Charlotte Reid

L-R: Professor Paul Stewart (Chair of Control Engineering), Dave Harrigan and Tim Downing (Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire), Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Kath Brothwell, Carl Hockley and Phil Bonner (Aviation Development Officer)

A “talented and creative” engineering student has received a bursary in honour of one of the world’s most famous inventors, Sir Frank Whittle.

University of Lincoln student Carl Hockley is getting a £3000 bursary in recognition for his outstanding academic achievement and the contribution he has made to the university’s new School of Engineering over the past year.

Dr Jill Stewart, Acting Head of the University of Lincoln’s School of Engineering, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Carl – he is a talented and creative engineer and it seemed appropriate that he should receive the first award made in the memory of the exceptional engineer, Sir Frank Whittle.”

The award was set up this year by Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire in memory of Sir Frank Whittle and will be made annual.

It celebrates 70 years since the first jet powered flight was made in the UK by a plane using Sir Whittle’s turbojet engine at RAF Cranwell.

Phil Bonner, Aviation Development Officer for Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “Although Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire looks to raise the profile of the county’s rich aviation heritage we are very much involved with young people through our outreach and learning programme.

“The Sir Frank Whittle Bursary not only celebrates the past but looks to invest in the future.

“We are delighted that the City of Lincoln Council is sponsoring the first award of the bursary and we wish Carl all the best in his future studies.”

Hockley, who is going into his second year of a Mechanical Engineering course in September, was presented with his certificate and bursary at the Guildhall on Wednesday July 27by the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Kath Brothwell.

The first ever Sir Frank Whittle bursary is sponsored by the City of Lincoln Council.

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Economic Regeneration at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “We are incredibly proud to sponsor the first Sir Frank Whittle Bursary and would like to congratulate Carl, who has shown great academic ability and commitment to the School of Engineering in his first year.

“I wish him well for his studies, and future career.

“We see engineering as one of Lincoln’s most important industries, so we’re keen to support the School of Engineering, as well as local businesses.”

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo: Samantha Fisher for The Lincolnite

The Linkage Community Trust and the City of Lincoln Council passed stage one of a grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People Programme.

The initial bid for £2.7 million, including £22,500 development fund, is to go towards the restoration of Boultham Park.

This means the project meets the criteria for funding and has passed the first round but there is still a long way to go as the second application stage is later this year.

Jane Howson, Business Development Director at Linkage is “delighted” that the bid has made it past the first stage but “there is still a huge amount of work to be done before the project funding is secured”.

John Bibby, Director of Housing and Community Services at the City Council said: “This is excellent news, and we are thrilled that the Heritage Lottery Fund have recognised the tremendous range of benefits that this initiative could deliver. We will be working hard now to fine tune the bid for the HLF’s expert consideration and hope for a successful outcome later this year.”

If successful, the project will carry out conservation work to the site and transform the disused stable blocks into a heritage training skills centre for people with learning disabilities as well as the general public.

This would encourage the public to volunteer to take part in the ground’s maintenance and conservation projects, as well as a cafe run by the service users of Linkage Community Trust.

Lincoln’s MP, Karl McCartney, welcomed the news for Boultham Park saying it “is a much-valued green space in our local community, supporting a wealth of wildlife species as well as hosting an excellent playground for children.”

Photo: City of Lincoln Council