Latest news with #SimonEvans
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stephen Atkinson elected as Reform leader of Lancashire County Council
The new leader of Lancashire County Council will be Reform UK's councillor Stephen party took control of the authority after winning 53 of the 84 seats at the local elections on 1 who was leader of Ribble Valley Council before defecting from the Conservatives, was elected to the county council to represent Ribble Valley South West with 2,174 55-year-old said: "I am passionate about Lancashire and can't wait to start working to ensure the council delivers excellent services for all our residents." Born in Lancashire, the self-trained engineer started his first business venture with his brother at the age of now run an educational furniture business as well as invest in commercial and industrial properties in the county. 'Make a difference' Atkinson, who is married with two sons, describes himself as a devoted family said: "Together with my fellow councillors I will be looking to focus our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference."I'm also very much looking forward to working with officers as we build a better future for our county."Atkinson is expected to be ratified as council leader at a meeting of the full council on 22 May, Lancashire County Council Councillor Simon Evans, member for Skelmersdale Central, was elected deputy leader of the Reform UK group and is also expected to be ratified at the meeting along with councillors selected to form the sweep to victory at the local elections saw it take the seats of the leaders of both the Conservative and Labour council leader Philippa Williamson lost her seat to Reform's Graham Dalton by 29 votes, and Labour leader Matthew Tomlinson had his seat taken off him by Hannah Whalley by 440 Conservatives had previously held the council with 46 seats since 2017 having won the election then and again in 2021. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion: Minette Batters is a welcome farming appointment at the heart of government
Simon Evans, agricultural partner at , discusses Minette Batters' new role. The news that former NFU president Minette Batters – now Baroness Batters – has been appointed by DEFRA to lead a review of farm profitability has been widely welcomed within the agriculture sector. Batters is well-respected both as an active farmer and for the way she led the NFU through some tricky times. Her new role will be to listen to farmers and growers, as well as engaging with other government departments whose work impacts farmers. She will then propose actions for government and industry that will support farming profitability as part of the government's 'New Deal for Farmers'. Simon Evans, agricultural partner at Arnolds Keys – Irelands Agricultural (Image: Arnolds Keys) A standard first task for anyone starting in a new role like this is to conduct a SWOT analysis, and it won't take her long to realise that there are rather fewer entries in the 'Strengths' and 'Opportunities' columns than there are in the 'Weaknesses' and 'Threats'. In those bulging 'W' and 'T' boxes will be the measures announced in the autumn Budget, the sudden closure to new applications of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), global political uncertainty, and the danger of food and farming getting caught in the crossfire of President Trump's 'Liberation Day' trade wars. But the other side of the analysis is not entirely empty. Resilience remains a key strength of farming, and while opportunities may seem limited at the moment, if government action can bring stability through its spending choices and its international diplomatic efforts, then agriculture could be in a good place to take advantage, especially with a renewed focus on food security (thanks to that global uncertainty), which means that farming will be – or certainly should be – a higher priority in government thinking. Having someone like Minette Batters working at the heart of DEFRA, presumably aiming to build some much-needed bridges between government and farming, can only be a good thing. The fact that there is a new 'Profitability Unit' within DEFRA is encouraging, and we have to hope that this is something more than warm words and good intentions. In the DEFRA press release announcing her appointment, Batters is quoted as saying: 'There will not be one 'silver bullet' to fire but I'm hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation's food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment.' If those words had come from a politician, then many farmers would have taken them with a liberal sprinkling of salt. We have to hope that spoken by the respected former NFU president, they mean rather more than that. For more information, visit
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Inquests open after three teens die in car crash
Inquests into the deaths of three teenagers killed in a car crash in Shropshire are to resume in the summer after being opened and adjourned on Thursday. Simon Evans, 18, and 17-year-olds Jacob Holman and Jenson Bridges, were travelling in an Audi A1 on Offoxey Road in Tong, near Shifnal, when the crash happened last Friday night, Shropshire Coroner's Court heard. A fourth teenager, aged 17, who hasn't been named, is in hospital with life-changing injuries. Adjourning proceedings until 8 July, assistant coroner Heath Westerman said his "heartfelt sympathies" went out to the three families and all those who knew the teenagers. The court heard how student and chef Simon Evans from Perton, Staffordshire, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jacob Holman, a trainee chef from Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, died in hospital the