An appeal has been launched to help a Lincolnshire war veteran celebrate his 100th birthday, with people being asked to send him cards for his big day.
Bob Sargent, an RAF veteran from Lincoln, will turn 100 years old on March 24, and a volunteer at a veteran’s club he is part of has launched a campaign to make it a birthday to remember.
Pauline Sidebottom, a volunteer at the veteran dedicated Camaraderie Club in Lincoln, has been speaking to Bob regularly on the phone, due to not being able to meet up in person as a result of lockdown, just to check in with him and make sure he is okay.
She has asked for people to send Bob a birthday card to celebrate his 100 years of life.
Bob served for five years in the RAF during the early 1940s, first training as a technician and going on to become a leading aircraftman.
He served in the Middle East, including in Iran and Iraq, and is noted as working on famous aircraft such as the Halifax and the Spitfire.
Bob said his time in the force was “the best years of my life” before the tragic passing of his father, where a touching anecdote shared by Bob shows how much his job meant to him.
Bob took compassionate leave to visit his father in hospital when he was at the end of his life. When he arrived, his dad told him: “I’m so proud of you son.”
The message was particularly poignant given that his father would die the very next day, but that didn’t stop Bob from pursuing his love of aircraft.
He left the Air Force and went to work at Luton airport, where he worked on Rolls Royce aero-engines among other huge aircraft.
Pauline told The Lincolnite that Bob “comes alive when I talk to him about his days in the RAF”, and it inspired her to give him the best birthday possible.
“I want to try and make it as special as I can, and let him know people are outside of his four walls and thinking about him.
“I did ask him what he wanted for his birthday (thinking he would say Thornton’s or Lindt because he loves them) and he said “just some birthday wishes” bless his heart, I think we can do better than that as a city can’t we?”
The Red Arrows have already agreed to donate a signed photo for Bob’s birthday, and Pauline is asking for the community to also chip in for him.
If you wand to send Bob a card, please send it to 32 St Edwards Drive, Sudbrooke, Lincoln, LN2 2QR, the address of someone who will deliver these cards for his big day.
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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.
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