Lincs Pride JANUARY 234.qxp 30/11/2021 11:10 Page 8
NEWS & EVENTS
Johnny Johnson celebrates 100 years LINCOLNSHIRE-BORN SURVIVOR OF THE DAMBUSTERS RAID CELEBRATES CENTENARY LINCOLNSHIRE Congratulations and messages of best wishes poured in as Lincolnshire Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson celebrated his 100th birthday recently. Johnny was a bomb aimer with the 617 Dambusters squadron and was just 22 years old in 1943 when the raids took place. He was part of the Lancaster crew who led the raid on the Sorpe dam, and one described Barnes Wallace’s bouncing bombs as being ‘like glorified dustbins.’ “I’ve enjoyed my life I must say that. I still think of Lincolnshire as my home, not only was I born there, but I spent most of my operational war time in Lincolnshire airfields because Lincolnshire was known as the Bomber county, because there were so many airfields so close together,” he said, adding that to be a part of the raid was a ‘thrilling experience.’ n
Seeing Red in Lincoln? 1980s AND 1990s BAND SIMPLY RED HAS CONFIRMED A BIG GIG FOR SUMMER 2022
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LINCOLN With snow and frost due to reach Lincolnshire this month, it’s almost impossible to think that spring is on its way, let alone summer, but if you’d like something to look forward to when the blue skies and sunshine make an appearance once more, we’ve got just the thing! The Lincolnshire Showground has confirmed that its big pop act for summer 2022 will be Mick Hucknall and Simply Red, who will host an open air concert at the venue on 1st July from 5pm. Few bands have enjoyed the success and
longevity of Simply Red. With over 60 million albums sold worldwide, five UK number one hit albums and over a billion views on YouTube, Simply Red remains one of the UK’s most successful bands, formed in 1985 in Manchester by Mick. The group’s hits include Fairground, Holding Back the Years, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Stars, and For Your Babies. The group will also be joined by Lisa Stansfield. n Tickets £57.20, on sale now. See simplyred.seetickets.com. We’ve many other ideas for summer fun, too, later in this edition!
