Champion of the people who was awarded an OBE

One of Lincoln’s best-loved champions of the people, Frank Eccleshare, died on 23 January, 2008, at the age of 96.

Mr Eccleshare served at RAF Scampton, RAF Coningsby and RAF Woodhall Spa in the Second World War before returning to his trade as a master builder.

But it was concern about the standards of housing old people were living in, that he saw in his work as a builder, which led him to set up the Lincoln Association for the Care of the Elderly (Lace).

Lace Housing’s first project was the development of Rasen House in 1966 and today the organisation serves the needs of hundreds of elderly people across the city.

He was a city councilor and became mayor of Lincoln in 1966. During his mayoral year Mr Eccleshare began the Civic Award scheme to honour community heroes.

Recipients of the award have included the Lincolnshire Echo, Dial-a-Ride and St Barnabas Hospice, as well as Mr Eccleshare himself, who won the accolade in 2000 for his work with Lace Housing.

He was awarded an OBE in 1978, also in recognition of his work with Lace.

Mr Eccleshare served as chairman of both Lincoln City Football Club and Lincolnshire social services, as well as being a lifelong president of Age Concern Lincoln and an honorary freeman of Lincoln.

His contribution to local politics lasted until 1980, when he retired from the county council.

Mr Eccleshare died at Morton Court in Ashby Avenue, Lincoln, a Lace home where he lived.

He was survived by two sons, Peter and Mike, a daughter Patricia, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife Kathleen died in 1996.