Bourne Town Hall’s regeneration supported by Len Pick Trust grant

14 February 2025

Bourne Town Hall Trust is delighted to announce funding from the Len Pick Trust, a charitable trust based in Bourne.

Funds from the Len Pick Trust will support the whole regeneration project, which is aimed at creating a centre of culture, heritage and arts within Bourne.

Within this, the grant will also allow for the reconstruction of the town hall’s clocktower, and the original Georgian clock.

The opportunity to restore the clocktower will return the architectural balance of building and restore its imposing silhouette to the centre of the town.

When complete, the original 200 year old clock will once again provide a focal point to the town with the original bell set to chime once again during daytime hours.

The original clocktower was destroyed by fire in 1932, despite the best efforts of the fire brigade who were based in the building at the time. It was an integral part of the town hall from initial construction in 1821 and for over 100 years before the fateful fire.

The original clock mechanism was made by Thwaite’s & Reed, a distinguished firm of clockmakers from Clerkenwell, London.

Bourne Town Hall Trust is thankful for the support and enthusiasm for the project from the Len Pick Trust which is based in the town.

Bourne Town Hall Trust’s restoration and regeneration project is also made possible thanks to National Lottery players, with £3.3million awarded last month by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A spokesperson for The Len Pick Trust said: “The Len Pick Trust would like to congratulate the trustees of The Old Town Hall – Bourne, for raising the funds needed to carry out the major redevelopment work on the Old Town Hall building. The Trust is pleased to have awarded a grant to support this project.

At The Len Pick Trust we share your vision for a centre to support the arts for the people of Bourne, and we are delighted to have contributed to you achieving your goal.

We are looking forward to watching the next phase of the project.”

About The Len Pick Trust

Based in Bourne, Lincolnshire, the Len Pick Trust is a charitable trust which supports other local community organisations, primarily by awarding grants.

Through the provision of assistance the sole objective of the Trust is to assist in delivering significant and tangible improvements to the quality of life, the environment, the general benefit and well-being of the townspeople of Bourne.

About Bourne Town Hall

Bourne Town Hall is a striking classical Georgian Grade II building which over the last two centuries has served the people of Bourne as a sessions house, fire station, shambles market, town hall and council offices but which has stood empty since 2014 and is at risk of falling into further disrepair; this funding from the Heritage Fund will secure the building for the people of Bourne.

Built in 1821 on land originally donated to the town of Bourne by the Marquis of Exeter, with additional capital raised from 123 local subscribers, the construction of the building is a fantastic example of early crowdfunding and community support.

Bourne Town Hall Trust is a volunteer-led charity (1176315) set up in 2017 with the ambition of restoring Bourne’s Old Town Hall into an exciting and vibrant centre of heritage and culture for the community. Since then, our Trustees and volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop the plans working with the community and a wider professional team.

Look out on our website and social media for project updates, fundraising events and opportunities to support us throughout.

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