Peter

Peter is a keen gardener; his back garden is an oasis of calm, with beautiful plants and trees and a selection of fruit and vegetables growing too, including chillies, tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries.

But Peter’s career began in a very different field.

“I started out working for the Ambulance Service in Hertfordshire in the early 70s. After a back injury, I was assigned to the control room, but I knew that wasn’t for me.

“I decided to start a chauffeuring business, which proved really successful. I’ve driven a host of stars from the entertainment industry all over the UK, including Cliff Richard, David Essex, Vanessa Mae, Sarah Brightman and US artists, The Everly Brothers.

“Phil Everly was really easy-going; we just hit it off and he became a close friend. I still have photographs and memorabilia, such as signed concert programmes, from my days on the road with him and his brother, Don.

“I was privileged to be invited to his 60^th birthday party in 1999 in Hollywood and we kept in touch until he passed away in 2014.”

Peter gave up the driving job about 15 years ago and took up garden design, maintenance and landscaping. Although he retired at 65, he’s still designing gardens and helping others with theirs, as well as maintaining his own.

“Gardening is great for keeping fit. It’s a bit of manual labour, but you can make it easier by having everything at a level you can reach without having to bend down. I’ve made my garden as accessible as I need it to be for my own physical health. I have arthritis, so I’ve planned most of my garden to be at knee height and the hanging baskets at a height I can reach to water them.

“Gardening is also good for your mental health; it stops you being bored and it’s lovely to see what you’ve achieved and watch it change over the seasons. I have grasses by my pond, and when the wind blows, I find it really relaxing and therapeutic.

“I’m often asked for tips from people who don’t know where to start, or who only have a small patio area or balcony. I tell them to plant things that don’t need a lot doing to them – you can still get joy from it. You can buy dwarf fruit trees to plant in pots, like a cherry, which is great for a small garden. Hebes are bushy, evergreen shrubs and they’re great, as well as perennials that will give colour every year. You don’t even need a big pond – you can use an old dish, which will attract insects. All this will give you the sense of having a garden, no matter what outdoor space you have available.

“My other main hobby is art, though I’m not as talented as my daughter. She teaches art and has a pop-up shop. She’s very creative, making ceramics and cards and silk screen printing designs.

“For the last few years, once a month or so, a group of seven of us get together in my garden to draw and paint. We’re a diverse bunch and we’re all in our 60s/70s; we met at another art class but started our own. We use a variety of materials, but mainly watercolours, though I mostly use pens, which I find easier these days. I’ve exhibited my artwork and sold it too. As well as the painting and drawing, our little group likes a good discussion too, and we also enjoy some food and drink; it’s like a little family get-together.

“Other than gardening and art, my hobbies are walking in my nearby park, music and reading. I like to support my local bookshop and very much enjoy a good autobiography.

“I’ve also recently invested in a turntable so I can play records from my beloved vinyl collection. My all-time favourite music is 60s and Tamla Motown, as well as rock and roll and the blues. I’m also a fan of really melodic music from the likes of Del Amitri and Deacon Blue. But my favourite artist at the moment is Joe Bonamassa, an American blues rock guitarist; even Eric Clapton thinks he’s amazing!”

Peter’s lived in his Bedfordshire home for eight years now.

“I love living here, I enjoy every minute. My bungalow is in a wonderful spot and I have a lovely view. My neighbours and local community are great too; we get on so well and help one another, it’s like a real family atmosphere.

“I think everyone can help to create a good community by helping others, if you’re able to. It doesn’t cost you anything to be polite and it’s nice to be nice to people.”