Tributes were paid to a famous Lincolnshire journalist who tragically died after collapsing from a heart attack.
Peter Thompson, 75, of Caistor, was recovering from treatment for previous heart disease when he collapsed while in Market Rasen.
He died at Lincoln County Hospital last week with his family by his side.
Peter, a former high school teacher, excelled in a wide range of subjects and sports.
For the past 25 years he has served as The Wolds correspondent for local media and worked at the Grimsby Telegraph for approximately 20 years.
He became a photojournalist for Market Rasen races and was a regular feature at the annual Grimsby Bikeathon to benefit leukemia and blood cancer research.
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(Image: submitted by Gwyneth Thompson)
He has accomplished an extraordinary number of passions throughout his life. He was intelligent and had unparalleled knowledge of past sporting events, in hockey, cricket and football.
Peter was married to Gwyneth “Gwen” for 49 years, having met at teacher training college in Chester.
She said she was comforted by the “incredible” number of sympathy messages and cards acknowledging Peter’s contribution to life in the Wolds community and beyond.
Gwyneth said: “He loved being a journalist and being with all the other staff. He was friendly and talked to anyone. Whenever we went on vacation and visited a bar it didn’t take long for him to chat. with someone and usually he was football and he remembered each team and their players and who had scored, he struck up a conversation with everyone.
“He loved going to the races. Ladies’ Day was his favorite. He got to know so many people.
(Image: submitted by Gwyneth Thompson)
“Peter has always worked hard, devoted to his family and loved his garden. We open it for the National Garden Scheme. He has never been more proud than when he shows people around his garden. I will continue that in his. memory.”
In one of his columns, Peter recalled when he joined the Grimsby Telegraph.
He said: “Shortly after I took early retirement from full-time teaching one day in February 1994, I was invited to interview the Grimsby Telegraph.
“An hour later, after meeting Peter Moore, the newspaper’s longtime editor, I was on my way back to Caistor as a Wolds correspondent. I was also given a camera.
“I consider this day to be the best career decision I have made in mid-life, in the context of changing times in education and allowing me to do what I might like to do, that is- ie write. “
His wife received messages of support from all groups with which Peter had been associated including Scouting, Cricket, Elsham Golf Club, Brocklesby Cricket Club where he was hailed as a great spin bowler, Caistor Male Voice Choir, Brigg Grammar School Old Boys and hockey.
One of his many accolades has been representing England on the hockey field.
He has traveled extensively with hockey teams that he has coached or officiated at a senior level.
Peter taught RE at the Vale of Ancholme School and Caistor Grammar School after Gwyneth, and returned from Cheshire to Lincolnshire in 1972. He was a high school house master.
He became a scout leader and once organized a cycling tour from Dorset to the Scottish border.
(Image: submitted by Gwyneth Thompson)
Peter and Gwyneth both fell in love with the Isle of Arran on the West Coast of Scotland and made regular trips there for breaks. The island off the Firth of Clyde is where Peter’s family will scatter their ashes after a funeral service later in June.
He played a leading role in sports training, mainly with the Brigg Hockey Club where he was very successful. He developed sides and encouraged young people to play sports. Most recently, he became a county umpire and officiated in the leagues.
During his journalistic career he met and photographed ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, David Cameron, William Hague, Matt Baker, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Nobby Stiles, Paul Scholes, Jack Charlton, Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown and AP McCoy , among others. .
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He also reported on the Lincolnshire earthquake in 2008, the epicenter of which was near Market Rasen. He had measured 5.2 on the Richter scale and rocked the houses to their foundations.
Peter also served for over a decade as secretary of the Church of England Deanery Synod in Lincolnshire.
He is survived by his wife Gwyneth, his daughters Lucy and Nichola and his son David and their respective partners Russell, Clinton and Alana and his granddaughter Eloise, four years old and his cousin Sylvia.
A date for a service to St Peter and St Paul in Caistor will be announced shortly.
His family said mourners will be able to attend outside as the service will be relayed through loudspeakers in the park.