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SCUNTHORPE TELEGRAPH Thursday, September 10, 2009

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THE boys in blue who patrol Lincolnshire villages such as Messingham will soon become the men in black, after Lincolnshire Police got the green light to introduce a new uniform. Gone are the white shirts and black trousers currently worn by the forces sergeants and constables. These are to be replaced by black polo shirts and combat trousers. The new kit will enable officers to wear their equipment on body armour, instead of having it on their waist belts. And three-quarter length Gore-Tex jackets will replace the current blousons. Officers will, however, be provided with more formal clothing for court appearances and for other special occasions. And talks are taking place about introducing standard footwear, as they are currently expected to provide their own. The new look officers are expected to be on the streets before the end of the year, after the forces application for an image change was approved by the Lincolnshire Police Authority . Police Community Support Officers will also be given a wardrobe makeover and will be issued with blue polo shirts instead of white shirts. Deputy Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said a detailed consultation had revealed what officers wanted. The two most ALL CHANGE: The old striking issues were police uniform will be a officers asking for thing of the past for Linmodern shirts and colnshire officers. trousers, he said. The job of a constable is often gruesome. They can be dealing with accident victims or rooting about searching for things. They wanted something they could throw in the washing machine, take out and look smart with minimal ironing. The uniform is for the 21st century .

Men in black look for our boys in blue

ITEMS currently placed inside the box include: The order of service and video footage from the repatriation ceremony A Help4Heroes badge and his wristband of the Light Dragoons Photographs taken at the local charity memorial football match, organised by his former team The Beacons. The condolence book and photo album at The Beacon Hotel will be added to the collection of memories. Miss Blakey said the memory box will be open for as long as people keep submitting their memories. If you have anything you would like to contribute, call Miss Blakey on 07752 468679.

CAN YOU HELP?

A CHANCE to learn about the ancient craft of spinning is on offer at North Lincolnshire Museum this weekend. The Lincolnshire Heritage Open Event is on Saturday, between 11am and 3pm. There will be an opportunity to have a go on a Victorian spinning wheel, to discover how our ancestors produced clothing. Entry is free and it is particularly suitable for families.

Museum all in a spin

We want Harvey to know about his dad

Familys bid to keep tragic soldiers memory alive
Adult Ed availa ucation is ble fo over th r anyon e e 16 and age of left sc has hool

MEMENTO: Abigail Blakey with grandson Harvey (one) looking at the wristband given to them by the Commander of the Light Dragoons, the regiment of soldier Anthony Lombardi. It is part of a memory box they are putting together.

Its not too late to enrol! Believe you can achieve

North Lincolnshire Council Adult Education Service
Courses start week commencing 14 September Contact your local Adult Education Centre for more details. Ashby Link Adult Education and Multimedia Centre Barton Adult Education Centre Brigg Adult Education Centre Brumby Adult Community Learning Centre

Tel: 01724 862217 Tel: 01652 632994 Tel: 01652 657204 Tel: 01724 747200

But in a bid to keep his memory and spirit alive for Harvey in years to come, Anthonys friends, colleagues and former school mates are being urged to help fill a treasured box of memories. Ellies mother Abigail Blakey said anyone who wants to share special memories, photographs or tales of Tinny should contact her. Its a happy box, not a sad box, she said. We want people to write about things like his worst goal or favourite joke so that when Harvey reads it, it will make him laugh, she said. In launching the appeal for pictures,

TRAGIC soldier Anthony Lom- by Selina Maycock bardi will forever be in the hearts selina.maycock@gsmg.co.uk of his family and friends especially his beloved fiancee Ellie memoirs and souvenirs to capture every aspect of Anthonys life, Miss Blakey and one-year-old son Harvey.
reminisced about some key moments. She said: His headteacher gave a fantastic speech at the funeral service he or anyone else might have a school photo with Anthony on. Or maybe, around two years ago, when he dressed up as Barney Rubble for a night out, we would love to see these photos. Also it would be nice if someones got a photo of him wearing his full military uniform or have taken photographs from the repatriation ceremony . Maybe there are people out in Afghanistan or anyone who was with him

Well never forget our shining star

Continued from page 1 The day after Anthony died we started a memory box for Harvey, said Miss Blakey, 52, of Scunthorpe. When hes older Harvey will have the history of his dad and we want to mark all aspects of it really. He was such a good dad and its only fair that Harvey gets to know of all Anthonys friends even if it can only be through photographs. As well as the memory box, Ellie and friends are keeping Anthonys memory alive with tattoos designed as a mark of remembrance. On her left forearm it reads Anthony our shining star complete with a star emblem at the side. I dont like tattoos, but it had to be done, she added. The memory box contains iconic items, ranging from Anthonys early years to his favourite Gucci aftershave. Every article from the newspapers weve cut out and put in a special album, Miss Blakey said. At the wake we took a photograph of all Anthonys best friends holding Harvey and the lads from the squad.

adulteducation.enquiries@northlincs.gov.uk

A couple of Anthonys friends have written happy letters to go in the box. Anthony died just weeks before Harveys first birthday. It was sad that Anthony couldnt celebrate it, she said. Weve kept all Harveys first birthday cards in the box along with the sympathy cards and cards from flowers, as well as letters from Gordon Brown and Prince Philip. Cfn Lombardi was killed while on patrol in Babaji District, Southern Helmand Province.

when he was based at Catterick, North Yorkshire, who would like to share their photos. Or even nurses at Scunthorpe General Hospital, where Harvey was born, if they have any . Miss Blakey added: What the papers have said about him since his death was true he was the life and soul. It would be nice if anyone who sends in photographs could jot down who they are so that we can write it in the album. The trove will be handed over to Harvey at a special time in the future. Harvey already recognises his dads pictures. When hes old enough to understand we will give him the box probably when he starts asking questions the time will be right. She said Anthony was a doting dad who believed his son would become a footballer when he was older and added: As a joke we told him hes going to be a ballet dancer instead. Anthony, known as Lombo or Tinny to his friends, was a football fanatic who supported Liverpool and played in the Scunthorpe United Academy team as a youngster. He also represented the Army Youth Team and the REME at football. If football was on the television Anthony would be watching it, Miss Blakey said. While Anthony bravely served in Afghanistan he endeavoured to make daily contact with his family in Scunthorpe. Almost every day he would ring from Afghanistan, she said. There werent many days when he didnt phone home. I spoke to him over the internet as well. The last time I saw Tinny was when he was in our back garden in summer. It was the Sunday of the Gala. He came through the garden to ask who was coming to the fete. So now if we want to talk to Tinny we sit out in the garden at home hes the biggest brightest star in the sky .