When the West Parade police station in Lincoln closed last week it signalled the end of an era, particularly for one local family who share more than 50 years of policing memories.
The Lincolnite took a tour of the building on Thursday, November 21 which, after years of daily hustle and bustle, resembled a ghost town with abandoned desks and empty custody suites.
Known by many locals as the ‘Ryvita building’, its future is yet to be decided by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
His father Walter Myers, 82, worked in CID after joining the force in 1961. He was previously based at Sessions House on Monks Road before moving to West Parade.
Walter was one of the first staff to move into the West Parade building when it opened in October 1975, and fondly recalls the family feeling at both bases.
Lincoln Police Station on West Parade was opened in October 1975. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside Lincoln Police Station. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
‘Like a big family’
Walter Myers joined Lincolnshire Police in 1961. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Walter told The Lincolnite: “We dreaded leaving Sessions House and coming here as it was good and homely. Some people liked moving at the time, but I thought it was better here. It was like a big family.
“Being here brings back a lot of memories. We had some good times and we had a good social club, which they haven’t got now.
The custody suite at Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
“It’s more efficient with the gear they’ve got now to what we had. When we first got a personal radio we had one which we spoke into and another in our ear, I could never cope with all this technology.
“When I started if you took somebody’s fingerprints, the bloke used to go down on a motorbike to Scotland Yard and have them checked out. Now he (Paul) can do it from his desk.”
The cells in the custody suite. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside a cell. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Following in father’s footsteps
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Myers joined the force in 1990. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Paul, who previously working as a plumbing and heating engineer, said: “I have a lot of happy memories here. My father was here before me so I used to come here as a child back in the old days when it was a real family friendly environment. I used to come and use the gymnasium and play pool and use the canteen, so I go back 44 years in this building.
“It is happy, busy, with a lot of people working together as a team facing a lot of challenges, but this place invokes a lot of views. Some people don’t like what it looks like, but I’ve always loved it here.
An interview room. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
This was used as the old force control room at West Parade until the late 1990s. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
“It’s got heart to it and it’s where I feel I’m at home and it’s where I’ve spent most of my life. When I started my dad had already retired, but there were a lot of people that knew him, so that was a nice connection.
“It’s the end of an area. This building has been part of not only our lives, but lots of other officers and the community as well. Anyone that’s lived within a few 100 yards of this building has known a lot of people that have worked here, people would socialise with us and come up to the social club, that’s how it was when I started.”
Paul was lucky enough to take on his dad’s collar number from his days in the force. Walter’s collar number used to be 90 at the Lincoln City force and when it amalgamated with Lincoln County and Grimsby it became 1190.
Paul also met his wife Emma at the coffee machine at Lincoln Police Station. She retired last year after working as a Detective Inspector in the Public Protection Unit.
The car park at Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The building belongs to the office of the Lincolnshire Police Crime Commissioner. It officially closed to the public on November 17 with more services wound down in the coming weeks, and police are expected to be fully moved out by early December.
Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones previously commissioned a group of local businesses – Investors in Lincoln — to do a feasibility study on the options for the building.
See the rest of our gallery inside the station:
Inside the TEO (town enquiry office) at Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cell call system. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
This was one of the popular desks in the office due to its Cathedral views. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Police lockers. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The custody suite. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The holding cell at the police station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside the holding cell. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincnolnite
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln Police Station on West Parade is now closed to the public. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Outside Lincoln Police Station on West Parade. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
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The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
BAFTA-winning animation film The Snowman will be returning to Lincoln Cathedral this Christmas after a two-year absence.
The Snowman is now an integral part of many families’ Christmas routines, ever since Raymond Briggs’ picture book was published in 1978, before the animated television film was aired on Channel 4 for the first time in 1982.
It has been on our television screens ever since, and will now be coming back to Lincoln Cathedral for a series of special performances on Saturday, December 11.
The performance will be free of dialogue, much like the book, except for the now iconic Walking in the Air which will be sang by a chorister from Lincoln Cathedral Choir.
Come and watch the acclaimed The Snowman at the cathedral. | Photo: Lincoln Cathedral
Screenings will take place at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 7pm and 8.30pm on the day, returning to Lincoln after a two-year break compounded by COVID-19.
A live orchestra will accompany the storyline to bring it to life for the audience, and the cathedral’s nave will be lit to create a magical festive atmosphere.
Tickets will start at £6.50 and can be purchased from the Lincoln Cathedral website when they go on sale at 10am on Thursday, October 21.
The return of big and fantastic firework displays in and around the city will create a lot of excitement in November.
The Lincolnite has put together a list of displays to look out for to celebrate Bonfire Night this autumn.
If your display is not on the list and you’d like it to be added, please email full details to [email protected].
Autumn Lights – Lincolnshire Showground
The popular Autumn Lights fireworks display is returning to the Lincolnshire Showground on November 6, with fire and glow entertainers, street food and drink, as well as a funfair.
The fireworks display will be choreographed to music alongside hot air balloons glowing in the night sky.
Where: Lincolnshire Showground When: Saturday, November 6 (2pm-9pm) Cost: £45-£55 per car – buy tickets here
Fireworks will be back at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank stadium for the first time since 2019 with a fun evening of family entertainment on November 4.
There will also be live music and entertainment, including from the cast of New Theatre Royal Lincoln’s Christmas panto Beauty & the Beast, and a chance to meet the Lincoln City first team.
