Peter
John Garlick 6th October 1940 - 15th February
2015
My good friend, Peter,
former work colleague, fellow bus museum stalwart and IOW MMOC
member lost his brave fight against a long illness on February 15th.
I first met Peter in
the winter of 1985/6 when I joined Southern Vectis and decided that I
wanted to obtain what was then a PSV license. Coming from London
Transport I drove buses regularly but as an engineer I did it on a
heavy car license despite having passed a full PSV test. I was a
cocky 36 year old chief engineer so just got Pete, who was the
Southern Vectis driving instructor, to make sure I knew what the test
involved. I was too cocky as I failed at the first attempt due to
incorrect mirror procedures which I tried to blame on Pete for not
picking up! I took the test again the next day and passed and I am
pleased to say Pete and I did not fall out over the incident! The
only looser was Southern Vectis who had to pay another test fee.
I organised a Southern
Vectis open day and was keen for us to offer drives of buses to the
public. Peter shared this dream and volunteered to do this and it
proved a brilliant success: Pete was in his element and his knowledge
and personality allowed many to achieve their ambition to drive a
bus. I was amazed that we were able to hire Coppins Bridge car park
for the day and obtain full insurance cover for the event: I doubt
that this would be possible today.
He will be remembered
as a past Mayor of Yarmouth and was very much involved with the
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival and Yarmouth Carnival. He also served
on the Yarmouth Harbour Advisory Committee where he had also been a
commissioner. He had been a Yarmouth Town councillor for 18 years.
Peter bought his Minor
from his very good friend Bill Edwards and joined the club in March
1996. It was a Trafalgar blue 1967 4 door HDL 414E, christened H
Diddle by Bill's wife Ann. This car looked good above the water line
but was not so good below and Pete was forced to scrap it after
some 5 years of ownership but remained a member.
With his wife Brenda
and friends Bill and Ann Edwards they were known as the Freshwater
four. They were regulars at our Christmas weekends (in February) at
the Windsor Carton Hotel in Ventnor. Many will remember that before
his illness he volunteered to drive the Old Girl for our rally and
Bill often conducted for him.
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| Brenda and Peter |
His funeral was held on
Friday 27th February at Christ Church, Totland Bay and
this big church was full and there were people standing: a tribute to
how he was loved and respected by so many. Club friends present
included Malcolm and Mary Jones, Dave Gilliam, Helen Danby, Bill and
Ann Edwards, and myself.
Rest in peace, Pete and
we sent our condolences to his wife Brenda and family. Like many
others I will miss him. The club has made a donation to the Hospice
in his memory.
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| Peter's Jaguar X Type - nice wheels! |
Alan Peeling
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