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Bourne groups call on groups and businesses to join town celebration event for Charles Worth bicentenary




Plans are being made for a town-wide celebration event later this year to tie in with the bicentenary of one of its most famous sons.

Community groups are joining forces for Worth 200 - a weekend of events in Bourne to celebrate the town and the world-famous 19th-Century fashion designer Charles Worth.

Known as the Father of Haute Couture, Worth was born in Wake House on October 13, 1825 and spent the first 11 years of his life in Bourne before going on to make his name in Paris.

Wake House, birthplace of Charles Worth, today serves as a community hub for local groups, charities and businesses
Wake House, birthplace of Charles Worth, today serves as a community hub for local groups, charities and businesses

It is hoped events will be held throughout the year, culminating in the main celebration over the weekend of October 10 to 12.

Bourne History Group (BHG) sparked the idea after a post on social media asking for suggestions how to mark the occasion.

Bourne and Aveland history groups and Wake House, as well as several town businesses, are already involved, but Bourne Town Councillor and BHG member Steve Guillari wants more to join the party.

The initial social media post which sparked the Worth 200 event
The initial social media post which sparked the Worth 200 event

“We hope the celebrations for next year will be all inclusive,” he said.

“This means that anyone can get involved by putting on their own event, which we will include in a list of programmes on social media.

“We hope that people will get dressed in period clothing for the event and make Bourne spectacular!”

A town history-themed event saw locals dress as historical figures - including King Henry VIII
A town history-themed event saw locals dress as historical figures - including King Henry VIII

Wake House is run by as a hub to support charities, community groups and business start-ups Bourne Arts and Community Trust which hopes to highlight how the 19th-Century North Street building is used today.

“We sowed the seeds for this back in April when Bourne History Group, Wake House and Bourne2Shine collaborated in a big history hunt,” said trust administrator Adele Barker.

“Steve created boards with clues on and it was brilliant. We had Henry VIII and Hereward the Wake, people sitting in the pubs and walking around the town in costume.

Organisers hope to build on the success of the history event last spring
Organisers hope to build on the success of the history event last spring

“It went down an absolute storm. It’s just getting people talking and thinking what a fun place to be.

“People take time out of their day to look after these historic buildings for the people of Bourne, so it’s also to celebrate all these great people.”

They hope it will become the springboard for an annual event for Bourne.

This crocheted Charles Worth topper will be popping up all around Bourne next year in the build-up to the October event
This crocheted Charles Worth topper will be popping up all around Bourne next year in the build-up to the October event

“It won’t necessarily always be about history or Charles Frederick Worth, but it will be us all coming together and having a celebration and saying look who we are and what we do,” Adele added.

Steve believes town-wide events such as this can help unlock the town’s potential and draw in crowds to help local shops and businesses.

“Bourne has a rich history which is hardly ever used to its full potential,” he said.

Steve Guillari, of Bourne History Group is passionate about the town's heritage
Steve Guillari, of Bourne History Group is passionate about the town's heritage

“Charles Worth and Victorian Bourne is an opportunity to use heritage as a tool to create a wonderful experience in our town centre which can be replicated time and time again.”

In the future, Steve would like to see statues erected of Bourne’s historic figures such as British motor racing figure Raymond Mays and women’s police pioneer Lilian Wiles, particularly to inspire young people.

“Bourne was seen by us kids then as a dead-end town, where nothing happened, and no-one important ever came from here,” he added.

“Remaining in Bourne from a young age to becoming an adult, I’ve discovered, through studying local history, that this outlook was incorrect.

“Because of this, I’m so passionate about making sure our heritage is on display for others to see.”

Organisations and businesses interested in creating their own event for Worth 200 can email Steve at sagiullari@hotmail.co.uk



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