Epping Forest Conservative Association elected Simon Jones as its new chairman at its Annual General Meeting on Friday, March 16.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing paid tribute to out-going chairman Tony Woodhead saying he had done a brilliant job over the last year.

Eleanor said: “Tony first became an association chairman many years ago and has served the Party and the local and national community diligently and with great distinction for many years.”

She also thanked Mr Woodhead's wife, Katy, for the wonderful support to Tony and the association.  Simon Jones has been involved in Epping Forest Conservatives since he was a leading member of Conservative Future.

He has held many positions within the Party, locally and nationally, and came close to winning a parliamentary seat, Dagenham and Rainham, from Labour at the 2010 General Election.

He was warmly welcomed by those at the AGM who look forward to his enthusiasm and energy bringing great results in the forthcoming local elections.

Eleanor said: "We are very fortunate in having such talented and dedicated people working for the Conservative cause here in Epping Forest.

“These are the people who do so much, in many different ways, in our local community - the real ‘Big Society’.”

Picture (left to right): Epping Forest Conservative Association retiring Honorary Treasurer Sylvia Watson, Area Chairman Adrian Roper, Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, Chairman Simon Jones, Honorary Secretary Valerie Metcalfe and Honorary Treasurer and retiring Chairman Tony Woodhead.