Jordan Lovett is among the family and friends taking part in a charity skydive next month in memory of the victims of the Tunisia terror attack in 2015, during which her sister was tragically killed.
Jordan will take part in memory of her sister Carly Lovett, a University of Lincoln graduate who was among a total of 30 British tourists killed on a beach in Tunisia when terrorists opened fire in the beach resort of Port El Kantaoui.
Carly, 24-year-old fashion blogger and photographer, as well as North Lincolnshire Council worker Claire Windass, lost their lives on that tragic day, which saw a total of 38 people sadly die.
Carly Lovett
Around 350 people attended Carly’s funeral in Gainsborough, with emotional tributes from family and friends. Her fiancé Liam Moore, who had been with Carly for 10-and-a-half years, gave an emotional tribute at the service held in All Saints’ Parish Church in July 2015.
Her sister Jordan will be taking part in a charity skydive, which will be held at Whitchurch Airfield in Shropshire at 8am on Saturday, July 3. Over £27,000 has already been raised – make a donation to the fundraiser here.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The event will mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic events in Tunisia. It has been organised by Suzy Evans from Wednesdbury in aid of the Smile for Joel charity, which she set up in memory of her son Joel, 19, brother Adrian, 44, and father Patrick, 78, who were all killed that day. Smile for Joel was launched to help other families torn apart by murder and violence.
Patrick, Joel and Adrian sadly died in the attack in Tunisia in 2015.
The skydivers on the day will be a mix of family and friends of those lost in the Tunisia attack. Suzy and her younger son Owen Richards, who was just 16 at the time and survived the attack, will be taking part, alongside their cousin Claire Webb.
Suzy said: “I will be nervous on the day, but I am really excited for the event. It’s going to be the first time we have been able to do an event face-to-face for over 18 months.
“It will be really special to see the other families. Some people are travelling quite a distance so it means to a lot to me that they are coming to the event. We didn’t want to do it on the actual anniversary, because people will have their own plans for that day to remember those who died, so we arranged it for a week later.”
Suzy Evans with her sons Joel, who tragically died in the attack, and Owen who survived.
Owen, now 22, said he wanted to do the skydive because it had been on his brother’s bucket list. He said: “He had spoken about wanting to do a skydive and that’s a big part of my motivation for doing this. I’m taking part knowing that Joel wanted to do it.”
They will be joined by Lee Stocker, who will jump in memory of his parents John and Janet Stocker from Morden, South London, and Lewis Burbridge, who is taking part in memory of his grandma Lisa Burbridge from Whickham, Gateshead. Another 32 other friends and supporter will be taking part to ensure each of the 38 victims is represented.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: