, a son Henry and a daughter Muriel, all of whom survived him.

The respect in which he had been held was reflected in the manner of his funeral the following Saturday when there were large crowds for the service at the Abbey Church, conducted by the vicar, Canon John Grinter, and at the town cemetery where he was buried. Representatives from all sections of the community attended, including a large number of workers from the family firm. As the cortege entered the church, the organist Mr W R Leary, played Blessed are the departed and the service, which was fully choral, included the hymns Lead, kindly light and On the resurrection Morning while O rest in the Lord was played as the coffin left the church, born by six employees, including Messrs W Laxton, J Darnes, J Sandall, C Clay, G Pick and S Rodgers.

The large number of floral tributes also reflected his popularity and the high esteem in which he was held. There were wreaths from the County Woollen Merchants Association of England and Wales, the men at the Dorrington Hide and Skin works, employees of his own company at their various depots in Bourne and Peterborough, the local bench of magistrates, Bourne Urban District Council and the many organisations to which he belonged.

 See also Bourne Military Hospital

Thomas William Mays     Raymond Mays     Mays and Sons

Go to:     Main Index    Villages Index