Former Preston MP Ron Atkins awarded posthumous Honorary Fellowship

Elizabeth Atkins receives posthumous Honorary Fellowship for Ron Atkins — Elizabeth Atkins, accompanied by Councillor Yakub Patel, accepting the award on Ron’s behalf

Former Preston MP Ron Atkins has received a posthumous Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire.

Ron was recognised for his dedication to public service and the significant contribution to the development of UCLan.

Ron served as MP for Preston North for two terms in the 1960s and 1970s. Until his death in 2020, at age 104, he was the UK’s longest-living former MP.

He served as a Preston City Councillor and was the primary political driving force behind the establishment of Preston Polytechnic in 1984.

He later advocated for its evolution to full university status as the University of Central Lancashire in 1992.

Ron’s widow, Elizabeth Atkins, accepted the award on Ron’s behalf. Ron’s close friend of decades, Preston City Councillor Yakub Patel, accompanied Elizabeth at the ceremony on Thursday 15 December.