Simon Cherry (55-65) was born in York, some ten minutes after his identical twin brother Paul (55-65) who also attended Pocklington School and who sadly died in 2013. His father’s family came from Darlington and many of his relatives lived at Reeth, whilst their mother’s family came from the Vale of York, and so Simon was proudly able to call himself a true Yorkshireman.

Simon spent most of the first eight years of his life in Africa living in Uganda, Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and northern Nigeria where his father worked for the then Colonial Service. Simon and Paul became Pocklington boarders in 1955 at the age of eight.

Simon was an accomplished sportsman, representing the school in its swimming team, shooting at Bisley and participating in the school CCF. He also learnt to ride and competed in equestrian events as his love for animals developed. He continued to visit Nigeria for the summer holidays until his father returned home in 1965 to become bursar of a school in the East Riding. In 1966, Simon went to Royal Dick’s School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh and, after five years of studying, graduated in 1970 when he joined the Norwood Veterinary Group in Beverley. Simon looked after a wide range of domestic pets through to larger animals and farm livestock. It was clear from the very beginning he was going to be an outstanding vet, and he quickly developed an enviable reputation because of his dedication and professionalism, ensuring he did the best for every animal under his care. He never shirked getting up in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures to help deliver a young calf or lamb on a remote farm. Because he had a genuine empathy for the animals he was treating, he was much appreciated by all his clients and particularly the farmers. His professional peers had a huge respect for him including the late Alf Wight better known as ‘James Herriot’.

Simon left Beverley in 1975 to work with the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and Dairy Farm looking after their horses and a herd of 500 cows in multi-storey stables and cowsheds on the very built-up Hong Kong Island. He was one of less than twenty vets in Hong Kong at the time and therefore something of a trailblazer. Whilst there he was able to indulge in his passion for sailing and entered yacht races (including the 600 mile South China Sea Race to Manila) where Simon’s competency and calm and measured approach was much appreciated by his crewmates.

Simon returned to England in 1981 and re-joined Norwood Veterinary Group in Beverley as a Partner where he worked for 24 years becoming Senior Partner before retiring in 2005. All his many clients and colleagues were delighted to welcome him back and the practice thrived under his leadership. He undertook a huge range of activities, beyond just running a successful veterinary practice, including food hygiene and meat inspections before export from Hull Docks, teaching at Bishop Burton College, lecturing and writing veterinary papers and he even wrote a textbook on ‘Pig Management’. One of his proudest moments was when his horse, Aradanza, won the William Hill Trophy Handicap Cup at York Racecourse in 1993.

After previous marriages Simon married Ruth at St Paul’s Church, Aldbrough St John on New Year’s Eve in 2016. He so appreciated finding such happiness with Ruth and her family over the last 14 years and lived in the village becoming part of the community. Ruth and Simon were able to fulfil their joint passion for travel and visited Simon’s beloved Africa, Central and South America, the Galapagos Islands, India and Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia, Italy, the Canaries, Mallorca and many more.

Simon suffered from Alzheimer’s and Ruth and the family did an outstanding job of looking after him, keeping him at home for as long as possible. His funeral took place on 16 June 2026 at the church in which he was married.

Those who knew Simon will remember the many good times they have enjoyed in his company – that unique laugh, the smile, the many chats and stories from a life well-lived.

(John Hoyle, 58-65)