Simon Edye obituary
My friend and one-time employer Simon Edye, who has died aged 73, ran the popular Ronaldo Ices in Norwich for more than 40 years, starting with one homemade, hand-hauled Victorian-style barrow and going on to supply shops, restaurants, theatres and visitor attractions throughout East Anglia.Born in Sidlesham, West Sussex, to John Edye, a journal editor, and Alison (nee Allan), a teacher, Simon was the eldest of three brothers.He went to Chichester high school for boys, then in 1970 started a social sciences degree at the University of East Anglia, but dropped out, settled in Norwich and tried his hand at various jobs: fruit and veg picker and ganger, acupuncturist, taxi driver and bicycle repairman, for which a friend painted the humorous sign “Honest Ron Enterprises – Bicycle Repairs”.With Simon’s brother, Jo, “Honest Ron’s” then went into the stir-fry business, with a stall at Stonehenge, Albion Fairs in East Anglia, and even the Epsom Derby.In 1983, Simon built his barrow and started selling ice cream on Norwich’s pedestrianised London Street.
With a nod to Italian traders, Ron became Ronaldo, and following that same tradition, sold hot chestnuts in the winter,Discerning customers wanted real ice cream – no artificial flavours or ingredients – so, in 1987, after completing a one-week ice-cream-making course at Reading University, Simon opened his factory and started to create hundreds of different flavours, using local milk, cream and fruits where possible,Ronaldo’s barrows were ubiquitous at summer events, where I often worked, but following the retirement of Simon’s righthand man, Rob Ellis, in 2016, and then lockdown in 2020, the company concentrated on its wholesale market and Simon handed over the reins to his son, Chris, while keeping a proprietorial eye on the business,When not working he had a passion for sport,A cricketing friend suggested running to help quit smoking and, never one for half measures, Simon was soon competing in marathons and triathlons.
Then he took on Iron Man triathlons – 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26-mile run – competing in world championships in Hawaii in 1999, 2004 and 2009.Remarkably, that first Hawaii event came just three years after a time-trial cycling collision with a taxi put Simon in hospital with life-threatening head injuries.Simon was instrumental in setting up Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club in 1992 and fought for several years to gain official swimming access to the new Norfolk Broads at Whitlingham for the first Norwich Triathlon in 2005.Interviewed for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire last year, Simon said: “The wonderful thing about ice cream is it makes people happy.
And when you make people happy, it makes you happy.”Simon married Jan, a social worker who later became a breastfeeding consultant, in 1979.She survives him, along with their son, Chris, and two daughters, Joanne and Ruth, six grandchildren, Cooper, Otolie, Albert, Baxter, Solomon and Poppy, and his brother Jo.His youngest brother, Pete, predeceased him.
‘On his own terms’: James Valentine chose assisted dying but barriers remain for Australians wanting to access it
When the beloved broadcaster and saxophonist James Valentine died this week it was on his terms – he was at home, surrounded by his family, after making the choice to use voluntary assisted dying (VAD).“Throughout his illness, James did it his way, which lasted all the way until the end,” his wife, Joanne, and two children, Ruby and Roy, said in a statement.“Both he and his family are grateful he was given the option to go out on his own terms.”As tributes flow for Valentine, advocates for VAD hope his loss will encourage the federal government to address structural barriers to accessing the end-of-life care that are preventing some Australians from doing the same.Every Australian jurisdiction excluding the Northern Territory has legalised VAD, which represents about 2% of all deaths, or 5% of cancer deaths
Nine in 10 UK voters across parties support right to abortion, poll finds
New polling has found that whatever their party political leanings, an overwhelming majority of people support the right to access an abortion – although young people, in particular, fear reproductive rights may be reduced.The YouGov polling, commissioned by MSI Reproductive Choices to mark its 50th anniversary, found nine in 10 people support the right to access an abortion.This was the case with 94% of Labour voters, 91% of Conservative voters, 95% of Green voters and 86% of Reform voters, pointing to one of the clearest indicators of cross-party political consensus in the UK.The survey also found almost one in five people think abortion access could be reduced, rising to more than a quarter of 18- to 25-year-olds. Respondents cited developments in the US and the rise of the far right as factors
Police and ombudsman investigate death of boy, 16, at young offender institution
Police and the prisons ombudsman are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy who was being held at a young offender institution in south-west London.The boy was found unresponsive at Feltham YOI on Monday night. He was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital but died shortly before midnight.Deaths of children in YOIs are rare: the most recent one in England or Wales before this week was in June 2019. A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: “At this stage, the death is being treated as unexpected
Breast reductions in UK overtake enlargements for first time, data shows
Breast reductions and implant removals have overtaken enlargements for the first time, data shows, as experts link the shift to more active lifestyles.The latest annual audit from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) shows there were 4,761 breast enlargement procedures in 2025, down 8% on the previous year.There were also 4,673 breast reduction procedures and 847 implant removals, with surgeons saying the trend reflects a growing shift toward comfort and more active lifestyles, alongside the rise of form-fitting “athleisure” clothing.They also noted an increase in procedures for the face, including facelifts and eyelid surgery. One of the fastest-growing procedures is the brow lift, which has surged 27% overall
Kathy Attawell obituary
My friend Kathy Attawell, who has died suddenly aged 65, dedicated herself to improving public health in developing countries. Her contributions to the HIV response, and to improving maternal and child health, saved the lives of thousands.I met Kathy on our first day at Exeter University in October 1978 – she was warm and funny, and her passion for social justice was infectious. Kathy’s strong principles led her to a career in health and international development. In the 1980s she focused on HIV and Aids, seeking to understand this new disease – its spread, prevention and treatment
Parents: have you noticed younger children wanting to try skincare products?
Children as young as two are appearing in TikTok videos demonstrating their skincare routines, a Guardian investigation has found, raising concerns about the beauty industry’s reach. Dermatologists say children do not need multi-step skincare and warn the trend may be fuelling anxiety about appearance from an early age.We want to hear from parents of children of primary school children or younger. Have your children asked for skincare products or felt pressure to follow routines they’ve seen online or heard about from friends? Have you noticed changes in how they think about their appearance? Do you have concerns?You can share your submission in the form below or by messaging us. We won't use your response without contacting you first
Iran war hurting UK economy as consumer confidence falls; BP’s new chair suffers investor revolt – as it happened
Simon Edye obituary
Private health records of half a million Britons offered for sale on Chinese website
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