Tribute to Formula 1 championship-winning BRM car completed in South Street, Bourne

A neglected flowerbed has been transformed into a tribute to Bourne's illustrious motor racing legacy.

The makeover celebrates the glory days of the town’s Formula 1 past when champion driver Graham Hill powered the Bourne-based British Racing Motors (BRM) team to the 1962 driver's and constructor's world titles.

The flower bed is on the site of the former Bourne East signalbox, in South Road, and the design also marks the importance of the railway to the development of the town and its subsequent closure.

It was designed by Debbie Cooke, of Creative Garden Designs, and is a joint project between Bourne Town Council and local charity, The Len Pick Trust, with additional funding from the Owen Family Trust, Hall and Hall, and the BRM Association.

"The town council is always anxious to improve the town and works regularly with the Trust who have helped sponsor the planters and hanging baskets in the town for a number of years," said town clerk Ian Sismey.

"When South Kesteven District Council relinquished maintenance of the flower bed, we agreed something special should be created because it's situated in such a prominent position."

At the heart of the display is a large-scale silhouette of the world title-winning BRM F1 car, known as Old Faithful, which was built in Bourne.

The laser-cut silhouette was made in one piece by Billingborough-based Repfab Engineering.

Former racer Raymond Mays, who lived in Eastgate House, was the driving force behind BRM which competed in Formula 1 from 1951 to 1977.

Among the list of driving greats to have graced the machines, built in workshps behind May's home, were multiple world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart, British legend Stirling Moss and Juan Manual Fangio, rated among the greatest drivers of all time.

The display was completed in time to impress Britain in Bloom judges who visited earlier this month, and an official unveiling ceremony is planned for September.