The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
This week’s Pride of South Holland Awards nominee of the week is William (Bill) Parker who the person who nominated him describes as “a true local legend and worthy of recognition”.
Bill is up for the Senior Citizen of the Year award.
The person who nominated Bill said: “He is well known around Spalding for his charitable and voluntary work.
“Until his retirement he was a British Show Jumping Association judge and compere, helping out at various local shows as well as the bigger events around the country. His commentary and support for young riders is remembered by many.
“Only recently did he step down from being the president of the Lincolnshire section of the British Korean Veterans Association, a section he virtually managed on his own while raising thousands of pounds for veterans in our local community.
“Bill is also the longest serving President of the Spalding and District Snooker and Billiards League.
“He has been instrumental in the growth of the game in this area and further afield and many quite famous players have visited the area due to Bill’s influence including Jimmy White.
“He has been an inspiration to myself and many others.
“Despite declining health he still has a cheery outlook and is the first to offer assistance when he sees someone in need.
“During the CV19 pandemic, although Bill now needs more support, he has been an inspiration to all those around him including his neighbours who all clapped and cheered him when he made a rare appearance other than to clap on a Thursday evening for the NHS and took a walk down the street to make sure everyone else was well without a thought for himself.
“Bill encourages everyone and is on Facebook trying to encourage people on there as well.
“He tries to be active and loves people to call and see him and to be a part of anything that he can attend.
“He is truly missing things this year and always looks forward to attending parades and getting pictures to put on Facebook and show everyone saying what a wonderful job everyone has done.
“He does deserve so much. Over the years he really has been a major part of the community.”
The categories for the Pride of South Holland Awards:
Caring Neighbour – Coun Glynis Scalese & Coun Jack Tyrrell; Service with a Smile – Coun Paul Redgate; Young Achiever – Molsom Optometrists; Senior Citizen – Calthrops; Charity Worker – Hughes; Community Hero –Charmed Interiors and Bookmark; Volunteer of the year – Coun Manzur Hassan and Matthew Clark; Special Achievement – Springfields; Community Sports Group – Coun Harry Drury; Bakkavor – Local Charity Champion Award; Before and After School Social Activities – Coun Elizabeth Sneath.
For more information on the event please call 07779 895388 or email jan@tulip-radio.co.uk with your nomination.
Nomination forms can be dowloaded from www.spaldingvoice.co.uk
