Call for nominations for Lincoln Civic Award

People have a superb opportunity to make 2018 an extra special year for an outstanding individual, organisation or business – and it’s so easy to do!

The Trustees of the highly-prized Lincoln Civic Award have begun their search for this year’s winner of this magnificent silver accolade, which was crafted locally by the late silversmith Derek Birch.

And they are challenging people, especially those who have never suggested prospective winners before, to nominate a person, organisation or company who should be recognised for bringing credit to the City of Lincoln.

The winner will join a prestigious roll of honour featuring previous winners from all walks of life.

They include sportsmen and women, industrialists, educationists, charity workers, companies whose products have made Lincoln world-famous and individuals working “behind the scenes” within a wide variety of organisations.

Last year, it was a very proud Ray Hooley (then aged 89), who was thrilled to receive the award from the city’s Mayor at a special ceremony in Lincoln’s Guildhall.

Mr Hooley, who was information officer and librarian for the former engineering company Ruston & Hornsby and who was nominated by his daughter Kerry Blackbourn, said he was “flattered, overwhelmed and very grateful” to be presented with the award.

Since 1960 he has spent thousands of hours of his own time to bringing Lincoln’s industrial past back to the city.

Mr Hooley instigated the return and restoration of pieces of machinery and vehicles, including three Ruston-built cars, from Australia, Glasgow and Devon.

But, one of his biggest achievements for Lincoln was saving, maintaining and looking after the Ruston archives (1860 to 1990).  

Who will be next is anyone’s guess!

Chairman of the Lincoln Civic Award Trustees Henry Ruddock said: “Lincoln continues to grow and diversify and it is always exciting to see the wide variety of individuals, businesses and groups who get nominated for the fabulous Lincoln Civic Award.

“This prestigious accolade, which stands 19 inches high and features an eight-sided obelisk is as coveted today as when it was first presented in 1967 and we encourage as many people as possible to suggest our next winner.”

All they have to do is pick-up a nomination form from the City of Lincoln Council’s offices or BBC Radio Lincolnshire in Newport.  People can also nominate by going online at www.lincoln.gov.uk/civic

Entries close on March 2.  The Civic Award will be presented by the Right Worshipful  the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Chris Burke, at a high-proflle ceremony in the city’s Guildhall on April 12, 2018.

For further information, please contact Kate Fenn on (01522) 881188.

Photo caption: Last year’s winner – Ray Hooley – who received his award from the then Rt Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Yvonne Bodge