April 10, 2013 2.41 pm
This story is over 110 months old
Longest serving City of Lincoln Council employee retires
Long public service career: A man who has worked at the City of Lincoln Council for 50 years will retire from his long-serving post at the end of the week.
L-R: City of Lincoln Council Chief Executive Andrew Taylor, Housing Estate Officer Graham Fotheringham and City Council Leader Ric Metcalfe.
A City of Lincoln Council employee who worked for the local authority for 50 years will retire at the end of the week.
Lincoln-born Housing Estate Officer Graham Fotheringham started at the council as an apprentice joiner on April 15, 1963, but moved into a career supporting tenants.
Initially, he used to push steel-rimmed handcarts for transporting tools and materials across the city, before getting a ‘butcher’s bike’.
He said: “My first manager Mr Cyril Hill was an inspiration because he always took an interest in everyone and always spoke to you on a personal basis.
“I’ve always tried to talk to tenants and colleagues at any level and earn mutual respect and I’ve been lucky to have had great people around me.”
Graham Fotheringham has seen all kinds of interesting sights during his time at the City Council — from being chased by dogs on a cycle home to a rescued parrot being told off by its owner for being a “naughty boy”.
He started his current role as an estate officer 12 years ago.
He said: “I have met so many people and had so many laughs through my work and the tenants have been the heart and soul of my time here.
“I saw real poverty and shared people’s struggles by talking to them and they made me more interested in people and taught me a lot about life and myself.”
In his last week, Graham has been meeting some of the tenants he has helped, plus tanking his colleagues for their support.
It was while working in his role he met his wife, Gill, who asked the council to fix her door while she was a tenant.
The council’s Chief Executive Andrew Taylor said: “Graham’s achievement is quite exceptional. It is not uncommon for people to spend their entire career in local government but it is very rare that people get to 50 years.
“Graham has been liked and respected by thousands of tenants over the years and, as much as we will miss him, it is they who will miss him most.”
Graham is now looking forward to sharing time with Gill and their three children and three grandchildren before enjoying a well earned holiday.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.