Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2006 | Page 25

INTERVIEW

Cowes. The youngsters are given
on-water experiences, in canoes, sail
boats, motor boats and kayaks, to
raise their self esteem and let them
do things they wouldn’t otherwise
have done.
Peter reveals that real progress is
being made: “Some are definitely
altering their behaviour. One
has gone on to do a Duke of
Edinburgh Award, some have found
employment, and the truancy rate
has fallen within the group.
Is there still a lot for young people
to do today, when compared to the
time Peter was growing up?
“I think there is probably a
spectrum of behaviour amongst
children. There are some who are
highly motivated and they will
always achieve. Sadly, due to social
deprivation, poverty and poor
parenting skills, there are a group
of children who really do need to
achieve their potential.
“Frankly, some have such awful
home situations and they really start
life with not much going for them.
It’s often this group that is creating
the crime.”
On other issues, Peter is also very
concerned over the congestion
problems
on
Island
roads,
particularly around Newport’s
Coppins Bridge area. He feels a
bridge across the River Medina, if
affordable, would ease so many

problems. He is not quite so positive
about larger ferries and terminals,
which will add even more to our
current road transport problems,
if it means even more cars on the
roads.
Like many locals he is also
concerned about retaining the
Island’s unique character and
charm.
“I do think a lot of tourists
come to the Island for some of

our slightly old world charm. If
they find it full of modern utility
buildings, superstores and lots of
ruined villages, because of urban
development, then maybe we
will have done ourselves a great
disservice.
“We have got to try and recognise
that the Island has real charm and
that charm can easily be damaged,
irrevocably, if development goes
ahead uncontrolled.”

Away from office, Peter
now works just two days a
week at St Mary’s Hospital.
This is the beginning of the
run-down until he officially
retires. It’s a far cry from the
first 15 years of the job, when
he worked single-handed.
That time proved to be one
of the most stressful of his
life. He was on call to perform
operations virtually night
and day, and says he found
2am in an operating theatre
a very lonely place. In more
recent years his depar ѵ