THE COVID MONTHS |A LOVING FAREWELL TO PETER

Sarah Greening rembers the first Northern Guild training group she and Peter joined and her lifelong frienship with him.

The first TA Psychotherapy training took off in autumn 1988, and our counselling group of the previous year dovetailed into it. It was clear from the outset when a pony-tailed Peter walked in that here was an interesting, deep thinking man, quick to humour and equally quick to talk with great interest on any subject under the sun! Peter was the son of a Russian Jew and his Russian heritage shone through his features: searching blue eyes, a strong Slavic jaw and a well kept goatee beard. And that voice. I loved Peter’s voice; deep, resonant, full of energy and rich in tone. It was a voice he was not afraid to use; sometimes with a gentle sensitivity, at others with a combative and insistent manner, determined to get to the truth of things. Peter loved to hold court; his curiosity and joy of intellectual engagement always drew us into rich and fascinating conversation. Occasionally, we had to interrupt his flow to get a word in ourselves but he never took umbrage at this, and always gave way with grace. Peter had strong morals and values which he lived congruently and thoughtfully. He could be rather a maverick, a part of his character I hugely enjoyed. Peter also brought a strong professionalism to our training group, having worked for many years in Social Services. Peter’s professional experience was one of the reasons Christine suggested we become a paired supervision group and I learnt such a lot from him. He was very kind to me and shared his knowledge generously.

Peter’s relationships were strong and long lasting; most important to him was his close and loving relationship with Yvonne, with whom he shared a life for over 40 years. We will all miss Pete terribly. I will remember him as a very clever, curious, playful and deeply loving man. I like to think of you now, Pete, resting in the beauty and wildness of the Westerdale moors.