When the bypass arrives think of Peter, he drove the road forward
a house in Maybole in 1997, his community spirit really flourished.
Peter’s best talent was probably winding people up; to the point that they never knew whether he was being serious or not, which, on certain occasions, certainly backfired on him. He was not the most patient of men and always looking for a bargain.
As many people knew, spelling and grammar were never his strongest attributes. He could talk – boy could he talk; but texting and emailing!
Many M an email has been sent se which made no sense whatsoever, w but he knew what he was trying to say.
Peter joined the community co council not long after moving to Maybole and over 25 years he held various positions – fro from chairing committees to be becoming vice- chairman and ch chairman.
It is perhaps fitting that Pe Peter’s funeral was on the bi birthday of Robert Burns as he w was involved with a few Burns ev events in Maybole.
There was “Where it began” in 2007 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the marriage of William Burns and Agnes Broun at a church in Maybole. Then there was “The Year of Homecoming” in 2009, to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns.
Pe t e r w a s a b l e t o communicate with people, no matter their status; famous, rich, poor, young and old. It made no difference – he was just Peter.
Town twinning had a huge effect on Peter’s life. Although not officially involved as an office bearer, it was through twinning that he met Senga, inset, and they eventually married.
Peter had many years of involvement with Ayrshire LEADER including representing the organisation as part of a delegation to Talinn, the capital of Estonia, and receiving a standing ovation for his presentation.
He was the mainstay of the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum for many years. As chair, he was influential in getting funding for a variety of projects in Carrick.
He was also chair of the Association of South Ayrshire Community Council and in that role he secured the money to create the South Ayrshire Bruce Trail.
Peter also led the project Maybole 500 which was a celebration of the 500th anniversary of Maybole being created a Burgh in 1516 and included a wide range of events.
He worked closely with the Maybole Branch of the Royal
British Legion Scotland in the Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday and Holocaust Day services. The branch is claimed to be the oldest in the country.
The Maybole Over Fifties group will be another big part of Peter’s legacy. MOFs crystallised from the local Opportunities in Retirement group and brought local people together for lots of activities and events.
He was a great supporter of Maybole Community Association.
He was a member of Maybole Castle Community Trust – trying to create a group to take ownership by the community and to ensure the castle would be restored and become a vibrant and viable part of life in Maybole and beyond.
Peter was also a director of May- Tag Ltd for a number of years. The company created many employment and training opportunities as well as funding events in the town.
The Maybole Pathfinder project was new, exciting and innovative at the time. Its purpose was to investigate new ways of developing and managing community assets within Maybole. It involved working with councillors, consultants and local groups. All partnership working.
Peter was involved from the earliest negotiations with windfarm companies and the setting up of North Carrick Community Benefit Company which has received over £ 1m in the past five years from ScottishPower Renewables and available for community benefit.
He chaired Maybole Men’s Health Forum and Covenanters Gait Residents Association.
Plus, there was Maybole One Stop Shop which had almost 1,000 clients; generated well over £ 100,000 extra income for clients, created new jobs; as well as setting up the Golden Oldie Movie Club and a sensory garden. Peter was chair of the Community Council at the time and Fr Stephen was chair of Maybole One Stop Shop Committee.
Peter loved to see other people recognised for what they did for the community. In turn, he was recognised as well.
He was the 2018 winner of the Matt Dunnachie Award, the modern day equivalent of the town’s Citizen of the Year Award.
For all his community work, Peter was given a special award by the community council last year and the inscription on the rose bowl he was given says, “Presented to Peter Mason for his passionate and unwavering service to Maybole and South Ayrshire”.
Peter’s life was not an average one. He was a one- off. He called it as he saw it; generous of spirit, passionate, controversial, persevering, committed.
He could laugh at himself. Even if he knew he was wrong, he could turn his view round about to be right.
He will be forever in our thoughts, our prayers and our hearts.
As the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell said: “To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.”