Peter Newcombe (63-70B)

My brother Peter sadly died in August 2020 at his home in Roscoff, France.

Peter was born at Bishops Tawton Devon, son of Queenie and George Newcombe. His Mother, Queenie, was a busy lady with a career in cookery -leading to teaching, radio and television.

He moved with our parents and me- Wendy -his older sister, to South Molton.

At the local school he formed the beginning of his life -long friendships.

Luckily for him, in 1963, some of his early friends also went on to West Buckland, namely Nick Dawe, John and Mark Popplewell As they were all Day boys, there was a handy parents rota of lifts to school! These school friends stayed with him all his life.

Peter started a banking career on leaving school in 1970. After a time, and, having married his first wife Alison, he switched careers and moved with Alison and Jake, their Afghan hound ,to Crediton. Here he learned about the wine business from his brother-in-law Peter Lee. Together they studied for qualifications in Wine and visited European vineyards.

Peter took over the running of one of their wine businesses, "The Beehive" in South Molton. Here he was a great support to our parents and a kind uncle to his nephews Jonathan and Julian. Always known as “Uncle Pete”.  On holiday in Brittany with his second wife, Jane and small daughter Lucy, he saw an advert for an English speaking manager of a wine “Cave”. He got the job and soon took it on as the owner.

He settled in Roscoff and made a life in France. Latterly he was given tremendous help from his partner Heather and with her help - they transformed the business.

French life suited him, always ‘a man of the people’, non -judgemental, unconventional and tolerant of different cultures -he spent many happy times in Marrakesh. Perhaps his formative years at West Buckland had contributed to that.

The picture of West Buckland School was given pride of place on the wall in his french house for his lifetime.

Wendy Lee (Peter's sister)