Some years later I moved to Sydenham, partly because I wanted to have a plot at Kent House Leisure Gardens, and in due course joined Peter on the committee. He let me know that he appreciated my contributions, which from a man such as him is as great honour as I could wish.

One committee meeting, I realised I’d said something wrong. He’d come to the last with a slightly battered cornet, and wanted to know if anyone could do anything with it. I offered to take it to my daughter’s trumpet teacher, for his assessment. He said it wasn’t worth much – somebody – Peter? – had wrecked the mouthpiece trying to get it off with a wrench, but it might be something my daughter could use. I passed this on to Peter, who was not happy. In his eighties he might have been, but no reason for a man not to think of taking up something new, such as the cornet. He also told me he’d played clarinet in a band once. How many other memories of Peter there must be.

I personally take my hat off to a man who, despite never having the loving partner that he had wished for, still carried on with such a very full life that many of us can only wish for. He is a very special person who hs left his mark in so many ways. I only wish that I’d been there more often to dance with him.

Rock in heaven Pete

A very familiar landmark has suddenly disappeared from the skyline of KHLG. For Peter was such a fixture on the five and a half acres who over many, many years together with other veterans contributed so much to its development, turning the site into what it is today. Mercifully, his demise was sudden, he would have hated a long period of incapacity, unable to continue the pursuit of his lifelong interests. Even the leading expertise of Kings College Stroke Unit, could not restore him to a semblance of normal life.

I wonder at just how many people who, without knowing him, were made famlllar with the life and activities of bees. Hundreds if not thousands, of children and adults studied the glass paneled hives, first set up in the old part of Hornimans Museum and presently in the more sophisticated additional building.

Then the dozens of residents in S.E. London who were so relieved when he knocked on their door, saying “I am Peter the Beekeeper and I have come to remove your swarm”. They were both grateful and amazed, at the deftness with which he dealt with, what to them, was a frightening spectre, hanging from a garden tree or under the porch roof.

There must be a multitude who met him far beyond our boundaries at the gatherings of beekeepers both here and abroad. Receiving from and adding to, his knowledge and skills.

Another group who will wonder at his absence are the many vendors at the Bellingham Car-Boot Sales, who have regularly anticipated a transaction with hire of some old, that is to say Imperial sized, tooling or mini machinery, that, after a little haggling, would one day soon, “Come in Handy” and, now and then, it did.

He took much pleasure in praise and prizes for his honey and especially his mead and if my memory serves me correctly, a red wine from his vines. He took a delight in tasting both liquids, just to see if they were up to scratch, you understand.

He was without doubt, a “Character”, a “one-off”, a persona grata among we more ordinary folk. Very friendly with most but especially with a few intimates whom he cherished, perhaps in place of the family which he never had, following the death of his dearly loved Mother. KHLG was his real home from which he ventured forth and
hurried back to.

I shall remember him as so many of past and present members will, with a smile, recalling some amusing incident involving him and with much regret at his passing.

Fred Ferebee.