Surprise – Lincoln Mayor Breaks Rules!
Community champions found themselves thrust into the spotlight at a celebration with a twist in Lincoln’s Guildhall.
Unsung heroes were rewarded for the amazing difference they are quietly making across the city, at an event where the Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Biff Bean “broke the rules!”
Traditionally, each year six recipients (which can include a couple) receive prestigious Mayoral Medals, when they are applauded for their hard work, often conducted behind the scenes, but this year there was a seventh medal winner!
First-up was June Brammer – the “lady with the bike with a basket and a heart of gold.”
“June, whose family was instrumental in the Lincoln Park Run, noticed that there was a need for more volunteers, so she offered her services. But she didn’t stop there,” said the Mayor.
“She now routinely marshals at the event, which she has done 270 times. On its 10th anniversary she completed the course for the first time, volunteering, of course, as the tail-walker!”
June is very modest, but the park run directors and community decided that the end should be named June’s Bridge. Her nominator said: “Everybody needs June in their life!”
Ardent football fan Jez Christopher has been involved with FVA Jerusalem Football Club at Skellingthorpe for 47 years, in roles ranging from player to manager and now Chairman. Three-thousand players have been involved with the club during that time.
“Jez is also a massive Lincoln City fan and has been a season ticket holder for many many years, supporting the Imps at home and away,” said the Mayor in congratulating him.
Another mayoral medal went to John East for his “extreme dedication” to Lincoln’s Arboretum.
Back in the 1990s he would report any park problems to City Hall. He went on to be involved with the Monks Road Neighbourhood Action Group which eventually folded. John then volunteered to restart the group and the Monks Road Neighbourhood Initiative was formed with him as Chair.
With more important commitments coming on stream, John had to step back, but when the City Council set-up the Arboretum Advisory Group in 1999, John was voted as Chair of that Group, and he still is.
“John has been an excellent ambassador for the park. He has chaired difficult meetings, showing a firm but fair approach. His support has been of great help in assisting the Council in gaining Green Flag status for the Arboretum. His stepping down from this role will be a significant loss,” said the Mayor.
Inam Abrahim also received a medal, in recognition of her tireless support for members of the community in Lincoln.
“You may be aware that Lincoln was the founder of the Arabic School for All – which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. This fantastic school teaches Arabic and has had more than 100 pupils to date,” said the Mayor.
“Inam has continued to work with the school for the past 25 years. Yet, more recently, she has taken on the role of working with “Lincoln Embracing All Nations” This organisation is really important and something which I am certainly keen to learn about.
“Inam is generous, kind-hearted and dedicates many voluntary hours to support members of our community in any way shape or form.”
Long-standing Hartsholme Park volunteers Alan and Yvonne Thompson were the fifth medal recipients at the awards ceremony. Alan has been a volunteer for more than 15 years and his wife for ten.
“They have played a vital role each year in keeping the flag flying and making sure the park maintains high standards,” said the Mayor.
Yvonne would regularly do litter picking sessions on weekly routes throughout the park. In his home workshop Alan would fabricate bespoke pieces of equipment, enabling footpath repairs, a tree sculpture for the memory garden and providing numerous solutions to planned small projects.
Before presenting medals to the pair, the Mayor added that Alan had represented the volunteers on the Park’s Advisory Group for many years and had completed numerous independent projects on its behalf to improve the park for visitors.
Centre for Reconciliation (CFR) representative Subash Chellaiah was presented with the “sixth” medal, for the centre’s work in bringing people of different faiths, cultures and ethnicities together.
“The centre works with local communities and started the Lincoln Hygiene Bank and Lincoln Blanket Bank. As you can imagine, these provided much-needed support during the cost-of-living crisis,” said the Mayor.
“During the Winter months the CFR provided food to families who were finding it hard to cope at Christmas. The Centre runs a weekly “drop in” craft and chat group, a monthly community café and has helped to furnish people’ homes, collect clothes, household donations and toys and give them to the families which need them.”
“We always give out six medals. However, I hope you will indulge me as, this year, I am going to break the rules and present an extra “special” medal,” said the Mayor.
He explained that the Civic Office organises many events throughout each year, running from May to May. It starts with the traditional Mayor-Making ceremony and includes freedom parades, remembrance services, the Christmas Lights Switch-on and more.
“Events like these need to be remembered and I want to remember everything about them. That’s why photographs are so important. There is a certain gentleman in the room with us tonight who, for over 20 years, has been behind the camera at what, I would say, every Civic event.
“I am reliably informed that even at extremely short notice, he will be there ready to make sure that special memories are saved. I’m talking about Mick Fox, who has been photographing our winners tonight.
“I understand Mick comes out to an event whatever the weather. He just gets on with the job without getting in anyone’s way. He is a true gentleman, always personable, considerate and accepting of any situation. I have great pleasure in giving him a mayoral medal in thanks for his tireless commitment to the Civic party and office over the years.”