Celebrating a life dedicated to caring

HOWARD STRAUGHEN-SIMPSON RETIRES AFTER HIS 60-YEAR CAREER...

A nurse who has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to supporting patients and colleagues hopes his story will inspire others to join the ‘most rewarding’ profession.

Howard StraughenSimpson joined the NHS as a cadet nurse in 1962 when he was just 17 years old and has recently finally retired from his most recent role supporting colleagues in local hospitals.

“I have always been proud to be a nurse. It has never been well paid, and when I started my nurse training my salary for the year was £290, however the feeling of helping others provided me with immeasurable reward, and that has never gone away.”

“The one thing I would say is that I would do the same if I had my time again. I have no regrets at all. To anyone thinking about joining the profession, starting as a cadet nurse is brilliant. It gives you an opportunity to learn all about the job and it shows you the reality of what is involved.”

“I realise that students in nursing train in other ways, but the principle in my mind remains the same, that one must know what is involved in the science and art of nursing and the impact those two aspects can have on a person.”

During COVID pandemic Howard spent his time supporting NHS staff on the front line by going to different units and some wards and providing a listening ear: “I saw for myself what they were going through supporting patients and families and my role was to support them,” he says.

To mark his retirement, colleagues his presented Howard with a replica of the George Cross medal that was awarded to the NHS by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. n

As this edition of Pride appears in shops, Lincoln Cathedral will host a stunning light and sound installation which will transform the interior of the building into a giant canvas.

‘Life’ by Luxmuralis, will see the historic spaces bathed in stunning images and designs, complemented by an evocative soundtrack. The installation will take visitors on an immersive journey from dawn to dusk, through the natural world.

It is the first time that Lincoln Cathedral has hosted a light and sound show and there is great anticipation for the event which will transform the whole of the Cathedral floor including the nave, St Hugh’s Choir, the transepts, allowing visitors to see the spaces as never before.

The Very Revd Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, says: “This fantastic building has for centuries sat as a beacon of light across the city, so it is fitting that now we’ll be using light to tell the fascinating story of life in all its many forms. It will be an exciting, colourful and entertaining experience for everyone to enjoy.” n Life by Luxmuralis will run from 15th February to 18th February, see www.lincolncathedral.com.

£8m for Alford & Spilsby

THREE HISTORIC SITES TO BENEFIT FROM £8M LEVELLING UP FUND FROM THE GOVERNMENT

International award for Ancaster Leisure...

Sleaford

Lincolnshire karting and leisure facility

Three historic sites are set to benefit from £8m Levelling Up funding from the Government.

£2.5m is going to Alford Manor House to create a permanent function space as well as the relocation and improvement of the tearoom and kitchen, freeing up space for improved displays within the museum.

£1.1m is secured for Alford Windmill to help save the historic mill which is now on the Heritage at Risk register. Work will see the mill restored and reopen as a major attraction, including a new visitor experience, café and shop.

Spilsby Sessions House is to be supported too, to bring the building back into use as a theatre and community-owned space. MP Victoria Atkins said she was delighted by the news of the ‘transformational funding.’ n

Heritage Lincolnshire’s new CEO

TRACY STRINGFELLOW WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SIX HERITAGE SITES, OPEN DAYS & HERITAGE TRAILS

Ancaster Leisure has beaten 11 other countries to take pole position in an international competition to be named Best Rental Kart Track. The karting track was created 25 years ago by Richard Johnson adjacent to the family’s farm. The 1,000 acre site also has a bowling alley, plus archery, airsoft and paintball facilities. n

Heritage

Lincolnshire has appointed Tracy Stringfellow as its new CEO. The organisation ensures that Lincolnshire’s heritage is understood and valued, for future generations. It is the most active Buildings Preservation Trust in the East Midlands and has become one of the UK’s leading regional heritage bodies. Tracy’s background is in the heritage sector, having worked for Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust for the last eight years and previously for the Royal borough of Greenwich. She will now be responsible for local sites including Kirton’s Old King’s Head, Boston’s Hussey Tower and Bolingbroke Castle. n

NKDC has received funding from the Tarmac Landfill Community Fund to give North Hykeham’s Terry O’Toole theatre a £33,000 refurbishment in time for its 20th anniversary. The theatre’s 200 seats and its performance area are all set to be replaced. n

Local News

In Brief LINCOLN

A purr-fect way to raise money for charity...

NORTH KESTEVEN

Makeover

£33,000

A campus cat who is one of the most popular figures among staff and students at Bishop Grosseteste University has recently raised £500 for local charity Lincoln Cat Care, by appearing in his own charity calendar.

Johnty is described as the University’s mascot and rodent control officer, and is popular in the BGU community. His calendar was produced with a little help from the University’s reprographics department and sold for £3.50. Funds raised from its sale were presented to Lincoln Cat Care Trustee Liz Thomson by Professor Peter Neil, the Vice-Chancellor of BGU last month. n