Self-employed Chelmsford car mechanic Peter Fairhurst lost his courageous battle against bowel cancer six months after first it was diagnosed.

Peter, 58, who died at Broomfield Hospital on Thursday, November 22, leaves a widow, Vicky and children Sharon and Paul, and two grand-children.

Born at Howe Green he first met Vicky in their teens at Central Park, Chelmsford, and then they 'bumped' into each other dances held in Rainsford School where she was a pupil.

"He was mad about motor bikes and was a bit of a rocker. He had a number of crashes and when we first met he had broken his arm and it was in plaster.

"Later he broke his collar bone and so his mum banned him from riding motorbikes again," said Vicky.

Peter's sister Nancy recalled that "all things mechanical" held a fascination for him, even while in his pram he managed to undo two butterfly nuts so that the hood collapsed.

Nancy said he had a succession of cycles in his teens and once dived into swirling floodwaters to recover his Claude Butler racing bike.

His first motorbike, at 16, was a BSA Gold Star, but he made headlines in local papers after being caught by police carrying two 'passengers' on his way home from school down Broomfield Road.

Vicky was not interested in dating him when they first met, but Peter's heart was set on her and they eventually became engaged and then married at St Andrew's church, Melbourne, in 1966.

Peter worked for Brown & Sons, repairing cars in Navigation Road, Chelmsford, and latterly became self-employed opening his own workshop in a barn at Crays Hill, Wickford, which was more like an unofficial club house for bike enthusiasts.

He re-kindled his love for motorbikes through his son who took part in schoolboy trials events in the county and then 12 years ago he bought a rather splendid Honda Goldwing.

Peter and Vicky joined the Goldwing Owner's Club of Great Britain and would take part in a tours and rallys.

Sadly six months ago, happy-go-lucky Peter's life took a fatal turn when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and despite putting up a valiant battle, remaining cheerful throughout, it claimed his life in Broomfield hospital on Thursday, November 22.

The funeral service took place at Chelmsford Crematorium on Monday, December 3, and the family asked for donations to the Essex Air Ambulance which is supported by Goldwing riders.

Published Friday December 7, 2001