Tributes Paid to Grimsby’s Answer to The Repair Shop – Peter Vaughan
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Warm tributes have been paid to a much-loved and “incredible” grandfather dubbed “Grimsby’s answer to The Repair Shop” who “didn’t realise how talented he was”. Peter Vaughan passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Tuesday, February 7, at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. He leaves behind devoted wife of 65 years, Maureen, daughter Jill and granddaughter Lucy, along with many dear friends.
The “true gent” was well known in the area for his many talents, most notably his crafting and woodworking skills and his ability to repair almost any item or piece of jewellery that needed fixing. Granddaughter Lucy told Grimsby Live: “He was a very clever yet modest man who didn’t realise how talented he was. He was able to turn his hand to anything in his ability to teach himself different trades to get on in life. He had a curiosity for knowing how things worked, learning how he could fix things for himself, and he would always have spare parts for everything ‘just in case’.
“He could turn his hand to anything, and he would have many people asking him to either make or repair many of their treasured items. If it needed repairing, he would give it the care, time, and skill to bring it back to life.”
Peter moved to Grimsby aged 20 in 1953 from Belvedere in Kent, when he was posted to RAF Binbrook to complete his national service, training as a radar mechanic. It was during an evening out in Grimsby at the former Gaiety Dance Hall, in Wintringham Road, that he met the love of his life and future wife, Maureen Reynolds. The couple married in 1957 and set up home in Halton Way, after Peter became a Freeman of Grimsby.
Following his time in the RAF, Peter found work as a senior shift chemist at Courtaulds Fibro Plant. In his spare time, he engineered a radio for Maureen’s father, and went on to convert televisions to receive ITV along with BBC. It was after the couple moved to Cleethorpes that they welcomed their only daughter, Jill, and Peter decided to take up a hobby – one that would remain a passion for the remainder of his life.
He began attending a silversmithing and jewellery-making class at Grimsby College, and acquired many qualifications. He loved the class so much that he began teaching two evening sessions a week when his teacher, Mrs Markham, was ill. Eventually, Peter gave up his job at Courtaulds and accepted a role at a local jeweller’s, Henry McCue’s, where he repaired and made commissioned jewellery. When Mrs Markham retired from her job at Grimsby College, it was Peter who took over and became a senior lecturer in the subject that had “taken over his life”.
Over the years, Peter contributed to dozens of local societies and groups through his repairing, crafting and teaching, and made the chain of the Freeman of Grimsby’s guild and the Freeman’s jewel. He also repaired trophies for the Cleethorpes Music Festivals and did significant work for Old Clee Church.
A memorial piece which Peter created in memory of people who died during the First World War is currently on display at Freeman Street Market. Peter also became a Freemason for the St Peter Lodge, in Cleethorpes, where he served as Master on two occasions and was awarded provincial honours. During his time as a Freemason, he made and refurbished many pieces used within the Lodge, including the past-masters’ jewel, candlesticks, tracing table, gavels and a pointer, which he created by melting down old vinyl records.
After Peter retired, he spent a significant amount of time in his workshop at home, concentrating on many other passions which had “taken a backseat” while he concentrated on making and repairing jewellery. After his only granddaughter Lucy was born, he took an interest in constructing rocking horses, and built her one for her first birthday. He went on to make one for his daughter, Jill, and more for his friends who still have them on display in their homes to this day. Peter also refurbished a broken rocking horse for the children at the Hope Street Clinic to enjoy.
Lucy added: “My grandpa was an incredible man who would do anything for anyone, he always took the time to help if he could. He was so talented, and many people continue to benefit from his exceptional skills today. He was kind, generous and a true gent. He was a lovely husband, dad, grandpa and friend to many and will be sadly missed.”
Peter Vaughan was an incredibly talented and modest man who was well-known in the Grimsby area for his crafting and woodworking skills and his ability to repair almost any item or piece of jewellery. His skills benefitted many different local societies and groups, ranging from the St Peter Lodge in Cleethorpes, to the Hope Street Clinic in Grimsby. He was a true gent and will be missed by his devoted wife, daughter and granddaughter, as well as his many dear friends.
