R.I.P. - Robert Bridge

I'm sorry to say we have lost one of our members, Robert Bridge from Winterton. Robert started ringing in the early 1960's when he was an active member. He has been the treasurer for some 20 years or more and although he was not often very at practise nights he could be relied on to make up a band when required.

The funeral took place on Friday 21st August. The Eulogy that was read at the funeral is reproduced below.

Robert Anthony Bridge 1946 to 2020

Robert was born in November 1946 in Scunthorpe to Eddie and Jessie Bridge. He was the eldest of 4 children, he had one brother Michael who sadly passed away in 2002 and two sisters Trish and Amanda.

He attended Winterton Church of England school before continuing his education at Scunthorpe Technical School. After leaving school he started work in the offices at Appleby Frodingham Steel works, later British Steel, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

He married Enid in 1969 and they had one son Christopher. 3½ years ago Chris and his wife Kirsty presented him with a grandson Louis, who was the apple of his eye.

Bob was always a very proud Wintonian. In his youth Bob was a good tennis player, enjoyed canoeing and in later life took up golf and bowls adding to an active passion for hiking around the countryside. After his retirement he became an enthusiastic traveller, spending many holidays abroad and relaxing on cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean with their friends of over 50 years, Jill and Ed. Bob also enjoyed weekends away with friends, the Lions and the Walking Group, his favourite places being Helmsley and Grassington.

But Bob will mostly be remembered for his activities outside of work and family, including his work for the Youth Service, starting out at Winterton Youth Centre, helping to build up the club into the fantastic centre it became in the Sixties and Seventies, and completing his involvement with the Youth Service in Brigg where he was a valued and respected member of staff, popular with both the members and his colleagues.

The foundation was now laid for a life of voluntary service to the Community of Winterton. A devout member of All Saints Church, Bob had an excellent singing voice and was also a keen campanologist taking part in some memorable peals. Winterton Town Council was very fortunate when Bob was elected to the Council in the Eighties. A hard working councillor he served as the Town Mayor and he and Enid represented Winterton at numerous local events and civic functions throughout the County of Humberside. In meetings Bob was always the voice of reason and his conciliatory arguments often carried the vote. During his second spell on the council, after his co-option, Bob continued his good work, although he was the first to admit he was not keen on the virtual meetings of the council held because of the current pandemic, he very much liked to be able to discuss matters face to face rather than remotely.

In 1999, Bob and Enid were recruited to become charter members of the newly formed Winterton and District Lions Club. He soon became a prominent member of the club, helping at all their fund raising events and social work within Winterton and the surrounding villages. He was perfect for the role of Santa on the Lions Buggy Run around the villages, with his silver hair and imposing height, he was in demand to attend the local schools and dinners over the festive season. He became club Treasurer and was fastidious in his accounting procedures. As the club President he not only enjoyed the fund raising aspects of Lionism but also the social side of the organisation, attending charter dinners, weekends away in the Yorkshire Dales, hiking in the Peak District and, in the early days, cruising on the Humber, Trent and Ouse on the sailing keels under sail from Ferriby Sluice.

Bob's work with the Lions was so much appreciated he was elected Zone Chairman, representing clubs in North Lincolnshire and those in the area around Lincoln. Bob epitomised the true spirit of the Lions International organisation, whose motto is "We serve"

Bob was a truly rounded person, a happy and loving family man, loyal employee, devoted Christian, someone who contributed so much to his fellow man and his community, tireless charity worker, respected councillor but most of all a brilliant friend who will be greatly missed on so many levels by so many people.

Rest in peace, Bob.

Brian Gilchrist
Secretary-West Lindsey Branch
Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers