Having lived next door to Maureen, Peter had little choice but to become a member of the reading group that she leads.

Legend has it that she jumped over the garden fence and dragged him to the pub and try though he might, he was unable to resist her charms and was eventually won over by the curry and a pint that was on offer.

He is still one of the few people we know who can still hold a reasoned, intellectual debate after several pints.