In memory of Simon who I first met through our love of cycling about 20 years ago and although not a lifetime we were close friends.
To me he was always kind, caring, thoughtful, supportive and never judgemental.
I considered Simon to be my closest friend. We had a mutual respect and gelled over our love of cycling and the outdoors, socialist ideology and a humorous disagreement about music. He helped me enormously with my recent health problems arranging to meet for walks and chats.
Our last very enjoyable cycling holiday at the end of September 2022 also with Mark based in Girona was a great success. I could talk to Simon about anything, and he was always supportive bringing a fresh perspective to a problem.
Simon had a great sense of humour often dry and teasing with a wry smile but never ridiculing or humiliating.
I learnt a lot from Simon, not just about politics, economics, government and intrigue but also about communication. I have a rather narrow field of knowledge which related to science and medicine. I always thought I was a good communicator listening empathetically and explaining calmly and understandably but in reality, this is just one small aspect. Simon showed me how I might be able to approach more difficult situations involving disagreement, negotiation and conflict. He was never passive or aggressive or a combination but always demonstrated a mature adult assertive style, true to himself, knew his mind and was never afraid to speak it.
He sometimes portrayed himself as a tough Northern man and in many ways he was but not far under the surface he was a kind, caring, thoughtful, loving, dedicated family man always doing his best for Sarah and his daughters. He was so proud of Elinor and Amy and revelled in telling us of their different lovable personalities and achievements. He loved and worshipped his wife “The Boss” Sarah referring to her as his alpha female.
Sarah asked me if I had any photos of me and Simon together and I had to confess that I am useless at selfies. Also, I wasn’t sure that Simon would have been comfortable if I had asked a waiter at our cycling cafe stop for a photo of us together!
I was slightly older than Simon and although not by many years I’m certainly from a previous musical era and my evening cycling trip playlist of heavy rock and blues certainly wasn’t to his taste. He considered me a bit of a musical dinosaur preferring new wave, electronic music and punk or post punk as he would have corrected me. However, we did agree on Joy Division and the Stone Roses. He also liked northern soul as did I but I couldn’t admit it as a teenager being in the wrong gang.
We often watched cycling together on trips and he laughed when I resorted to my Sean Kelly commentary impressions, but I was never entirely sure whether he was laughing at my impression or how bad they were.
We had often talked about a Belgium cobbled climbs cycling trip but sadly we never got ronde to it so when I do go, I’m sure he will be with me in spirit.
In many ways we were kindred spirits, and I often think of Simon, but I will always remember my best friend with great affection, his smiling face and gentle teasing.