John Miller, Geoff Ash and I cannot think of anyone who has had a bigger impact in the creation of our fantastic Club. At various times Peter was Fixture Secretary, Social Secretary, ran the 200 Club, Hockey Chairman, Trustee, President and Honorary Life Vice President.
Peter grew up in Caversham where his early schooling was at Hemdean House School before going to Cranleigh during World War 2 where he developed his love of hockey. Following two years National Service in the Navy, he returned to the family firm of Carter and Son in Reading where he rebuilt and expanded the marquee business and then launched a successful ski equipment shop.

Peter joined Reading Hockey Club which had been mothballed during the War, helping to re-establish it at Sol Joel Park in Earley with one team, a shed for changing and nowhere to shower or socialise. Together with John Tovey, Roy Turner and Paddy Padwick, Peter’s foresight, passion and persuasion saw the amalgamation of hockey and cricket at Church Road in Earley in 1959.

Peter was a goalkeeper but his playing career was cut short by injury. However he continued to support the development of the playing side, persuading the London League which has been established in 1969 to let Reading join and recruiting players to strengthen the squad.

He was instrumental in supporting Alan Massey relocating the Club to Sonning Lane in 1986. And I will always be in his debt for the help he gave me and others in building the first water based astro at a Club in this country in 1989. Peter supplied the marquees for the amazing balls with 400 guests at Temple Island (who can forget Uri Geller bending spoons and Colin Moynihan joining in displaying his Bonking Boars Boxers), helped create a hugely successful Real Ale and Jazz Festival which raised several hundred thousand pounds, and lead the way by providing a generous sponsorship which persuaded others like Barclays and Arena (who installed a 250 seater stand as a sponsorship) to support the Club. He was the first person we all went to for advice and support and he always delivered. His contribution was immense.

Few playing today will appreciate the amount that Peter also did to support the day to day running of the Club. John Miller told me that he was Hockey Fixture Secretary for 25 years, a complex challenge when everything was done by hand and via the Royal Mail. Peter was also at the heart of ensuring members socialised as hard in the bar as they played on the pitch. With his wife Sue’s unceasing support, he organised the annual cricket and hockey cocktail party each September from the amalgamation in 1959 for 30 years and organised the annual hockey dinner, including cooking the food himself in the kitchens. And I will never forget how impressed the Crows in Holland were when he flew over to join us for a night of partying one Easter, making a short Presidential speech which had everyone in stitches.

Peter was hugely supportive to many of us personally, from offering members discounts in the shop, employing children of members in his business and helping many of us celebrate family occasions in great style. As was customary with his many friends, he was very generous with his time and care in helping Jo and I plan our wedding, constructing a marquee which encompassed several flower borders, helping us with catering and many other matters that contributed to a memorable day.

He was immensely proud of the laying of the first Astro pitch in 1989, when the men won the European Club Championship in 2003. He was equally delighted to see the contribution of the ladies winning Olympic gold in 2016. His modesty would deny him taking any credit, but what a triumph from the humble origins in Earley! And he remained a great supporter of the 1st XI’s into his 90’s, parking his car by the corner of the pitch where he could watch in the warm. I’m not sure how much of the hockey he could actually see from this vantage point, but we all enjoyed a nip of whisky mac from his hip flask.

Hockey wasn’t Peter’s only interest. He advised Henley Royal Regatta when it ran into financial difficulties in the late sixties. Approached by the Secretary, Richard Goddard, to look at ways to help the Regatta survive, Peter made the link with Gus Payne of Payne & Gunter creating hospitality units. This additional income, along with maximising rental from the regatta grounds, contributed to saving the Regatta.

Carter & Son had been involved in the Newbury & District Agricultural Society since its inception. Peter got involved when it hit a financial crisis in the late 1960’s. Peter and a couple of others thought they would have a go at trying to save it - and what a success! The annual show grew both in size and stature. Following the formula of the social events at the Hockey Club there was a push to enrol new members, with Peter helping to organise an annual cheese and wine party regularly selling 1200 tickets. Peter was Chairman in 1979, one of the original Governors of the Society, masterminded the purchase of the current showground in 1984, became a Trustee when the Society was incorporated, and sat on many committees – Membership, Catering, Benefits, Public Relations and the Show’s Council.

If this wasn’t enough, for many years Peter was also a Governor of the Abbey School in Reading, which his wife Sue and daughter Sally had both attended. It is therefore no wonder that he was awarded an MBE in 2010 for his services to the community in Berkshire which he was immensely proud to receive.

Peter was someone we could all count as a dear and caring friend, someone we all respected, revered and loved who was easy to approach and a great listener. Many us attended his funeral on 1 March to celebrate a man who gave so much to his local community and brought fun and humour to so many people.

Charlie Lowe
President