PETER GILL
Posted: 19 Dec 2014, 09:15
PETER GILL
I was sad to see the news of Peter Gill's death but also glad that he had such a long and useful life. As far as business went, Windle and Bowker's were my accountants from 1959 until I retired in 2000 and while Peter wasn't my personal accountant we met many times at his office.
I'd like to draw attention to good works that Peter did which were outside the scope of the obituary in the BET. Like many prominent men I have known in the town, nobody knew the full extent of his private good works, such men tend to keep their light hidden under a bushel. I know of several instances where Peter was a very good friend and at times a benefactor to people who were in difficulties.
In another role he was one of the original members of the Steering Committee that Les Say set up to save the Bancroft engine. I'm not quite certain but I think he was also one of the original trustees. Typical of Peter was the fact that he gave his time and expertise freely and the fact that we eventually got the Trust off the ground was due in no small part to his input.
On a more personal note, I can remember well bumping into him outside Barclay's Bank one morning in early 1979. He surprised me by buttonholing me and saying that I should know how impressed he was with me getting entrance to University in the aftermath of the Bancroft closure. He quite embarrassed me by telling me how brave I was. I had to set him straight and told him that he was mistaken, it wasn't courage, it was desperation! Life had got me into a corner and seeing as how there were no jobs for steam engine tenters I had to find another way out. Of course he wouldn't have it but it says something about the man that he gave time and thought to what my position was. I remember how encouraged I was at a very difficult time in my life.
I'm glad that I don't need an accountant these days but I still remember that going in to Windle and Bowker's was always a pleasure, you knew that you were going to get good service and I often used to tell my friends that good accountants were worth their weight in gold and in those days we certainly had them in Barlick.
Thinking of unsung heroes, it's worth recognising that there are still people like Peter abroad in the town. Men and women who make a difference so quietly that we don't notice them. It's one of the aspects of a small, close-knit town like Barlick that makes it such a privilege to live here. If there are any treasures in heaven, Peter is getting the benefit now and it was a pleasure to know and work with him.
SCG/21/11/14
I was sad to see the news of Peter Gill's death but also glad that he had such a long and useful life. As far as business went, Windle and Bowker's were my accountants from 1959 until I retired in 2000 and while Peter wasn't my personal accountant we met many times at his office.
I'd like to draw attention to good works that Peter did which were outside the scope of the obituary in the BET. Like many prominent men I have known in the town, nobody knew the full extent of his private good works, such men tend to keep their light hidden under a bushel. I know of several instances where Peter was a very good friend and at times a benefactor to people who were in difficulties.
In another role he was one of the original members of the Steering Committee that Les Say set up to save the Bancroft engine. I'm not quite certain but I think he was also one of the original trustees. Typical of Peter was the fact that he gave his time and expertise freely and the fact that we eventually got the Trust off the ground was due in no small part to his input.
On a more personal note, I can remember well bumping into him outside Barclay's Bank one morning in early 1979. He surprised me by buttonholing me and saying that I should know how impressed he was with me getting entrance to University in the aftermath of the Bancroft closure. He quite embarrassed me by telling me how brave I was. I had to set him straight and told him that he was mistaken, it wasn't courage, it was desperation! Life had got me into a corner and seeing as how there were no jobs for steam engine tenters I had to find another way out. Of course he wouldn't have it but it says something about the man that he gave time and thought to what my position was. I remember how encouraged I was at a very difficult time in my life.
I'm glad that I don't need an accountant these days but I still remember that going in to Windle and Bowker's was always a pleasure, you knew that you were going to get good service and I often used to tell my friends that good accountants were worth their weight in gold and in those days we certainly had them in Barlick.
Thinking of unsung heroes, it's worth recognising that there are still people like Peter abroad in the town. Men and women who make a difference so quietly that we don't notice them. It's one of the aspects of a small, close-knit town like Barlick that makes it such a privilege to live here. If there are any treasures in heaven, Peter is getting the benefit now and it was a pleasure to know and work with him.
SCG/21/11/14
