A much-respected solicitor and coroner, who had a real passion for the local history of Eden, has died, aged 99.
Peter Pickles, formerly of Harp Hill, Armathwaite, was born at Ackworth, near Pontefract, in 1921.
He won a scholarship to Wakefield Grammar School and then studied law at Leeds University Law School and was an articled clerk in the city for five years.
Mr Pickles arrived in Cumbria at the end of the Second World War to work at the Hough, Halton, and Soal law firm in Carlisle and stayed with them until his retirement.
He was also coroner for east Cumbria for a number of years.
A very well respected solicitor, he loved his work, enjoying the variety of it, rather than specialising in one aspect.
He took a great interest in his clients, often going above and beyond for them, and many came back to him for advice, again and again, until not long before his death.
Mr Pickles met his wife-to-be, Hilda, who hailed from the North East, in Carlisle.
She had been teaching in Newcastle and came over to do adult lecturing around north Cumbria.
They married in 1948 at Armathwaite Church and lived together first at Carlisle before moving to Armathwaite in 1966.
At weekends, he would go all over the countryside on his motorbike, which gave him a long lasting love of the area and a great knowledge of local history.
But eventually, a pedal bike became his preferred mode of transport to get to and from work.
While Hilda was a district councillor, Mr Pickles became a parish councillor after he retired and he helped out with village activities, including the bowling club and Thursday Club.
He was also involved in a local history group, attending talks and trips.
In retirement, Mr and Mrs Pickles enjoyed several holidays in Europe before Hilda’s death in 1995.
In his spare time, he loved reading and, when he could still drive, he very much enjoyed going to the library and getting all his books.
He is survived by daughter Ruth, son Andrew and his wife, Mary, two granddaughters, Saskia and Katrien, and one great-grandson, Harry.
Thanks have been said to Beacon Home Care and staff at Winter’s Park Care Home for all their care, help and attention given to him, particularly during this very hard year.
A funeral is taking place today at Carlisle Crematorium and Walker’s Funeral Directors, Penrith, have charge of the arrangements.
