It is with great sadness that we have heard of Peter's death and everyone at Vale of Lune RUFC extends their sympathies to Peter's wife Judith, son David, daughter Sarah, their families, relatives and all Peter's numerous friends at this distressing time.
Peter was well known in the locality with many links via his career mainly in the textile industry and of course his connections with all the sport within the area. He was a fund of knowledge about the population and to walk into a pub or club in Morecambe and Heysham was an experience. Within minutes he was nodding, waving, bouncing across the room to shake hands and on his return he would say, “Do you know who that is?” followed by a detailed family history.
Peter was very much involved in Morecambe during its glory years as a holiday resort and through his father's butcher's shop on Regent Road, which supplied the hotels and boarding houses with choice cuts, Peter became an expert on the preparing and cooking of beef in particular; at any meal where beef was being served Peter would pronounce on its quality and how it had been carved.
Peter was very proud of his family and all their achievements and although David lived in Devon and Sarah in Sydney, Australia, they kept in constant touch once they had flown the nest. Both Peter and Judith missed their grandchildren but despite the distances involved they were able keep abreast of their development.
For many people in Peter's age group their careers were put on hold when they were called up for National Service, which Peter duly completed in the Royal Military Police, but it did not greatly hinder his career prospects or sporting endeavours.
Sport featured heavily in Peter's life. Soccer was his first love and he was a highly respected forward, typical of his day, someone with the strength and physical prowess to make the opposition treat him with respect, or face the consequences! A leg injury cut short his playing career but his all embracing interest in sport ranged from international, national and local level including cricket and rugby, and he used to enjoy a flutter on the horses.
Although never having played rugby Peter became heavily involved with the Vale. He was a hard working member and would volunteer his services without a moments hesitation. He became a member of the highly respected “Gang of Four,” a quartet of touch judges which included Ivor Clays, Bob Benjamin and John Winn who were the envy of many clubs and highly appreciated by referees who had implicit faith in their decision making. At various times Peter carried out the duties of sponge man and, when still a smoker, would be a regular source of supply for some players when the final whistle blew.
Peter was elected to carry out various roles within the club; to see him pumping up the line marker and whizzing up and down the pitches was bordering on the balletic. Peter was a highly efficient Subscription Secretary for a number of seasons, and when he became Chairman he devoted many hours working on behalf of the club, its members and all the sections. When he was made President he carried out his duties with an ambassadorial zeal and helped to further cement relationships with clubs on the fixture lists at all levels, in addition to ensuring that Vale remained at the heart of the community. Peter richly deserved being made a Honorary Life Member, he was so pleased to receive this award which recognised how much time and effort he had put in over the years.
Peter was an ideal companion on tours, he threw himself whole heartily into the itinerary and showed the same enthusiasm for long weekends away when Vale were fulfilling fixtures the length and breadth of the county in their hey day. Even single day away fixtures were always approached eagerly.
Peter, cared about his friends, he enjoyed their fellowship and loyalty, and set great store by his relationships, he would always be the first to offer a helping hand, in particular should an emergency arise. He did not suffer fools gladly, a spade was very much a spade, he was not afraid to speak his mind but would always acknowledge his error when he had something wrong. You knew where you stood with Peter.
Peter was a emotional person, tears would begin to flow for no obvious reason but I feel sure that at this moment in time we can all be excused for reaching for the “Kleenex;” Peter would undoubtedly approve of our own personal “waterworks.”
The following words written by a Greek poet chime in with our thoughts as we reconcile ourselves to the passing of Peter.
“Someone spoke of your death Heraclitus. It brought me Tears, and I remember how often we ran the sun down with talk.”

RIP Peter. AVE ATQUE VALE.