Long Sutton and District Civic Society ‘over the moon’ following appeal to save century-old hearse from cremation with two offers being considered

Two offers to take on an ornate hand drawn hearse that is 106 years old are being considered — after a successful appeal.

Long Sutton and District Civic Society appealed for help to find a permanent home for the wheeled carriage, which could otherwise be faced with ‘cremation’ or being sold on eBay.

Tim Machin, from the society, said he was ‘over the moon’ that a private collector and a funeral director contacted him within the first day of the appeal being launched.

He said: “We are bowled over by getting two interested parties and the thought of saving it from a funeral pyre is marvellous.

“Riverside Funeral Services have premises in Sutton Bridge and Spalding and they would like it in their foyer which would be absolutely superb.

“Unfortunately it might be too big for them so we will see if we can come up with a solution.”

The beautifully made glass door wheeled carriage was built by Waltons, a Long Sutton coach builder, in 1918.

It has had a number of temporary homes in recent years at an undertakers, St Mary’s Church and Lincolnshire Museum of Country Life who had it for twenty years up until 2016.

A private collector in Rochester, Kent who has four hand drawn hearses in his collection already, has also shown an interest.

Mr Machin said: “We have spoken to him on the phone and he is quite interested and would like to add it to his collection.

“We would prefer it to go as locally as possible, which he completely understands but I am feeling cock-a-hoop and over the moon that it appears at least two parties are fighting over it.

“There is a cash offer but we would need to talk to the parish council who are in theory the owners.”

For further information contact Tim Machin, communications officer for Long Sutton and District Civic Society, by emailing civic.society@yahoo.co.uk and telephone enquiries can be made to Wendy Jeffries on 01406 362310.