April 26, 2013 10.48 am This story is over 131 months old

Lincoln insurers celebrate 100 years with learning bench

For learners: A group of insurers have celebrated a century since gaining their Charter with a commemorative bench.
University of Lincoln Head of Commercial Facilities Richard Merryweather (far left) and Lincoln Insurance Institute President Terence O’Halloran (far right) with Insurance Institute colleagues and guests.

A group of local insurance professionals have sponsored a bench in Lincoln to reflect the group and a celebration of up and coming young professionals.

The Lincoln branch of Chartered Insurance Institute held a special memorial event on the University of Lincoln campus on St George’s Day, where the bench was positioned.

The Committee of the institute wanted to mark the Centenary of the Chartered Insurance Institute with a “seat of learning” on the campus.

The insurance group celebrated 100 years since gaining in charter last year. At present, there are 400 members making up the Lincoln branch.

The oak material and position of the seat were chosen to reflect both the vision of the people who laid the first stone of Lincoln Cathedral, plus the strength and longevity that education brings to society.

Lincoln Insurance Institute President, Terence O’Halloran, said: “I dedicate this seat to the future of learning and those who are to be taught.

“The greatest principle of learning has to be the ability to make that learning produce something useful for Society. Learning for learning’s sake achieves little.

“We are extremely proud to recognise the Institute’s Centenary in this way. It is entirely appropriate to site the bench here to reflect upon 800 years of Cathedral history; the ‘Scorer’ designed modern architecture and the Roman port that is now the Brayford pool.”

Lincoln branch Secretary Jane Burgess said: “We decided to buy an Oak Memorial Bench, which was made for us by Knight’s of Langworth and installed by Lee Overton (L & J Construction) on its hardstanding.

“The oak bench is inscribed “For the next generation of talent”.

“There is a relevance here for not only the students attending the University of Lincoln, but the students who study with the Chartered Insurance Institute in building a better; stronger, more knowledgeable Society, whilst reflecting upon the history of what previous generations have brought to us.”

University of Lincoln Head of Commercial Facilities Richard Merryweather also attended the ceremony, and offered the institute a chance to bury a time capsule on campus.

He said: “When the capsule is ready we hope it will go into the ground near the new Art & Design building.”