Peter Simmonds 1931-2010
It was a sad moment at the end of 2009 when the Old Cicestrians Committee received Peter’s resignation and the members were devastated to learn, within a few months, of his death. He had been suffering from the very debilitating Motor Neurone Disease which he bore with remarkable stoicism and not a little humour which would not come as a great surprise to all that knew him well. Those of us that knew Peter as a school friend, colleague at work or family friend will remember him for his energy, enthusiasm and sense of humour.
Peter’s connection to the Old Cicestrians must be unique in that he qualified on two counts in that he was not only a pupil at but also as a master at the school.
He was almost an “all Sussex” man in that he was evacuated to Littlehampton in 1939 and shortly after moved to Bognor, attending Nyewood School before moving on to our school which he attended from 1942 to 1948.
He then joined the Civil Service briefly before doing his National Service in the RAF where he became a Sergeant in the Education Branch. On release he attended Bognor Teacher Training College before going on to St Luke’s Exeter for his PE qualification. His first teaching post was at Edmonton Grammar School followed by promotion as Head of PE at The Lancastrian School which had recently moved to its new location adjacent to us. When the two schools merged in 1971 he continued with PE, but then had a year at Shoreditch College where he qualified to teach Technical Studies which he taught until his retirement in 1987.
Our thoughts go out to his wife “Bubbles” and his family whom he adored.
Team Photograph Right Shows Peter Simmonds Playing for Grasshoppers Rugby 1st XV 1947- 1948
Back: Thompson; Tony Hilton; ? ; Basil Cooper; Tony Hammond; Guy (Spider) Webb; Gordon;
Centre: Eric Lampard; Robin Bellam; Robin Pearce; Mr.Gahan; John Pelling;
Front: Tony Tadd; Saunders; Ivor Young; Peter Simmonds