13/03/12…..Death of former Town Councillor

FORMER Town Councillor, Peter Cockayne, sadly died this week, after fighting cancer. Peter died peacefully at home in Holliers Close, Thame, on Thursday morning (March 8), aged 67. He leaves a widow, Val, and two children, Phil and Sophie.

Peter represented the Lib Dems as a town councillor between 1999 and 2007, and was also an original member of CMAG, the Cattle Market Action Group. He never missed an opportunity to raise the subject of causes close to his heart, particularly in his view, that the Cattlemarket, if it became available, should be developed for the good of the community. His doggedness to get his point across at council meetings was frequently the cause of some irritation to fellow councillors! He also represented the town council on the Steering Group of the 21st Century Thame Partnership for several years.

One of Peter’s greatest areas of interest was in road safety and particularly cycling. He was very involved in TWAC, the Thame Walking and Cycling group that produced cycle paths, new crossings and refuge islands throughout the town as part of the Better Ways to School project.

He tried and failed to persuade the town council to take part in a Pilot scheme to make the centre of Thame a 20mph zone. Peter was also very ‘hands on’ during the planning and negotiations for the development of the old Risborough to Thame railway line, into the Phoenix Trail and often turned up to help on regular litter-picking days along the trail.

Peter was for several years, a Security Officer at Waddesdon Manor.

The following tribute is reproduced from Thame Town Council’s website:

Peter spent his early years in Chigwell, Essex before moving eventually to Thame with Val and their young family in 1977 via Leytonstone and Northampton. Whilst he started his working life in hotel and catering management in London, most of his career was spent in sales management with the Electricity Board and until retirement, with British Gas.

From his early days in the town, Peter threw himself into life in Thame, initially stage- managing and acting with Thame Players, even including pantomime!
But his main passion was local politics. For many years, he was the main inspirer, organiser, motivator, etc. of the local Liberal Democrat party, selflessly giving his time, and use of his home, to the cause. He served Thame Town Council for eight years as a Town Councillor.

When the opportunity arose for some ?blue sky thinking? about the use of the cattle market, Peter was one of the first to be involved with the Cattle Market Action Group (CMAG). He was passionate that this last large space in the centre of the town be developed for the use of the community. Initially, until the North Street site became available, he had the vision of a new library being a central part of the cattle market development. Peter continued with CMAG until quite recently, also as a volunteer at Thame Museum and as a steward at Waddesdon Manor. A keen cyclist, he would often invite friends to share his ancient tandem. As a Sustrans supporter, he helped to get the Phoenix Trail established from its inception.

Peter served the town and community faithfully and will be greatly missed by his many friends and co-workers.

Peter’s funeral is to be held at St Mary?s Church on Monday 19th March at 2.30 p.m.