Remembering Peter Neville

"A few years ago, when we gave Peter our support in his bid to become Chair of the Board of Trustees, we were not to know the far-reaching benefits that his chairmanship would bring. His wisdom, discretion and professional guidance made an immense contribution to the work and objectives of Benslow Music, by providing a period of stability that allowed it to be built into the organisation it is today."

This is not a formal obituary but merely some reminiscences in his memory. We met some 60 years ago when we matriculated in 1965 as Peter came up to St. Cath's to read metallurgy. Six years later we each married maths graduates from the 1967 intake at LMH; possibly not a co-incidence, as LMH is such a convenient punt ride away and was the nearest women's college in the times of segregation of genders. We shared a common interest in transport and celebrated this by Peter somehow persuading the JCR to support us in forming the St. Catherine's Transport and Communications Society which grand title allowed us to impress speakers each term; our most notable capture being Colin Buchanan who was then a leading proponent of sensible town planning and sufficiently eminent to get Peter and his guest a meal on high table. It also persuaded the reclusive Roye England - the founder of Pendon Museum - to come all the way from Long Wittenham with some of his exquisite model buildings which was their first ever outside travel. We lived in giddy times. Peter was precise and pedantic in his somewhat clipped way of speaking, with only a trace of Scots despite his living in far away Dundee. He delighted in the minutiae of rules and regulations. We were regaled with his plan to pay his battels with his signature on a banana skin when he read that cheques could be written on other than the little booklets supplied by banks. I don't think he followed this through (perhaps college records might know better) but he certainly took the opportunity of attending, as an observer, viva-voce examinations in the schools by donning sub-fusc as the regulations permitted. All doubtless good preparation for his career with patenting. He enjoyed rail travel and often chose to travel by somewhat unusual routes - such as one taking him via Emsworth and Hemsworth just for the homonym. His love of detail was employed when he became a regular commuter between his home in Digswell and 'the city'. Whenever feasible he rode in a different compartment each day and recorded the details of construction of the rolling stock - down to whether the window frames were mitred or butt-jointed and what moquette was used for upholstery, an invaluable resource for later authors of books on railway coaches. He was (and it is difficult to use this tense) a private person. He and Denise were married in an 'immediate family only' civil ceremony in 1971. They chose not to have children and died (Denise in 2024 and Peter 2025) similarly quietly and unobtrusively. Yet they were not recluses - they took part in local government, Peter played his cello in local musical activities and they regularly joined us and other friends. He helped teach me to drive (his own car had PWN plates) and very forcibly made me adept at gear changing. We shared many canal trips - he was a fellow founder member of the OU Canal Society. He was assiduous in remembering, for example, our wedding anniversary which often we ourselves forgot until we received his note. Those of us who knew him and Denise miss them.

Peter was a great friend of the Benslow Music library. It was appreciated that he always showed gratitude for the work of librarians after annual reports to trustees. He donated hard copies, also the copyright, of his many arrangements, mainly for multiple cellists.

Peter and I were both trustees of Benslow at the same time, so we shared many of the joys and challenges for over ten years. Peter was the most supportive and understanding of colleagues and friends, always prepared to go the extra mile to achieve the best outcome, whether is was supporting musical events or people. He was a generous and empathetic chair of both the council and Instrument Loan Scheme, who helped us to make considered decisions which always took account of the best interests of Benslow. He was never phased by challenges and gained enormous respect of everyone. But he was also a gifted musician on both the cello and double bass. I always enjoyed playing alongside him, benefiting from the tips he gave me on handling a large and tricky instrument. And if I wanted cheering up I would often refer to ’Tales from the Pit’. I know that all of us will remember him with much affection - he and his family are in my thoughts.

So sad to hear of Peter's passing. I knew him....... As a fellow double-bass player, I once asked Peter whether he knew of a double-bass player who could help me to navigate the central area of the D-bass fingerboard. Peter let me have the contact details of the UK's finest D-bass player, Leon Bosch. The result was a single 1.5 hour lesson at Leon's home, where, in one lesson, Leon taught me more than I had ever learned from any other single D-bass player!!

I was sad to hear about Peter's death when I was at Benslow just over a week ago for Symphony In A Weekend, but he had reached a good age, was, I believe, unwell, and I hope death came as a gentle friend to give him peace. I first met Peter at Benslow - it must be - almost 50 years ago. He was an excellent and knowledgeable musician, a superb cellist and later became a skillful double bass player. He was always kind, helpful and encouraging to other players. A very friendly, gentle-natured, quiet man. Jen Lynch, for many years a cello tutor at Benslow, said that, when her husband Maurice was terminally ill, Peter spent a lot of time with him, sitting with him, caring for him, and allowing Jen the freedom to pursue her activities. This is typical of Peter's practical kindness, help and understanding in a bad situation. Unfortunately I can't come to his party on 28 November (because of a living person [me]'s dates with dentists, window cleaners and other commitments), but I do remember him with love, and gratitude for having known him. He always made me feel better.

Peter and I were both trustees of Benslow at the same time, so we shared many of the joys and challenges for over ten years. Peter was the most supportive and understanding of colleagues and friends, always prepared to go the extra mile to achieve the best outcome, whether is was supporting musical events or people. He was a generous and empathetic chair of both the council and Instrument Loan Scheme, who helped us to make considered decisions which always took account of the best interests of Benslow. He was never phased by challenges and gained enormous respect of everyone. But he was also a gifted musician on both the cello and double bass. I always enjoyed playing alongside him, benefiting from the tips he gave me on handling a large and tricky instrument. And if I wanted cheering up I would often refer to ’Tales from the Pit’. I know that all of us will remember him with much affection - he and his family are in my thoughts.

I was very sorry to read about Peter Neville. I met him a few times at the Palm Court Orchestra weekends. He was such a friendly, kind man. I have attached a photo taken in 2019.

Peter was a great friend of the Benslow Music library. It was appreciated that he always showed gratitude for the work of librarians after annual reports to trustees. He donated hard copies, also the copyright, of his many arrangements, mainly for multiple cellists.