interview
Island Life - June/July 2010
the Island: “There aren’t many roads on
the Island that I haven’t driven down as a
surveyor,” he says. But it is people, rather
than the infrastructure, that for Peter forms
the Isle of Wight’s integrity. He was invited to
become a member of the Health Authority,
where he saw first hand how chiropodists
and district nurses worked, and he went out
with ambulance crews. “The crew would
be joshing around all the way to a scene,
but the minute they got there they’d be
impeccably professional.”
As High Sheriff he will be able to give
recognition to people who put themselves
out for others. “You can never measure
what you achieve in the year, but you can
give those you meet encouragement for
what they’re doing, which is the best of
Englishness.”
Ultimately for Gill there were few regrets
up the High Sheriff’s ego, he’ll recall such
about moving back to the Island – and
things as seen through a child’s eyes. Seeing
none at all for Peter. Both grown-up sons
two High Court judges at his grandfather’s
return with their own children to spend the
Declaration, their red gowns trimmed with
summers here. Peter and Gill have just had
fur, three-year-old Ben said: “Ooh look, two
their first “pink” grandchild, to break with
Father Christmases!”
the hitherto blue variety, and are rather
delighted. “The Island has got its claws into
Photos: Top: Peter pictured in 1947, this
the next generation, I think,” grins Peter,
was a formal potrait that Peters parents had
with the ever-fresh zeal of an Island convert.
commissioned.
“If you cut me in two you’d find the words
Below: 7 A-Side Rugby Team at Milbourne
Isle of Wight written throughout. Or, more
Lodge in 1959, Peter pictured far right). Next
particularly, West Wight.”
to Peter is Christopher Gorringe who went
If there was ever a danger that a constant
diet of speeches and lunches were to pump
Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com
on to be Chief Exec of Wimbledon Tennis
Club.
43