TWO community stalwarts have been recognised for their outstanding work with prestigious awards in this year's New Year's Honours List.
Gerald Parkes, the founder and owner of Parkway Cinemas – which has branches in Cleethorpes and Louth – will be made an MBE by the Queen for his longstanding services to the cinema industry.
And Geoff Bartholomew, who runs the Discoveries Football Club, will receive a newly reintroduced BEM (British Empire Medal), for 40 years' work with youth football in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The proud duo will find out in the next six months when they will be presented with their accolades.
Well-known cinema expert Gerald, 68, began to change our cinema experience in 1996 when he opened the Playhouse in Louth.
He said: "It was a complete surprise and shock to find out I was nominated for an MBE.
"I am so proud of my company and what we have achieved over the years – but it isn't just me who has made it happen, it is everyone around me."
Gerald, who built the Parkway Cinema multiplex cinema in Cleethorpes in 2004, first began working in the industry in 1960 as a rewind boy at Wakefield's ABC Regal.
He added: "I can't wait to be presented with the award and it's a shock that it has happened to the likes of me.
"I believe a good cinema should be involved and part of the community – as well as treating my 70 staff properly.
"In 1983 I established Parkway Entertainment at the Regal, Worksop in 1985.
"I decided to go independent because I thought I could do a better job myself."
Gerald, who is a longstanding representative for the North of England branch of Cinema Exhibitors, said when he opened the nine-screen multiplex Cleethorpes cinema he knew there would be a knock-on affect at the Louth screens.
He said: "With Louth only being 20 minutes away, I knew that the profits of it would decline.
"But it is such a beautiful cinema and that is why I recently had it refurbished – even though it was a difficult decision to make, I listened to my heart rather than my head.
"I am currently looking at opening a new cinema in the centre of Beverle y with CDC architects."
Gerald said the film industry is a passion of his and he believes the cinema experience is most important for customers.
He said: "Films are produced to be shown in the cinema for people to enjoy the theatrical experience.
"Being with an audience and watching a film makes it so special.
"I am so proud to have been entertaining and enriching people's lives for many years."
His wife Denise said: "He's been part of the cinema world for most of his life and it is not just a business, but a passion of his.
"He has worked so hard and I am immensely proud of his achievements."
Geoff, 63, of Grimsby, is to be honoured with the BEM for his years of dedication to making football available for children of all ages and ability.
He has run and organised football teams and training competitions at Discoveries Football Club for thousands of local children over the years – and he is now currently the secretary.
Through the club, he has also raised significant amounts for charitable causes by walks and bicycle rides.
He said: "I have such a strange mixture of emotions about this award and I have a lot of pride in what I have done over the years.
"When I was younger, I was told I wasn't good enough to play football, which is why I wanted to make it available for children of all ages."
Geoff was the chairman of The Grade League Sports Junior football league for seven years from 1990.
He was also the co-founder of The Louth and District Under-16 Football League with Collin Little and Phil Hardy.
He added: "I have been reflecting back and many people have made me believe in me, such as Gerry Durey and the late "Big" Bill Humberston – who I played with at North Somercotes United in 1966.
"I am also proud to see children progress and I have a dozen who are now in America on football scholarships."
