Lincoln’s crown jewel also paying tribute to Her Majesty
The red, white and blue colours of the Union Jack will shine on Lincoln Cathedral on Thursday, as the historic landmark joins in celebrations for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The cathedral will light up on Thursday evening to celebrate 70 years at the helm of the British monarchy for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It will coincide with the beacon lighting event taking place across the road at Lincoln Castle on Thursday evening, with the Mayor of the city and the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire in attendance.
This evening the Cathedral will be lit in red, white and blue as we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.
Don't forget, you can join us on Sunday between 12noon and 2,30pm on the Dean's Green for a picnic, accompanied by Sounds Easy Big Band pic.twitter.com/bGRVtmq6ya
— Lincoln Cathedral (@LincsCathedral) June 2, 2022
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She will be invited to an exclusive event in London
Lynnette Pryke. | Photo: BBC Look North
A Lincolnshire volunteer and long COVID sufferer has been selected as a Platinum Champion volunteer by a panel led by the Duchess of Cornwall, after supporting her community during the pandemic.
Lynnette Pryke, 48, founded the Alford Hub to offer services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being on the shielding list and even suffering from long COVID herself.
The Alford Hub has 142 volunteers and has carried out 50,000 tasks from prescription delivery to running a virtual community centre, and Lynnette has been recognised for the brilliant work it does.
She was chosen as a Platinum Champion from more than 200 people who were nominated in the East Midlands, and nationally she joins a lineup of 490 volunteers acknowledged for their efforts.
The awards were initiated by the Royal Voluntary Service charity and its president the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II as her Platinum Jubilee arrives.
It celebrates extraordinary work in local communities from volunteers across the UK, pinpointing those selfless people who make a difference to others every single day.
This is the latest honour for Lynnette, following her UK Neighbour of the Year win earlier in 2022.
All 490 Platinum Champions will receive a specially designed pin and a signed certificate from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. Further, the 70 most outstanding volunteers have been invited to celebrate at an official jubilee event – a special edition of The Big Jubilee Lunch, at an exclusive London location on June 5.
Lynnette said: “I’m truly honoured to be recognised as a Platinum Champion for my 33 years of service to volunteering. Founding the Alford Hub which offers community services to those most in need has been one of the highlights of my service.
“I’m accepting this award with gratitude and extending it to all the 142 volunteers who have given their time to the Alford Hub. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall said: “The Platinum Champions Awards, launched by Royal Voluntary Service in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 years of service, have given us the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contribution of all volunteers, who truly are the backbone of our country.
“Congratulations to all our Platinum Champions – and my heartfelt thanks to you and to the millions of volunteers across the UK who give their time and talents so generously.”
An incredible tribute to a much-loved young woman
A memorial bench has been made and installed for 19-year-old Grace Brockelsby, who tragically died after mental health struggles in 2019. | Photo: Karena Hall
A memorial bench commemorating the life of Boston local Grace Brockelsby, who tragically died in 2019, will be unveiled at a public event this weekend.
Grace, 19, died after stepping out in front of a lorry on Wainfleet Road on June 5, 2019, with an inquest into her death hearing the teenager had taken a Japanese anti-anxiety drug shortly before the incident.
She had struggled with her mental health in the final years of her life, and her passing left questions of what more could have been done to help Grace.
Grace sadly died in June 2019.
A fundraiser was set up by Grace’s godmother Lisa Tague to gather donations for a bench in her memory, hand-carved with all her favourite things, including a teddy, a Chanel bottle and a globe with a plane travelling around it.
More than £2,000 was raised and Boston Town Area Committee approved the bench and location in March.
The bench is located in Boston Central Park opposite the skate park, and will be unveiled to the public at a special event called Grace’s Queen Bee Tea Party, held at 1.30pm on Sunday, June 5.
QR codes can be found which take you directly to links for mental health support. | Photo: Karena Hall
Everyone from the Boston community is welcome to join and check out the bench, as well as take part in a series of activities such as giant Jenga, a treasure hunt and big games of rounders. It will also be attended by the Mayor of Boston.
Etched onto the bench is a plaque with Grace’s face, date of birth and date of death on there, as well as a powerful message from the family about “Our Amazing Grace”.
Grace is remembered with this beautiful tribute on the bench. | Photo: Karena Hall
There are also QR codes that take you to mental health support websites, as well as uplifting messages and information for how to contact the leading mental health charity Mind – with a dedicated section for young people.
A remarkable note of “you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end” has been carved onto one of the bench legs, promoting a message of support for anybody who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Another poignant message carved onto the bench. | Photo: Karena Hall