Passing of Julie Bates

 11th May 1961 - 22nd January 2024

Flags in Horsington are at half mast to mark the passing of Julie Bates, who died suddenly last month at the end of what she said was an idyllic holiday on Aruba in the Dutch Caribbean. Julie was an ebullient, forthright, positive, loyal Yorkshire woman who moved to the village with her husband Chris nearly eight years ago. She loved every aspect of life in the area -- attending coffee mornings, social events, the bingo at Bucknall with a covey of friends. She was a prominent player for the Hunter's Leap pub in Washingborough for their cribbage team. Julie was minutes' secretary of the Horncastle History and Heritage Society and a volunteer on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway at Skegness.

Julie was as much at home in Buckingham Palace chatting to the late Queen Elizabeth II and joking with the future King Charles III, as she was in the company of everyone else. She came from a working class home in 'Bronte Country' near Keighley, but could trace her ancestry back to William Shakespeare's family. She had travelled to some of the most remote places on earth: Tristan da Cunha (four times, as her husband Chris was the island's representative in the outside world), St. Helena, Pitcairn Island, Niue Island and to French Polynesia, Russia, the Baltic States, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and widely throughout Europe and the UK.

Before moving to Horsington nearly eight years ago, she worked as National Coordinator for the trade body UK Tram, and previously for the Midland Metro, Centro's Rail Section, Birmingham University and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, after starting her working life in textile mills around Keighley. She loved life in Horsington and relished her many friendships in the village.

Julie is survived by siblings David and Jill, her husband Chris (chairman of Horsington Parish Council) and stepson Rob Bates.

Her funeral will be held on Friday 23rd February at 1.30 pm in All Saints Parish Church, Horsington.

All are welcome to attend and for light refreshments afterwards at Charles Hill Community Hall Horsington.

Donations in lieu of flowers or otherwise in memory of Julie appreciated in support of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance at  www.ambucopter.org.uk There will also be a collection box in the church. Thank you.

Julie's family have been overwhelmed and humbled by the kindness, condolences and practical help given by so many - here in the UK, Aruba and beyond.

7th  February 2024.