A PERSONAL VIEW OF PETER by Paul Key
Peter Garner was a quiet, gentle man, who, when approached would share his knowledge and enthusiasm with all who asked.
I first met Peter in the Castle Telephone Exchange in 1967, when I was employed there with Ericsson's Telecommunications of Beeston, Peter was with the General Post Office.
It was Peter's enthusiasm for steam locomotives which first drew my attention, the imitated sound of a steam engine being heard before Peter was seen developed from visits to three corner and steam locomotives travelling along the former Nottingham Suburban Railway, a location once familiar to so many in the group*.
Peter had joined the Post Office after National Service with the Sherwood Foresters and the oncoming demise of steam power from the railways, Peter's first job and passion.
It was through conversation with Peter that our similar backgrounds, albeit parted a few years, but many names spoken including schools and churches crossed both our paths.
Aside from his love of steam, Peter was also a keen, competent and respected photographer, fortunately with the foresight to keep a photographic record of his passions, one such record being the place he held dear to his heart, St Ann's Well Road.
Like many from the old St Ann's, Peter's family links were long established and enduring, from Grandparents to Peter, 13 Bombay Street was home.
Peter lost his mother Ethel Garner, nee Taylor when he was a young boy, he was brought up by his grandparents, William and Minnie Taylor, with his father Percy also living at number 13 Bombay Street.
In the 1990's I recall talking with Peter in the Bowman Sheriff Telephone Exchange on Bath Street, itself built upon the old Surplus Stores and Freeman Street. We commented upon how much change had occurred and Peter said that he had a large collection of photographs of the old St Ann's and that he had taken a walk up St Ann's Well Road to record the last of St Ann's for posterity.
I took the opportunity to ask Peter if it would be possible to see some of the photos. Peter welcomed the reques,t adding that he had photos of the shops near to the 47 terminus and images of George Smith outside the Newsagents. I asked if George's son Roger could also see the photos, Peter was only too pleased to extend the invitation. It was at the home of Peter and Ann on Foxhill Road that both Roger and myself were taken on a nostalgic trip back in time through photographs and Peter's enthusiasm for St Ann's.
A contribution which did not dent Peter's enthusiasm, told by Peter, was that he had taken many images to a presentation of the old St Ann's. I believe at the library, only to return his car to find it had been broken into and photos were scattered all around, some lost, but all displaced from their order.
It is thanks to photographers like Peter Garner. Peter Richardson, Leon Pavich, the many individual postings*, combined with the contributions and enthusiasm of the admin team that St Ann's remains in our hearts and memories.
I believe Peter would be smiling down upon all who can now be included within his memories.
Our thanks to Peter for his contribution and all for their ongoing involvement with keeping the Old St Ann's a living memory.
Paul
* St Anns Well Road Pre Demolition (Pre 1970) Online Community facebook group
PETER by Beryl Cook**
I didn`t really know him well. He was 15 years older than me. My maternal grandma Gertrude Booth lived at 11 Bombay Street, my Uncle Fred and Auntie Gladys Booth lived at No. 13 and Peter lived with his dad Percy at No. 15.
His mum died from TB when he was just 3 years old and he was raised by his grandparents Bill and Minnie Taylor on Bombay Street. When me and my husband married in 1984, Peter took our wedding photos, even taking us to Highfields to get some lovely photos there.
Peter`s wife Ann was a lovely lady but sadly they didn`t have children. They were involved with the Cats Protection League and had cats of their own.
As Peter got older he became very eccentric and began hoarding stuff like newspapers, magazines etc. and sometimes on visits we could hardly move for stuff all over the house. We offered to help him clear it but every time we moved something out he moved it back in again, so we had to give up in the end.
Ann died of cancer in 2017 in a Nursing Home on the Wells Road and I was able to visit her there.
Peter was 90 on 3rd September 2022 and had developed dementia but stayed at home, sleeping downstairs and being looked after by a couple he had known for a long time from St. Anns Church. We visited a few times but he didn`t really know who I was.
He died on 25th September 2022.
I was in hospital with pneumonia and couldn`t go to his funeral which was sad.
If anyone has the book "Inner City Voices" by Ruth I Johns there is a lot of info about Peter on page 81** and a photo of his mother (who was beautiful) on page 82, along with his grandparents who brought him up.
** (Peter's second cousin)
I didn`t really know him well. He was 15 years older than me. My maternal grandma Gertrude Booth lived at 11 Bombay Street, my Uncle Fred and Auntie Gladys Booth lived at No. 13 and Peter lived with his dad Percy at No. 15.
His mum died from TB when he was just 3 years old and he was raised by his grandparents Bill and Minnie Taylor on Bombay Street. When me and my husband married in 1984, Peter took our wedding photos, even taking us to Highfields to get some lovely photos there.
Peter`s wife Ann was a lovely lady but sadly they didn`t have children. They were involved with the Cats Protection League and had cats of their own.
As Peter got older he became very eccentric and began hoarding stuff like newspapers, magazines etc. and sometimes on visits we could hardly move for stuff all over the house. We offered to help him clear it but every time we moved something out he moved it back in again, so we had to give up in the end.
Ann died of cancer in 2017 in a Nursing Home on the Wells Road and I was able to visit her there.
Peter was 90 on 3rd September 2022 and had developed dementia but stayed at home, sleeping downstairs and being looked after by a couple he had known for a long time from St. Anns Church. We visited a few times but he didn`t really know who I was.
He died on 25th September 2022.
I was in hospital with pneumonia and couldn`t go to his funeral which was sad.
If anyone has the book "Inner City Voices" by Ruth I Johns there is a lot of info about Peter on page 81** and a photo of his mother (who was beautiful) on page 82, along with his grandparents who brought him up.
** (Peter's second cousin)
Leaving 13 Bombay Street
Dedicated to the memory of Peter Garner