Tree to be planted in Skegness in memory of much-loved Deputy Mayor

A commemorative tree is to be planted as a tribute to Skegness' Deputy Mayor, who recently died of Covid-19.
Coun Jim Carpenter (left) as Deputy Moyar, with the Mayor, Coun Mark Dannatt.Coun Jim Carpenter (left) as Deputy Moyar, with the Mayor, Coun Mark Dannatt.
Coun Jim Carpenter (left) as Deputy Moyar, with the Mayor, Coun Mark Dannatt.

The tree in memory of Coun Jim Carpenter will be planted in the town's Memorial Gardens - one of many projects he helped launch during his political career.

Mayor of Skegness Coun Mark Dannatt invited councilors to come up with ideas as to how Coun Carpenter could be remembered and they were shared during Wednesday night's zoom meeting of the full town council.

After being contacted by former town councillor John Byford on behalf of Skegness' twin town in Germany, he said a tree was going to be planted in memory of Coun Carpenper, who represented the town on several trips there, during Bad Gandersheim's State Garden Show in 2022.

Donations have been invited to be made to  St Barnabas House Hospice at Home , which was the Coun Jim Carpenter's charity when he was Mayor.Donations have been invited to be made to  St Barnabas House Hospice at Home , which was the Coun Jim Carpenter's charity when he was Mayor.
Donations have been invited to be made to St Barnabas House Hospice at Home , which was the Coun Jim Carpenter's charity when he was Mayor.

Town clerk Steve Larner, said staff at the council had thought hard on how they could show their respects to Coun Carpenter locally.

"We knew Coun Carpenter was very ill but his death still came as a great shock to us," said Mr Larner.

"He always treated staff with great respect - he was a true gentleman.

"We would therefore like to put a tree in the Garden of Remembrance, along with a plaque.

"Coun Carpenter was involved in transforming the cemetery in the early stages and we believe it would be a fitting tribute.

"Coun Carpenter's Mayoral charity was St Barnabas House Hospice at Home, which like other charities have suffered desperately during the pandemic and so we would suggest any donations made in his memory go there."

The Mayor joined other councillors in expressing their sadness at Coun Carpenter's loss.

"I first met Jim during the elections," recalled Coun Dannatt.

"He was a people person and for Skegness and that will be reflected in everyone's tributes."

Among those sharing memories were Coun Tony Tye, who described Coun Carpenter as a 'true gentleman'., and Coun George Saxon, who recalled enjoying family caravan holidays with him.

Coun Dick Edginton added: "I always found Jim a likeable chap with a very zany sense of humour.

"The fact he lost his life earlier than his time is a tragedy."

Coun Mark Anderson said said he had known Coun Carpenter for 38 years from when they worked together on Lincolnshire RoadCar.

"Jim was a genuine person," he said. "He started as a driver and worked his way up through managerment as I took a different direction through management.

"He was my Deputy Mayor during my father's illness and stood in for me on many occasions - Jim always said 'yes' to me.

"Jim cared for Skegness which was his adoptive town having come from Scunthorpe.

""He worked hard to ensure we had a good transport systerm and many of the routes we have now were secured thanks to Jim."

Coun Danny Brookes said his father worked with Coun Carpenter on the buses. "I have known him since I was a child and he was always joking and had a smile. He will be sadly missed."

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