following day, while shopfitter Jenson Bridges, from Brewood, Staffordshire, died in hospital on Sunday. The family of Simon Evans, a passenger in the car, paid tribute to him on Wednesday, saying: "Simon was just a lovely, friendly person, always with a smile on his face, he was so family-orientated, and would do absolutely anything for his friends who he was very loyal to." Police investigating the crash have appealed for information and dashcam footage. Insp Steph Arrowsmith said the force believed the Audi had been travelling with a red Vauxhall Corsa and a black Volkswagen Golf. "The vehicles were not involved in the collision in any way but we're hoping motorists in the area may remember seeing the three vehicles together," he said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Family pays tribute to 18-year-old crash victim Three teenagers killed in car crash West Mercia Police
The Independent
19-03-2025
- The Independent
Family pay tribute to ‘loving and kind' 18-year-old among three killed in Shropshire car crash
The family of an 18-year-old who was among three teenagers killed in a car crash in Shropshire have paid tribute to him as a 'loving and kind gentleman'. Simon Evans had been a passenger in the silver Audi A1 when it crashed in Tong, near Shifnal, just after 11pm on Friday. The teenager from Wolverhampton – who was described by his family as 'the glue that held' his 'amazing' friendship group together – died at the scene of the crash on Offoxey Road. Jacob Holeman, a 17-year-old from Codsall in Staffordshire, died in hospital later on Saturday. The following day, Jenson Bridges, also 17, from Brewood in Staffordshire, died in hospital as a result of his injuries. Another teenager, also aged 17, sustained life-changing injuries but is in a stable condition. Describing Simon as 'just a lovely, friendly person always with a smile on his face', his family said in a statement released via West Mercia Police: 'He was so family orientated and would do absolutely anything for his friends, who he was very loyal to.' They added: 'Whenever they were together, there was always laughter. 'He loved to be outside, and he loved spending time in Cornwall with us and our friends. He was adventurous. He was kind and thoughtful to all those that met him. 'He had so many hobbies, he was a blue belt in Taekwondo and he even became world champion, before he moved onto his next hobby, of which there were many. Simon also tried his hand at fishing, darts, mountain biking, pool and most recently golf. He also loved his car and would always be tinkering with it alongside his brother. 'Recently Simon had been given a promotion to sous chef at the restaurant he worked at part-time, which he was so proud of, and so were we. He was excited to be included in new ideas for the restaurant and felt proud to be part of their team and family. He also attended a college course of which he was excelling in studying light vehicle mechanics. 'Nothing was too much for Simon, he would do anything to help anyone, and all those who knew Simon would describe him as funny, loving and caring. 'Simon is a much-loved son, brother, grandson and friend who will be sorely missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He really was a gentleman older than his years.' Police are continuing to investigate the collision and are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. Officers are looking to hear from anyone who may have been travelling through Bishops Wood and Brewood at around 11pm, as they believe the Audi travelled along Port Lane and Kiddemore Green Road ahead of the incident. The families of those involved continue to ask that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time. Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Rich Owen on 07814773916 or to email SCIUNorth@ quoting incident number 554i of 14 March, 2025
The Independent
18-03-2025
- The Independent
Third teenager dies after Shropshire crash
A third teenager has died following a car crash in Shropshire. A silver Audi A1 crashed just after 11pm on Friday on Offoxey Road in Tong, near Shrifnal. West Mercia Police have confirmed that 17-year-old Jenson Bridges from Brewood in Staffordshire, died as a result of his injuries on Sunday. A further two teenagers also died last week following the crash. Despite the best efforts of emergency services 18-year-old Simon Evans from Perton in Wolverhampton, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jacob Holeman, 17, from Codsall in Staffordshire died in hospital later on Saturday. Another teenager also aged 17, sustained life-changing injuries but is in a stable condition. Inspector Steph Arrowsmith, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: 'Sadly, three teenagers have died, and one remains in hospital with life-changing injuries in this tragic incident and our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected. 'We continue to carry out enquiries into the collision and I would like to thank everybody who has contacted us so far with information to assist with our investigation. 'We are still appealing to anyone else who may have been on Offoxey Road on Friday night to get in contact. We are also keen to hear from anyone who may have been travelling through Bishops Wood and Brewood around 11pm, as we believe the Audi travelled along Port Lane and Kiddemore Green Road ahead of the incident. 'We believe the Audi was travelling together with a red Vauxhall Corsa and a black VW Golf. The vehicles were not involved in the collision in any way, but we're hoping motorists in the area may remember seeing the three vehicles together.' Anyone with information is footage is asked to contact DC Rich Owen on 07814773916 or SCIUNorth@ quoting incident number 554 of 14 March.
