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Mayor Helen Powell reflects on year full of pride and joy
Helen cheers on the Olympic torch runners in July
Mayor Helen Powell believes its has been a vintage year for Bourne in 2012 with events attracting visitors from around the world.
In a year of many highs and celebrations there were fewer bigger than Bourne’s BRM Day which took place on October 7.
About 25,000 motoring enthusiasts lined the closed off streets of the town as Formula 1 cars paraded past, with two of British motor racing’s most famous names, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill, amongst the drivers.
The day celebrated 50 years since the Formula 1 World Championship was won by the Bourne-based British Racing Motors, known as BRM.
Coun Powell, who enjoyed the celebration with thousands of others said: “BRM Day was exceptional and a huge task by Rick Hall, chairman of the BRM Day committee, and his team to organise this wonderfully moral-boosting event for the whole town.
“Every single group, shop,business and church has benefitted so much, from this shot in the arm for Bourne. It was just amazing.”
The day raised more than £30,000 split between the two official charities, Bourne Outdoor Pool Trust and Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust as well as thousands of pounds for other good causes in the town who held their own events.
Coun Powell said: “I had the most amazing day meeting hundreds of wonderful people all really excited to see those wonderful machines going through their paces in the centre of Bourne where they were all conceived and built to perfection by Bourne craftsmen and women.
“People came from all over the world.
“So many new visitors came to the town and fell in love with Bourne, I’m sure they’ll be back. They loved the welcome, friendship and help they received from all the locals.
“One man told me he thought Bourne was the nicest place in the whole world, I told him he was right. We are so fortunate.”
Bourne also enjoyed some of the largest jubilee event in the area thanks to the effort of the Round Table which tied in the annual Bourne Festival with the national celebrations.
Coun Powell said: “The diamond jubilee celebrations were terrific with our marvellous famous Bourne Round Table organising another wonderful event for the whole town over the whole weekend and including the Monday.
“People came from far and wide to this brilliant event and so many great volunteers gave their time so generously to help the Round Table accomplish another great weekend for people on their doorstep, raising lots of money for charity.”
Coun Powell, who became mayor in May, said the charity work of so many people in the town had overwhelmed her.
“So many wonderful people are raising funds for various worthy causes locally and world wide,” she said.
“Bourne people really set the standard and there are such wonderful examples of caring people that think positively and get the job done.
“We are all so very proud of all the volunteers in town and in the villages that set us apart.
“Their work is always interesting, making a huge difference and very rewarding for all those involved, building new skills and confidence in life leading on to greater things naturally.”
Bourne was also lucky enough to be included among the thousands of towns which the Olympic torch rely passed through, coming through the centre of town on July 4.
Coun Powell said: “Everyone was so proud and excited.”
About 20,000 people lined the streets of Bourne early in the morning to see the torch pass its way along South Road and into South Street, into Abbey Road and finally Spalding Road.
The first torchbearer was Great British javelin thrower Goldie Sayers.
2012 has also seen Coun Powell launched her own mission to get a bandstand for the town to mark the diamond jubilee.
Having devised a design for the bandstand, which she hoped to house in the Memorial Gardens, Coun Powell embarked on finding funding for the project, securing half the £20,000 required.
Despite not completing the project this year the mayor has not given up on her dream.
She said: “All the quotes are in and the crafts people who have been found to do the work are waiting in the wings until we hopefully find the right site for this asset to the town, which will open up many opport-unities for our young and older musicians to progress with their skills and talent.
“We deserve it, the people of Bourne will be proud to use it and have picnics there, listening to the wealth of talent our town holds.”
She said she believed 2012 had been a year to remember.
“I would like to wish everyone all a magical New Year full of health, friends and happy days,” she said.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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