Daniel is passionate about pigeon racing. Photo: Daniel Parker
A love of pigeon racing helped a 23-year-old man in Stamford cope through the dark times after a motocross crash left him paralysed.
Daniel Parker damaged his T4, T5 and T6 vertebrae in a motocross collision earlier this year. It left him with no movement or sensation from the stomach down, but his pigeon passion helped him stay positively focused.
He had previously been serving his apprenticeship as a master roofer specialising in Collyweston slate roofs until the accident.
Whilst in hospital, the racing season approached and his parents suggested that they would race for him.
Daniel, who is the son of a professional game keeper, said: “My motocross accident was life changing, but I am determined to live life to the fullest and continue enjoying pigeon racing.
“It is a brilliant sport that is truly inclusive of everyone. I can’t thank my parents enough for being so supportive and for the generosity from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association for helping raise funds for a new pigeon loft.
“It will truly help change my life.”
Daniel was left with no movement or sensation from the stomach down. Photo: Daniel Parker
Fundraising for new pigeon loft
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) will be helping to raise funds for new equipment for Daniel, who has been involved in the sport since his teens.
Proceeds from this year’s annual British Homing World Show in Blackpool, which is the largest gathering of pigeon fanciers, have been donated towards the funding of a new pigeon loft for Daniel.
The loft will need to be upgraded, as well as the garden, which will cost over £5,000. The new loft will be adapted to make access easier for Daniel and contain an automated nest cleaning box.
Further funds will also be raised by a young pigeon auction, where pigeons will be donated by fanciers across the UK. There will also be other fundraising events throughout the year.
Ian Evans, CEO of the RPRA, added: “Daniel’s story is incredibly sad but it is hugely inspirational as well. Everyone at the RPRA and within the pigeon racing community are proud to support Daniel and ensure he can continue to take part in the sport he loves. He is a real credit to our community.”
Daniel has won several prizes in the sport of pigeon racing. Photo: The Royal Pigeon Racing Association
Pigeon passion
Daniel, who has kept birds his whole life thanks to his dad, bought 20 Birmingham Roller pigeons after visiting a local farmer’s market in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire when he was 12.
He then took them home and converted an old shed into a loft, which he made suitable for them.
At the age of 14, he became the youngest member of the Kesteven and Rutland pigeon club, where club members gifted him young birds.
Daniel became involved in the sport the following year and finished in third place in his first pigeon race. Over the years he has also had several ‘first’ prizes and has also been the highest inland average winner on a number of occasions.
The Kesteven & Rutland club stopped racing two years ago, so Daniel joined the Stamford & District pigeon club. They fly with the Peterborough Central South Road Federation, where he continues to win against the area’s top national flyers.
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A 49-year-old man has been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs after a series of police raids in Boston.
David Legatt, 49, of Mandarin Drive in Boston, was charged by officers with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs on Wednesday. He has been remanded in court.
Officers executed four warrants at Witham Bank, Mandarin Drive and Tennyson Close in the town on Monday, initially arresting eight people before two more were arrested on Tuesday.
During the raids, police found large quantities of class A drugs and cash, as well as what is believed to be stolen property.
Two men in their 30s and 40s, a man in his 70s, four women in their 50s, one woman in her 40s and another two in their 60s were all arrested in the Boston area.
Two women in their 50s and 60s and the man in his 70s were released under investigation, quickly followed by six of the others.
Plans have been submitted for a luxury 66-bed nursing care home in Grimsby, all with wet room ensuites.
Applicants Kings Road Investments Limited are seeking planning permission approval from North East Lincolnshire Council to build the facility on land at Station Road and Louth Road, New Waltham.
The proposal is also part of a wider development on the arable site incorporating 239 homes by Barratt and David Wilson Developments, which according to planning documents, was due to start last month.
The care home will be three storey and arranged in three separate blocks to achieve different types of care for the elderly and “approximately 50% of bedrooms to be premium standard,” according to developers.
Artistic visuals of what the Grimsby care home would look like.
Gardens will be included in the designs with a “high quality hard and soft landscaping, providing a variety of experiences, seating areas and destinations,” say documents.
The landscaping has been designed for people with dementia and would include sensory planting and circular paths as well as garden terrace areas.
Resident activity areas for bowls are also planned for the development.
Site plan for the proposed care home in Grimsby.
Developers said: “The building design has been developed to optimise the living experience, and wellbeing of the residents, as well as the staff who work there.”
“A care home is not firstly an institution, but rather a home to many elderly people, and has therefore to work and feel as such.”
The car park will have 30 parking spaces and three disabled spaces.
North East Lincolnshire Council will make a decision on whether to approve or reject plans in due course.
Site location for the 66-bed care home in Grimsby.
The number is the same as the party went into the election with, however, down by four on the 2017 election results due to some party members leaving or switching sides.
The results, however, saw the loss of Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency Services Nick Worth and Executive Councillor for Community Safety and People Management Barry Young, both of who stepped down to retire and were replaced in their wards by Conservative councillors Tracey Carter and Robert Gibson respectively.
Eddy Poll, Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management, who was voted out and replaced on the authority by South Holland Independent Robert Gibson, is not on the LCC cabinet either.
Now council leader Martin Hill has announced his new executive team for the next four years. The new team will include nine councillors rather than the previous eight, and as part of it some roles have also been moved around between councillors.
It will see existing members Councillor Hill and Councillors Patricia Bradwelll, Richard Davies, Colin Davie and Sue Woolley joined by Councillors Richard Butroid, Wendy Bowkett, Lindsey Cawrey and Danny McNally.
Conservative leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill after his party won enough seats to retain control.
All four were re-elected to their ward seats in Thursday’s election.
Councillor Hill said: “I’m pleased to announce the make-up of the new executive and the councillors who will be leading the services we provide for the people of Lincolnshire.
“I’m very pleased the hard work of candidates and Conservative councillors of the past four years has been recognised and rewarded and I look forward to the next four years.
“I’m confident the council will serve the public of this county as best it can.”
He said the authority had a “very strong manifesto” and repeated previous promises of building and developing roads, schools and broadband as well as tackling potholes and fly-tipping and campaigning for more funding.
Councillors Barry Young and Nick Worth stepped down for the 2021 elections, while Councillor Eddy Poll lost his seat at the vote.
The new council also includes three district council leaders, with Councillor Kelham Cooke (South Kesteven) and Richard Wright (North Kesteven) joining Councillor Paul Skinner (Boston) in the chamber.
The full list of executive group members is:
Martin Hill: Leader and executive member for Resources, Communications and Commissioning
Patricia Bradwell: Deputy leader and executive member for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement
Richard Davies: Executive Member for Highways, Transport and IT
Colin Davie: Executive Member for Economic Development, Environment and Planning
Sue Woolley: Executive Member for NHS Liaison, Community Engagement, Registration and Coroners
Richard Butroid: Executive Member for People Management, Legal and Corporate Property
Wendy Bowkett: Executive Member for Adult Care and Public Health
Lindsey Cawrey: Executive Member for Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services
Danny McNally: Executive Member for Waste and Trading Standards
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