interview
Island Life - June/July 2010
Good deeds,
grandchildren
and grand
occasions
Peter Kingston is determined
to use his year as High Sheriff
to give recognition to those
who do good things for
others on his precious Island,
as he tells Roz Whistance
‘GRUMPS looks like a pirate!” was the
spend time with Mr Kingston you
one of his first functions with all the
shriek of three-year-old Ben. The rather
sense that he’d rather be talking about
aplomb, gra vitas and gentle humour of
grand occasion was the Declaration
anything rather than himself.
one at ease in the role he’s just taken
of Grumps – known to all but his
on. But for now Peter, his wife Gill and
So while we don’t find out much
grandsons as Peter Kingston – as the
about his personal passions – though
I are chatting in the conservatory of
Isle of Wight’s new High Sheriff.
he played rugby to a reasonable level
his home in Totland a place pleasantly
in his youth, he mentions, and sailing
tucked away, and like the couple
formal garb – and you’ve got to admit
is in his blood – he bubbles over about
who own it, more modest than you
Ben has a point about the hat – is not,
the honour of being part of what is the
might expect. “We bought the house
however, the first thing that springs to
oldest civic office in the country. He has
as a stop-gap in 1972,” smiles Peter,
Peter Kingston’s mind when we meet.
become a part of a history which holds
“and have been here ever since.” The
What does is that in being asked to be
a delicious fascination for him, and
daffodils and snowdrops are putting
High Sheriff, he has been given a huge
particularly because of the impending
on a tremendous display on the lawn,
compliment:
General Election. “I’m thrilled that as
as they have done for the 35-odd
Returning Officer I will be announcing
years they have lived there, and, in
says, but in a hesitant way which
who has been elected as our MP.
anticipating the effect of the year in the
suggests his ego isn’t often given too
Another duty – which I trust will not
ancient office of High Sheriff – Gill says
much attention. Which is surprising
happen – is the announcing of a new
stoically: “If we have to mow the lawn
– you don’t generally expect a man
monarch.” He adds: “And if we still had
at midnight, we have to mow the lawn
in the estate agency profession to be
the death penalty I’d have to attend
at midnight!”
unassuming, albeit he is the surveying
every execution!”
Recalling his grandson’s verdict on the
“It flatters the ego a little bit,” he
half of Kingston & Grist. But as you
40
A week later, and he is speaking at
For this year will demand as much
from her as from her husband.
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