Ceri Thomas Evans JP DL

Ceri Evans was born in Llandrindod Wells, Mid Wales in 1941 and educated locally. His parents were involved in community work. His father, a farmer, was a County Councillor and his mother was Chairman of the Radnorshire Federation of Women’s Institutes.

In 1959 Ceri joined a group of Brick Manufacturers and Factors with brickworks in Leicestershire, Sussex, Northamptonshire and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. He attended the College of Ceramics in Stoke on Trent from 1960-1963.

Although involved in all aspects of the Group, becoming Chairman and Managing Director, Ceri settled in the Forest of Dean. The genuine handmade bricks are highly regarded and used in buildings such as The British Library and Stratford’s New Theatre as well as the restoration of Hampton Court.

In 1967 Ceri married Sheila, a farmer’s daughter from the Shropshire/Welsh border, and they made their home in the Dean finally settling in Blaisdon in 1977.

Ceri was a member of Round Table, Rotary and served several Forest schools as Governor.

He was appointed a Magistrate in 1981 becoming Forest of Dean Bench Chairman for five years, Chairman of Gloucestershire Magistrates Courts Committee for six years and the first Chairman of the newly-formed Gloucestershire Bench in 2004.

His appointment as a Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire came in 2000.

Sheila launched and was Chairman of the Steering Committee for Great Oaks, Dean Forest Hospice, from 1999 until its opening in 2004. She is now its President and Ceri became Chairman.

Ceri is interested in all forms of sport and is a member of MCC. He will be encouraging more competitive sporting activities in all Gloucestershire Primary Schools.

Email inquiries about and communications for the High Sheriff should be addressed to his Secretary, Lifa Oakley: lifa@wingatesfarm.net