Civic Society article

THE CIVIC SOCIETY is dedicated to the preservation of old and historic buildings and we reject the view that the Victorian chapel of rest in the town cemetery should be demolished without any due consideration of a practical alternative. It is an historic building and to pull it down without reason is a form of vandalism not tolerated by those who value our heritage.

We promote modernisation and imaginative thinking and as the cemetery survey in 1977, which included the chapel, revealed no serious faults, it is assumed that the building is still structurally sound until a further survey proves otherwise.

It is a shame that the chapel has been allowed to fall into the present state. Sadly, the principle of neglect, that of owners allowing a building to self-destruct and then claim it is unsafe and should be demolished, is totally unjustified while to replace it with a car park, as has been suggested, is quite inexcusable.

Following the 1977 survey, an offer was made to the council to replace the Collyweston roof tiles with lighter, imitation tiles free of any cost to the council, but, regrettably, this offer was not taken up because it would have avoided the current situation. Since its use as a chapel of rest ended, it has been utilised as a storeroom and equipment store, a sort of grand garden shed. The current poor state of the building was only brought to the public's attention when it was suggested as an alternative meeting place for the town council.

Due to the council's concerns on finances, it seems in order to put the building up for sale "as is" on condition repairs are carried out. If a further survey reveals that the Collyweston tiles are the only concern due to their weight, we suggest that remedial work be carried out and a constructive use of the building as inter-denominational memorial rooms for Bourne and district be implemented.

At present, memorials can only be recorded in the grounds of the Abbey Church or in books elsewhere, at the crematoriums in Peterborough, Boston and Grantham. A memorial facility at the chapel would retain the dignity of the occasion and at the same time retain an historic building of which the town can be proud while also maintaining the link to its original purpose.

While graves, vaults, and gardens of remembrance exist, they are expensive to establish and maintain and use up valuable land. The memorial room can contain a book of remembrance, stone engravings and family history memorials, specific to Bourne and district. At present, the only practical record of such details can be found at the crematoriums but a central record would bring our town's records all under one roof and enable visitors see the lives of their ancestors recorded in this way.

Genealogy has never been more popular and many families are spending time and money carrying out research of their family trees and this would provide an additional facility in their investigations while at the same time, recording our proud heritage.

A large national company may take on the project but a local firm would be the favoured option. There are many similar, structurally sound buildings in other cemeteries needing restoration that can still serve a new and purposeful use. Here in Bourne, we should not lose this fine building while such an opportunity exists.

WRITTEN FEBRUARY 2007