Neil Evans passed away on the 17th June 2020 aged 70 years. Neil Joined the Somerset Fire Brigade, Retained Service in 1971 providing cover for Minehead and the surrounding district. He would initially be called out from his parents’ home by a loud bell, installed for the purpose, or from his place of work.
In March 1973 he went to Reigate for three months training, during which time his son Mark was born. Following his training he was posted to Weston Super Mare where he spent the next 30 years with the occasional stint or Detached Duty at various stations and Headquarters. He was promoted to Leading Firefighter and attended various courses etc: during his career. Following and accident on 25th May 1989, when he fell 30 feet off a roof, breaking his heel bone, which hindered him for some considerable time. He eventually went back on light duties to rehabilitate and went on to finished his service as a Driver Training Instructor, specialising on the H.P.
He retired in April 2000 and enjoyed a happy and fulfilled retirement. Neil started to cycle but unfortunately that was short lived as he lived up a very steep hill!!!, O.K. going down. He especially enjoyed the company of his family both at home in the garden, or when they joined him and Deborah for the occasional holiday. He loved his holiday’s mainly because along with his three siblings, he had grown up in Egypt and Kenya. His father had been an RSM in the Welsh Guards so the children enjoyed the adventure of living such exciting places and he was able to visit those places again with his family and many more. Sorrento became a favourite place in latter years closer to home where he spent his last holiday with his wife Deborah in September 2019.
He was never a selfish man and always tried to get the best out of everyone, and he is going to be very sadly missed.
It’s now a last goodnight to the ‘Old Codgers’ of W-S-M, the monthly meetings of like minded men, which coincidentally started after Neil’s retirement. Cheers lads.
AF&RS Pensioners Association Secretary & Treasurer. NARF District No. 7 Chairman & Treasurer
Pensioners Association 
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