Prize guy Peter has the write stuff – aged 98
AGREAT- GRANDAD has discovered a talent for writing – after taking up the new hobby at the age of 98.
Peter Davies, from Bollington, entered a short story into the Grow Old Disgracefully competition, for people aged over 90, and has been named the winner.
His tale, which had to be no longer than 500 words, was called Five Shillings and tells of his love for flying and aeroplanes as a child.
After saving pocket money as an eight-yearold for his first ever flight, Peter would then sneak into a nearby airfield and explore the hangars.
He said: “We flew over the city but as we banked my view was of the sky so I went over the other side to have a look and two women screamed at me to get back otherwise we’d crash. It was quite something. You had to write about something from your childhood. It was just fun writing it and when I was told I had won I was rather chuffed. It’s the first time I’ve won something in my life.”
Peter’s love of flying led to him joining the Army Air Core during World War II and while serving he met his late wife Gina on a train – proposing to her within two hours.
The couple were then married for 72 years and had two daughters as well as two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Peter, of Calder Close, is well-known in Bollington and was the owner of Peter Davies Waste Disposal.
He has also been the Mayor of Macclesfield and the Mayor of Bollington.
The prize for winning the competition is £200 and a tree of the winner’s choice being planted.
Peter will have the tree planted at Dean Valley Community Primary, where he volunteered before lockdown.
Judges of the competition included actress Virginia McKenna.
Peter said: “In a way it’s opened up a new talent, before I’d been too busy living.
“It becomes all encompassing and a way of life, you get up in the middle of the night to write down a word that you think will fit somewhere in your story.
”Words are an important part of life and when you are sat at the computer the time doesn’t just pass, it disappears.”
Friend Pamela Haydock had persuaded Peter to enter the competition after realising his rich life had provided him with many stories to tell.
She said: “He has showed a special talent that he never knew he had. He really is the most interesting man, so many people are thrilled for him.”