Peter Carter: A true Appleton Villager

6th July 1930 to 1st August 2010

OXFORD MAIL OBITUARY SEE LINK Oxford Mail Obituary

Appleton 13th August 2010: Peter Carter, who died on Sunday 1st August 2010 aged 80, was born in Appleton in 1930 and was to spend his life in the village he loved. His father, William George Carter, began his building business in Appleton in 1947 and formed WG Carter Ltd in 1955.

Serving his apprenticeship with Hinkins and Frewin as a master carpenter and cabinet maker, Peter joined his father in the building business in 1952 having completed his National Service.

Peter was a Parish Councillor on the Appleton-with-Eaton Parish Council for 35 years (1968 to 2003) and he was deeply involved in many parish issues over those years - from the early days of the Appleton Sportsfield, the rebuilding of the Village Hall after the fire in March 1987, the low-cost housing at Horseshoe Close to the opening of the Appleton Community Shop in the year 2000.

Jane Dymock, Clerk to the Appleton-with-Eaton Parish Council, said of Peter: “He would listen to council matters and quietly make his contribution which would be concise and accurate. The wellbeing of the community was of paramount importance to him.”

Peter was also a Trustee of Appleton Trust which awards school leavers with grants for books, contributions to parishioners funeral costs and winter heating allowances for the elderly. With his lifetime knowledge of the community this was a trusteeship he relished.

Although Peter “retired” from WG Carter Ltd in 1995 he continued to show an interest in what sons Paul and Roger have done to ensure the business thrives to this day.

Peter’s later years were beleaguered with ill-health which he struggled through manfully with the love and support of his wife Betty: they were an inseparable couple and our thoughts are with Betty, Paul and Roger.

The Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Peter Carter was held in Appleton’s St Laurence Church on Monday 16th August at 11:30am and the family requested Family flowers only and any donations will be for Appleton PCC (St Laurence Church). An overflowing church with close family, friends, business acquaintances and village friends, was lead by Reverend Lyn Sapwell with an address by close friend of the family, Kevin Larsen. A fittingly beautiful day to lay a true Appletonian to rest.