Where: Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium When: Thursday, November 4 (from 5pm, display at 8pm) Cost: Adults £6, concessions £4, family £18, with discounts for Imps Gold/Gold + Members – buy tickets here.
Lincoln Rugby Club fireworks display
Watch the fireworks at Lincoln Rugby Club. | Photo: Brian Penney
Lincoln Rugby Club in Nettleham will host a fireworks display with fun for all the family – fairground rides, candy floss, a sparkler pit, large inflatable slide and bouncy castle.
There will also be pizzas, burgers, hotdogs and a sweet stall at the family-friendly event.
Where: Lincoln Rugby Club, Lodge Lane, Nettleham When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6pm, display at around 7pm) Cost: £5 per person or family tickets for £15 (two adults, two children). It is advised to book in advance, but tickets can also be bought on the day. Buy tickets here.
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School
The annual firework event will return with a bang at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School for its 25th year, on November 5.
Fireworks, fairground rides and food will be available at the event described by the school as “a great night out for all the family at one of Lincoln’s most popular firework events”.
Where: Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School, Bristol Drive, Lincoln When: Friday, November 5 (5.30pm-8pm) Cost: Adults £5, children £3, family tickets also available and prices vary. People can purchase tickets here in advance or pay at the gate on the day.
Harmston Young Farmers Bonfire Night
| Photo: Harmston Young Farmers
The free annual family bonfire and firework night held by Harmston Young Farmers’ club for the village and the wider community returns this autumn.
There will be hot food, a licensed bar, sparkler zone, and a rousing performance by The Sleaford Concert Band.
Where: Harmston Village, LN5 9SN When: Wednesday, November 3 (starts 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Free entry, but donations will be collected throughout the evening for a chosen charity.
The Sturton by Stow bonfire and fireworks night will return on November 6, 2021.
The annual firework spectacular will return to the Sturton by Stow recreation field
There will be food and drink stalls, as well as glow sticks sold by Sturton Youth Club. The event will help raise money for the local recreation field, FOSSA and Sturton by Stow Youth Club.
Tickets will be available from mid-October from Sturton General Stores and Sturton Primary School, with limited tickets available on the gate.
Where: Sturton Recreation Field, LN1 2BU (parking available at the school and Bradshaws) When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5.30pm) Cost: Adults £6, under-14s £4, under-3s free. Family ticket (two adults and two children) £18 if purchased in advance.
The bonfire night and fireworks event will return to the village of Bassingham in 2021. | Photo: Elliot Doody
The fireworks event in the village of Bassingham will return for the first time in four years, for families and anyone who still loves a traditional bonfire night.
Tickets can be purchased from Greens of Bassingham corner shop and The Bugle Horn pub, with a limited number available on the gate on the night.
Where: A field in Bassingham near LN5 9JU When: Saturday, November 6 (starts at 7pm with fireworks at 7.20pm & 7.45pm) Cost: Adults £3, under-16s £2, under-4s free.
Harby Bonfire and Firework display
Harby Bonfire and Firework display will be held on November 5, 2021.
Harby’s firework display is its main source of income to help provide the local playing field, bowls pavilion, tennis court, and children’s play area.
Due to bad weather and coronavirus, Harby’s last firework display was held there years ago, so this will be an extra special event and help raise some urgently needed funds. Food, drinks and refreshments stalls will be available.
Where: Church Road, Harby, NG23 7ED When: Friday, November 5 (gates open at 6pm) Cost: Adults £5 and all under-16s get in for free
Ingham Bonfire Night
Ingham Bonfire Night will take place on November 5, 2021.
Food and drink will be on sale inside the village hall as part of the returning Ingham Bonfire Night.
No sparklers are allowed, but glow sticks will be on sale, while there will be limited free parking at the GP surgery on Lincoln Road.
Where: Ingham and Cammeringham Village Hall and car park When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6.15pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets on the gate – Adults £5.50, Children £4.50 (under-5s free), Family Ticket £18 (two adults, two children)
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night.
There will be kids rides, food vendors and a bar at this year’s Witham St Hughs Bonfire Night.
Where: Witham St Hughs Village Hall When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, and fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. On the gate is priced at £8 for those aged 16 and over and £6 for children aged 5-15. Online tickets are £5.50 for those aged 16 and over, with children aged 5-15 costing £4.50. Family tickets are also available priced at £17.
Lindum Firework Display
Lindum Firework Display will return for 2021.
The Lindum Firework Display will return for 2021 after last year’s cancellations.
There will be a fully stocked bar, as well as several local hot food vendors. Guests are requested to refrain from bringing sparkers as they are not permitted at the event.
Where: Lindum Sports Association, St Giles Avenue When: Sunday, November 7 (from 5pm for a light show and firework display) Cost: Tickets can be purchased on the gate – Adults £6, Concession £4, Family of 4 (two adults, two children) £16
RAF Waddington will also be hosting a fireworks display on Wednesday, November 3. It is only open to military personnel and will be taking place on base, but the local community will likely be lucky enough to see the display from their homes as per previous years.
Elsewhere in the county, the popular Enchanted Lights event returns to Stourton Estates in Baumber near Horncastle between November 4 to 6.
An alternative evening’s entertainment to a traditional bonfire or fireworks night, including the trees and arboretum lit up with coloured lights, toasting marshmallows on specially designed mini fire-pits, and more – see more information and buy tickets here.
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