Letter from Sir Matt in 1968 and film star to open cinema in 1993

This week (July 18 edition) in 1968 ...
Old Leake Primary School sports day in 1993. Spot the 90s mascots.Old Leake Primary School sports day in 1993. Spot the 90s mascots.
Old Leake Primary School sports day in 1993. Spot the 90s mascots.

A 13-year-old boy from Mareham le Fen who lost his right leg in a road accident received a letter from Manchester United manager, Sir Matt Busby.

Before the incident, Raymond Daubney had wanted to become a professional footballer and play for United.

“I’m a bit disappointed, but it can’t be helped, can it?” he said.

Raymond’s plight and interest in United was brought to the attention of Sir Matt by a local resident.

“I opened the letter and read right through it, but I couldn’t really believe it was from him,” Raymond said.

Raymond also received a letter from the supporters’ club and team, a history of the club, pen portraits of the players, and a souvenir programme of the European Championship semi-final at Old Trafford from April.

* Scrap merchant Bert Walden, 28, got more than he bargained when a cardboard box containing old toys was handed in at his yard in Cheyney Street, Boston.

After the box was weighed, it came to a surprising 4st 10lb – leading to the discovery of a 25lb smoke bomb at the bottom of it.

Police arranged for the device to be collected by personnel from RAF Coningsby.

This week in 1993 ...

* International film star Jeremy Irons had agreed to open the new cinema screen at Blackfriars Arts Centre, in Spain Lane, Boston.

The Standard had revealed in May that the actor – who would voice Scar in The Lion King the following year – had been invited to attend September’s planned gala opening.

The evening would champagne corks popped, a screening of Waterland (starring Irons), and a display of the props used in the film, which was shot near Holbeach.

* Agriculture minister Earl Howe and scores of invited guests helped Kirton business Elgro celebrate the completion of its £1 million packhouse project.

The investment followed a re-organisation of the brassica division of the company.

The money was spent on refurbishing the vegetable packhouse and adding an extra state-of-the-art rapid chill and cold storage facilities.

Almost 50 growers with 7,200 acres between them were members of Elgro.

* Bomb disposal exerts were called to Wrangle when an unexploded artillery shell was found on farm land.

Members of the unit exploded the shell and there was no danger to the public, police later said.