Former Corby civic leader honoured by bench in East Carlton Park

A bench has been unveiled in memory of Cllr Joe Sims, who was a key Labour member of Corby Council during the period after the closure of the town's steelworks.

The bench has been placed in East Carlton Park under the Blenheim Oak Tree planted by Joe in his capacity as chairman of Corby District Council in 1992.

Cllr Sims died aged 83 in October last year and his beloved wife Monica died aged 84 just a few months later on February 12 this year. Joe was also a magistrate, a civil engineering manager at British Steel Civil and was awarded the British Empire Medal.

Their son, Conservative Councillor David Sims, unveiled the bench funded by Corby Borough Council in the shadow of the steel artefacts that are placed around the park thanks to his father's efforts to ensure that they weren't lost to the town when the steelworks closed.

Cllr Sims said: "I’m very grateful and pleased that CBC agreed to install a memorial bench at East Carlton Park in memory of my late father marking work and dedication to Corby, the town he loved that became his home.

"The bench is located under the Blenheim Oak tree he planted. My late father was also a civil engineering manager at British Steel Civil which helped him in organising and securing many of the items you see on display in the park reminding generations to come of the towns past Steel work days.

"My mother also sadly passed away a few months later but I’m pleased to say she is also remembered with an inscription."

Cllr Sims has also asked Corby Council to name a street after his late father.