Sims, Noel – The constant rebel

Noel Sims (1932-2014)

COLSTERWORTH born Noel lived in the village all of his life and was married to Shirley for 55 years.

After finishing school he went to work for Cecil Blankley at Gem Coaches due to his fascination with lorries, cars, and machines in general and attended Grantham College for Further Education part-time to learn mechanics.

He joined the Army for his National Service in 1952 with the 76th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, stationed on the Isle of Wight, where he later honeymooned with his wife.

He left the Army having gained his full PSV bus licence and returned to work for Gem Coaches.

Four years later he left Gem to join British Steel  then set-up in business as A1 Motors and Engineering,  recovering vehicles involved in collisions and break-downs in the area.

Mr Sims was highly skilled and respected in his work, and helped many people throughout his life due to his kindness and generosity. He enjoyed taking trips out in the car and daily walks in the village.

Ever the rebel, should ever a refrigerator lorry leave its engine running at night at overnight stop next to his home, he would get our his Second World War air raid siren for ‘revenge’.

Then in 2008, Noel and Shirley fought plans to demolish their home to make way for a slip road off the A1 at Colsterworth.

Their home became the subject of a compulsory purchase order submitted by the Highways Agency.

They refused to budge but were finally evicted from their home of 36 years.

Such was his reputation, a team of specialist police officers entered the house along with an explosives sniffer dog to check for booby traps, just in case.