The National School

The building of elementary schools was left entirely to voluntary bodies before the Education Act of 1870, principally churches, and the National Society for Education which was an Anglican organisation, started planning a National School on a site in North Street in the early part of the 19th century. One of the principal organisers was the Rev Joseph Dodsworth, then curate at the Abbey Church, and he was present at the stone laying ceremony in 1829. 

The new school was financed by subscription and money-raising events and an annual ball was held at the Town Hall to help maintain the flow of funds for its upkeep. During the Great War of 1914-16, the building was adapted for use as part of the temporary Red Cross hospital based at the Vestry Hall next door where soldiers were brought to convalesce after being wounded in France.

After the war, the building was again used for educational purposes but was eventually superseded by the county primary school in Abbey Road and since March 1987, the building has been the constituency headquarters of the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association. The South Lincolnshire Conservative Club also opened on the premises in November that year when the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor John Wright, pulled the first pint, but it closed down ten years later because of continuing financial problems.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN ONE SCHOOL

When the Bourne Boys' Council School broke up on Wednesday for the Christmas holidays, Mr T W H Harrison terminated his long period of service at the school. Mr Harrison commenced teaching at the school in 1888 and is now retiring on superannuation. Before the school was dismissed, the headmaster, Mr H Goy, presented Mr Harrison with a barometer for which the scholars and staff contributed, and he referred to the long association of Mr Harrison with the school and wished him a long and happy retirement. Mr Harrison suitably acknowledged the gift.

- news item from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 21st December 1923.

 

The annual ball held at the Town Hall in Bourne during the early 19th century to fund the new National School soon became one of the town's big social events of the year and tickets were much sought after, especially by mothers seeking husbands for their daughters. A guest list from one of these dances survives and it not only provides a glimpse of the pecking order in Victorian society, but also illustrates how young girls were paraded at such events in the hope that they might catch the eye of a prospective marriage partner. This report is from the Stamford Mercury for 21st January 1842, and is reminiscent of a scene from a novel by Charles Dickens or Jane Austen.

BOURNE NATIONAL SCHOOL BALL: - This ball was, as usual, well attended, not less than 170 having complimented the charity by their presence. The absence of the patroness (Lady Caroline Turner) created much disappointment. The dancing did not commence until 10 o'clock. A handsome apology, and liberal contribution to the funds, has since been received from C Turner Esq., MP, and Lady C Turner, We subjoin a list of the company:

Hon Gerard Noel

Hon H Noel

Hon A Willoughby

Sir John Trollope, Bart., MP

Lieut General Johnson, MP and Mrs Johnson

Rev K Foster

Rev C P Worsley

Rev M Garfit

Rev M Waters

Rev W E Chapman

Rev J and Mrs Dodsworth

Dr Brown

C Tryon Esq

W Parker jun., Esq and Mrs Parker

T Garffit Esq

Mr H Wraight and Mrs Wraight

Mrs Johnson

T Johnson Esq

Miss Hardy

G Hardy Esq

Mr C Hardy

C Elicot Esq

V Wing Esq

Mr W Pate, jun.

Mrs Colton

Miss Denshire

Mr W M and Mrs Daniell

Mr Brown

Miss Clifton

Mr Mullett

Mr J Fisher

Mr Wood

Mr O Sullivan

J Johnson Esq and Misses Johnson

Mr Hall

Mr and Miss Westmoreland

Miss Scott

Mr Henson

T S Candy Esq

W Syson Esq

Mr Walker

Miss J Barwin

Mr Fearne

Miss Caswell

Mr G Caswell

Misses Dean

Mr S E Dean

Mr C E Dean

Mr Leacourt

Miss Fountain

Mr H Bott

J W Lawrance Esq

Mrs Bell

Miss Wilkinson

Mr Bell

Capt., Mrs., Miss & Miss C Reynardson

Alex Christy Esq

Miss C and Miss S Waters

Mr R N Munton

Mr Law

Mr H Bird

Mr Bowman

G J Nicholls Esq

Mr W H Phillips

Mr Simkin

Miss Brailsford

Miss Lingard

H Hawkes Esq & Mrs Hawkes

2 Misses Tatam

J Caulfield Esq

C Tryon Esq and Miss Tryon

C Willis Esq

J W Wilders Esq

W E Chapman Esq

Mr H E and Mrs Dodsworth

Miss Newsam

Miss Dawson

Mr and Mrs J H Sharpe

Miss M A Gray

J Porter Esq

Mr J Brooks

A Tatman Esq

Mr and Mrs Holland

M S Tynet Esq

Mr Norton

Mrs., Miss E, Miss H and Mr W Warden

Mr Bowman

Mr Daniell

Miss Everard

Miss Williams

R Tomlin Esq

Miss Parker

W Woodricks Esq

Mrs., Miss, Miss F Jackson and Miss Jones

Mr C Ormond

Mr J Tenant

Miss Porter

Mr and Mrs C Osborn

Miss Ullett

Mr Fish

J Dove Esq

H H Tenant Esq

W Tenant Esq

Miss Thomson

T T Mawby Esq

Mr Nelson

Mr Dawson

W Holland Esq

Miss C and Miss R Holland

F Bellingham Esq

F J Bellingham Esq

E Pawlett Esq

H Dove Esq

See also The Bourne Militrary Hospital

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