biography

Pete was born at the Luton and Dunstable hospital on 23rd December 1982. It was, obviously, the depths of the night and the frost was thick on the ground. It was also two days before Christmas! In many ways his birth was to set the pattern for the rest of his life; he stayed up late, loved to party and was good at family occasions!

His family home was in Caddington and he attended the local village schools, from Playgroup, Mother and Toddlers , Nursery, Willowfield Lower, Five Oaks Middle and finally Manshead Upper. Although he followed in his older brother's footsteps he still managed to approach everything in is own unique style. Many of his enduring friendships hale from these days.

As a second child Pete was instantly part of a busy social life, from a few weeks old he was nurtured by Jon's friends' older sisters Catherine and Ruth. Catherine, later to be his piano teacher, frequently trundled him down the garden in her dolls' pram and always returned him intact. As for the "boys" they allowed him to tag along and sometimes even permitted him to take part in their experiments! Pete survived all of this and went on to make many friends of his own.

One of many memories is from when Pete was about four or five years old and as part of a group of older children had been playing "beat the wave" on a beach in Norfolk. When it was time to return to the car the usually determined Pete was particularly slow to keep up, well he was always the smallest at this time, eventually it was discovered that he hadn't quite managed to beat all the waves and his wellies were full of water slowing him down. His only concern was not to miss out on the ice cream.

Not always a natural academic, Pete worried himself through school but always managed to succeed. It was in practical skills that Pete always excelled and these included the circus skills which became such a big part of his life and, of course the drums. Never to be forgotten Pete's first Manshead Christmas concert, one stick and one cymbal and concentration to die for. A far cry from two kits and the drum duet in Germany, "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" and finally Uni and The Dustbunnies.

Pete was always small for his age, really small. As Pete started year 12 his older brother, Jon, left to work in New Zealand for a year before starting Uni, when Jon returned the following summer the "little Pete" he left behind had outgrown him. They were best of friends from that moment onwards.

On finishing school Pete went to Australia to travel. He began his adventure with one of his closest friends Jim, they did not spend all of their time together but this was the beginning of a very special time for Pete. He learnt to look after himself to make new friends and be totally self- reliant. He visited Caroline, Martin, Julie and their family and this was an enduring friendship that was very important to him. He learnt to pay the didgeridoo,and how to surf, drove four wheels drives on the beach ,met some of the cast of Neighbours, travelled far and wide, partied on a bus, went to a Grand Prix, dived the Great Barrier Reef, jumped out of an aeroplane, met up with Suzie, Bungee jumped, saw many a crocodile at the croc hunters zoo, ate two minute noodles,and consumed a hell of a lot of aussie VB(victoria Bitter) lager, played alot of table tennis in melbourne back packers and missed his drum kit. He was also miffed that the Oz authorities saw fit to confiscate his juggling balls. He grew up.

He returned in true Pete style. He carefully fed us the wrong information having plotted with another of his close school friends, Tom. It was, given the time difference, not unusual to get a phone call from Pete on a Saturday morning and this Saturday was no exception. So we were chatting away to Pete in Oz when who should walk in the door but Pete. I'd swear that Bob even told Pete on the phone that Pete had just walked in! It was soon after this that Pete and Tom, claiming to mis-understand a text message, painted a space ship on a stage set that was meant to be a rural scene.

There followed a year at home, working with Jim at The Moat House, before uni. During this time there were many evenings out with the "Luton Crowd" and I am sure many stories to be told¦ Oh and traffic cones. It was about now that Pete and Phil became involved with The Smart Club through Chris and Becca. Then the love of his life Aimee Rose, their daughter.

Dealing with Jon's death just a few weeks before departing for Nottingham was very difficult for Pete but with the help of his many friends he endured and set off on his next adventure. Nottingham. So many great friends, Pete was truly lucky and he loved it. As he grew into his course he found direction and focus and he began to love what he did. So many people helped and supported him to make this possible.

Pete loved nothing better, with the exception of the odd party maybe, than to travel. Will, Pete and Doris in Canada- it was special! Brave Will even survived a few close encounters with the Fitzsimmons clan and Pete got to know his uncle Mick. The following summer inter rail in Europe with Matt. I'd guess there are many stories to add. New Year in Wales too. Maybe it all started with Stevie, Tom and Durdle Door?

The most important thing in Pete's life were his friendships- so many of you are not mentioned here by name, an impossible task, but please do not be offended you know he loved you all. Hopefully others will be able to add to this because we don't presume to know more than a few bits really.

So much is missing from this: scouts (The Downsman), Pteraducktyls, shows, things we never knew (some we shouldn't), we hope some of you can fill in the gaps as you see fit. I guess the smile will not be forgotten.