Our Peter takes the honours! Palace trip on cards as Echo veteran wins MBE in Queen's New Year list Brendan Montague Tuesday December 31, 2003 The Lincolnshire Echo ECHO columnist Peter Washbourn has been made an MBE by the Queen in the New Year Honours List. Mr Washbourn, who worked as an Echo photographer for 40 years, receives the honour in recognition of his services to Lincolnshire. The 66-year-old is known throughout the county as an author, historian and lifetime advocate of the county. Today's announcement also distinguishes his outstanding contribution to a long list of community organisations. "I'm delighted," said Mr Washbourn. "This has come out of the blue and was a lovely surprise when I learned about it. "I am very grateful to the people who nominated me. It is a great honour, but without the backing of my wife Pat this would not have been possible." Mrs Washbourn recalls her husband's reaction to the news that he was to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. "He just sat down and said 'I want a drink' - those where his exact words," said Mrs Washbourn. "The honour is certainly something he is very proud of and I must say he deserves it. "He has done an incredible amount for the city. He will have a go at anything and is not happy unless he is in the middle of something." Now the couple are looking forward to their trip to Buckingham Palace for Mr Washbourn's investiture. "I have taken photographs of the Queen and Prince Charles but you try and keep out of the way as much as possible so I am looking forward to finally meeting them," said Mr Washbourn. Mr Washbourn has worked in photography since he left the former City School in Lincoln at the age of 16 and started his first job at Record and General Photographs in 1952. He became a photographic printer at the Lincolnshire Echo in 1956 and became a press photographer four years later. He retired in 1996 after four decades of service but continues to contribute to the newspaper with the popular Lincolnian's Diary (which appears every Tuesday) and Lincolnshire in the News (every Saturday). Mr Washbourn has also compiled and produced five books for the newspaper, on the history of the county and the Royal Air Force. The editor of the Lincolnshire Echo Michael Sassi said: "Everyone at the Echo is delighted. Peter has been a fantastic servant to this newspaper, both as a photographer and a writer. "Over the years he has won respect right across the county for his great knowledge and understanding of Lincolnshire people and their history. "Peter himself is a proud Lincolnian. He is also a very likeable chap. There can be few more deserving recipients of this honour." Along with his exhaustive contribution to the Echo, Mr Washbourn has played an active role in a plethora of organisations and groups, among them the Lincoln Beevor Band Organisation. Old school friend and fellow Lincoln Beevor Band stalwart Geoff Moralee said: "Peter has got his city and his county at heart and knows everything about Lincoln. This is the best news I've heard all year." President of the City of Lincoln College Association Bladen Spight, who has known Mr Washbourn since their schooldays, added: "This could not go to a nicer chap." Mr Washbourn is also secretary of the Lincoln Roller Skating Club - he met his wife at the Roller Skating Rink in 1960. The Washbourns have three sons, two daughters and four grandchildren. Also honoured today are special constable Stephen Woodcock from Louth; Frederick Panton from East Kirkby Aviation Centre; Colonel John Riggall from Grantham; and agricultural researcher James Godfrey from Ulceby.   County unsung heroes rewarded in honours THE New Year's honours announced today celebrate unsung heroes from all walks of life in Lincolnshire. Among them is a former poultry farmer who created one of the county's most popular tourist attractions. Fred Panton (71) established the East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre and has been rewarded with an MBE for his services to aviation heritage. He said: "This is wonderful, it's just sinking in at the moment. "I was very surprised and amazed that I have come to get it. It's a very pleasant shock." Mr Panton, from Tumby Lawn near Horncastle, lost his brother Christopher when the flight engineer's Halifax Bomber was shot down in the Second World War. Along with his other brother Harold, he decided to set up the heritage centre in 1987 and bought a Lancaster Bomber "as a memorial." Harold said: "This was a bolt out of the blue as far as I'm concerned and we're all very pleased for him. There is no question that he deserves it." Another person celebrating today is the chairman of a charity which supports servicemen in the county. Colonel John Riggall (73) will be made an Officer of the British Empire for his services to the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmens' Families Association in Lincolnshire. The retired serviceman is already a Member of the British Empire but he said yesterday that he was pleased the work of the charity had been recognised. "I'm delighted, obviously," he said. "This is very much an award for the charity and recognition of what it does in the county. I have enjoyed the work and it's very rewarding." Col Riggall joined the army in 1947 and served until 1982, when he was based at the Prince William Barracks in Grantham. He has been involved with the charity since his retirement in 1982 and has been chairman for a decade. "The biggest change is that we have increased the number of people we work with each year," he added. The charity was formed a century ago and gives support to more than 1,000 people in Lincolnshire with the help of 100 volunteers. Most people needing the charity's help are from the Second World War but serving personnel have also turned to its volunteers. Part-time policeman Stephen Woodcock (38) is the youngest man in the county to be made an MBE this time and was rewarded for services to the police. The primary school teacher from a village near Louth, who works for the Special Constabulary divisional of Lincolnshire Police, said he was "pleased but embarrassed" by the honour. "I work as part of a policing team so when an individual is singled out it is always a little embarrassing," he said. "What I enjoy most about police work is the sense of serving the community and being part of that team," he said. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goldsmith said: "Stephen has been fundamental to the success of the Lincolnshire Special Constabulary. "His background in teaching is very helpful in his training role and he gives total commitment and dedication." The life president of the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association Kenneth Beeken (68) from Scartho in Grimsby will also be made a MBE. "I'm very pleased, both for myself and for the industry," he said. "This brings my whole working life into perspective. "Going to Buckingham Palace and meeting a member of royalty is quite something for me and my family to look forward to." Mr Beeken has worked in the fishing industry for almost half a century and in 1964 masterminded the change over from train to road transportation following cuts in the railways. Chief executive of the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association, Steve Norton, said: "He has shown a life time commitment to the industry and still continues to work hard for our members today." The chairman of an influential agricultural research centre will be made an OBE as part of the New Years Honours List. James Godfrey from Ulceby, has also been rewarded for services to agricultural research for his work at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.