Simon Ames

Simon Remembered

From Chris Gilbert
This is really sad news. I have really good memories of Simon. In fact, I met him before he joined BCAL.

It was 1977 and I was fortunate to be on the delivery flight of our very first DC-10 from Long Beach to Prestwick and then on to Gatwick. We had decided to go for the world speed record between the West Coast USA and Britain with our lightly loaded DC-10. The record was held by the RAF who in-flight refuelled fighter aircraft to achieve the fastest time. For an official world record to be set there needed to be an official observer, from the Royal Aeronautical Society I think, and that person was Simon Ames. We achieved our objective by cruising at Mach 86 instead of Mach 82. Shortly after that flight Simon joined BCAL.

He was a good man with a great sense of humour. I always enjoyed working with him on different projects. I believe Simon also did the commentaries at the Biggin Hill Air Shows for many years. He will be sadly missed.

From Doug Ledingham: RIP Simon, condolences to all the family and friends.

From Lindsay Biggin: RIP Simon. Condolences to his family.

From Caron Phillips: RIP and my sincere condolences to his family and friends

From Riaz Butt: RIP Simon, My condolences to his family and friends.

From Derek Jenkins: I remember Simon in British Caledonian Airways. RIP.

From Graham Waters: R.I.P. Simon.

From Alan Reeves: RIP Simon, well remembered

From Sally Ann Beischer
I remember Simon from our days in the Press Office. My condolences to Sally and the rest of the family. RIP Simon.

From Roger Warren: RIP Simon

From Richard Heywood
So sorry to hear this. Simon was such a gentleman and did an outstanding job for us at BCAL and also more recently in relation to Biggin Hill and Brooklands. A character who will be greatly missed. RIP Simon.

From Jim Will: RIP Simon.

From Walter Riggans: RIP Simon

From Fee Flee: So sorry to read this about Simon, him and my dad where great pals. Fly Free Simon.

From Angela Williams: RIP Simon

From Peter Kenworthy
I knew Simon well as he was GB Airways’ PR man for many years including a period after I joined the airline in 1993.

From George Banks
So sorry to hear this, I did not know him well but remember him well. My condolences to his wife and family. May he RIP

From Susie Douglas-Smith: My condolence to his family and friends

From Sally Simmonds: RIP, Simon

If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com

Condolences were extended by:

Tony Cocklin, Dave Thaxter, Susan Buckley, Fee Flee, Roger Moore, Ross Walter, Peter Durran, Caron Phillips, Christine Havers, Seona Craig, Christine Ritchie, Dudley Rice, Tricia Riley, Riaz Butt, Sylvia Murphy, Derek Jenkins, Nick Washington-Jones, Lindsay Smith, Julie Hourigan, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Kris Massie, Doug Ledingham, Frances Taylor, Phil Bowell,

Simon's Obituary from the Leigh Parish News

Simon Ames OBE
We are sorry to report the passing of Simon Ames on 14 January this year. Simon moved into the Parish in 1973 and worshipped in St Bartholomew’s throughout those 52 years. He was a strong community character who served on the Parish council for many years and was instrumental in securing the Motion Orchard for the benefit of the Parish.

Simon was born in 1936 in York where his Father (an Army Officer) was based at that time. During the War he moved around the country as his Father changed roles and his wider family gathered to ride out the war together. It was during this time that Simon’s love of aviation was ignited by his Uncle Mike Tritton who served as a Fleet Air Arm pilot in the Mediterranean and South East Asian conflict in the war. After a successful career at Eton College (where his Father had taught Physical Education), Simon joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1954, despite his Father’s clear preference for him to join the Army! Simon learnt to go to sea, fly fast jets, land on aircraft carriers and the professional disciplines that come with a military training, including a lifelong passion for sparkling shoes and a smart dress sense.

After a brief period racing cars, Simon married Sally in 1962 in London and he took a more desk based job as Secretary General of The Royal Aero Club in London. The yearbook of this fine institution describes him as the “always elegant” Simon Ames, indicating his dress sense was still with him! After 3 years in London, Simon and Sally moved to Reigate where Nicholas and Annabel, their 2 children were born. Simon quickly found the Redhill flying club or “The Tiger Club” as it was then. It was here that a unique grouping of similar minds gathered to share their love of acrobatics, air racing and general light aviation. Simon made many lifelong friends at the Tiger Club and it was from here and his roots at the Royal Aero club that he continued his contribution to aviation that became the signature of his career.

With his successful career in aviation to date, Simon was invited to join the fledgling airline British Caledonian in 1977. The Chairman (Sir Ian Thompson) was also a former Fleet Air Arm pilot and together with the courageous management team they grew the airline to a very serious global player in the course of 11 years. Simon’s role was the external image of the company and he was often found in Africa or America with the full British Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band attracting passengers to the delights of Scottish hospitality on board! When the airline was purchased by British Airways in 1988, Simon stepped back and set up his own Marketing and Communications business serving many local businesses and airlines.

Throughout these corporate activities Simon maintained his connections to aviation. He became Display Director of Biggin Hill Airshow in 1964 and remained in this role for a further 47 years. Some remarkable aircraft and displays were shown to the public during these shows and with routine performances from The Red Arrows, Spitfires, other WW1 and WW2 greats as well as the Harrier, Typhoon, Vulcan and even the Russian Sukhoi aircraft. There is no doubt that these shows served to inspire many young potential aviators to take up the challenge of a career in aviation just as Simon had been inspired by his Uncle during his young years.

It was however Simon’s role as Honorary Secretary of The Royal Air Squadron (RAS) for 36 years where his real inspiration of the next generation was undertaken. He was there at the beginning and helped shape this auspicious organisation into the formidable centre of aviation excellence that it is today. Every year the RAS awards prizes to the best Air Cadets and Swords of Honour to the best performing Air Cadet. Hundreds of young men and women have been encouraged into a career in aviation as a result of this work. It was in 2011 that Simon was awarded the OBE for his “Services to Aviation” in recognition of this work and his other activities in the sector.

Simon was also a Trustee of Brooklands, the former racing circuit and current airfield and was often seen there managing “Fly In” days where private pilots were encouraged to fly in and enjoy the delights of the heritage in aviation and motor racing that Brooklands has to offer. Furthermore Simon was a Trustee of St Catherine’s Hospice, Crawley for 21 years and Chair of the Board for 3 of those. He was instrumental in finding the first premises for the hospice. It is fitting that his final days were spent there in their extraordinary care.

Simon remained a strong family man throughout and despite his busy schedule always attended key family events. His love of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and organ music was shared with family and friends and more recently he enjoyed supporting the Leith Hill Music Festival with write ups for the local papers.

Simon’s health deteriorated following a Prostate cancer diagnosis in 2014 which impacted his kidneys. He never seemed to let this bother him and was visiting Biggin Hill in a business capacity to within 3 months of his death. As his health deteriorated he spent more time in the Parish and thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the community he had worshipped in for 52 years in a more active capacity. He is survived by his Wife Sally, two children, Nick and Annabel and 6 Grandchildren, Ben, Barney, Boris, Florence, Rocco and Alice.

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