Ex-Army man who moved from Stortford to Sussex but loved to keep in touch with the town

Angela Barton, of Pryor’s Close in Bishop’s Stortford, pays tribute to a kind mate with whom she shared pursuits in music, guides, politics – and laughter…

These a lot of folks who realized Peter Chase socially, as a result of operate or the Royal British Legion will be sorry to hear he died on January 13 obtaining been unwell through December.

We will all have our individual recollections of moments expended with him and his loved ones. He and I very first satisfied as a result of operate. Subsequent the sudden demise of my partner, he and Judy had been immensely kind to me and we remained agency buddies ever after.

Some several years after Judy’s demise he determined to go from Bishop’s Stortford to Sussex to be in the vicinity of his son Richard and his loved ones – they became his only near relations as his daughter also tragically died.

Despite the fact that he missed his buddies below he never ever regretted the go and shortly settled in obtaining in his Army days created buddies all more than the spot, he was often excellent at assembly new folks and keeping in contact with old buddies.

We managed our friendship mainly more than the mobile phone, sharing pursuits in music, guides (often guides) and politics. In spite of our diversified views on the latter, we never ever arrived near to quarrelling. And we did laugh a large amount.

Doing the job in a bookshop, I often had a listing of “things to glance out for for Peter”, and when I visited him for the weekend I carried a modest overnight bag and a very major suitcase entire of effective finds.

He was often keen to hear about folks and events in this city and I from time to time despatched him copies of our regional paper (he appreciated the Indie very significantly).

Despite the fact that he was starting to be steadily far more bodily frail, he remained as mentally inform as ever: the previous conversation I had with him was on the issue of regardless of whether or not one particular could ever seriously realize a ebook if only equipped to browse it in translation, with distinct reference to Virgil and Homer!

Less than existing restrictions Richard cannot prepare a community funeral but hopes, at that time we all glance forward to “when points are better”, to hold a sociable celebration in his memory.

As we know, Peter liked a get together.