Tributes pour in for popular Bideford historian and councillor Peter Christie

Tributes have been pouring in from across Torridge and North Devon following the death of popular Bideford historian, author, former mayor and long-serving councillor Peter Christie.

A statement from his daughters Jessica and Maeve said he had passed away peacefully yesterday evening (Tuesday, February 20) at Fremington Manor, aged 73, following a short illness.

The author of 41 local history books and many articles in the local press even chose to write his own obituary, which you can read below following the tributes.

Flags across Bideford have been flying at half-mast for the popular Green party councillor, who served as mayor of the town four times as well as a Torridge district councillor for the past 33 years, as well as its chairman in 2014.

Above: The flag is at half mast at Bideford Town Hall. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Paying tribute to Peter, district council leader Cllr Ken James said he was a ‘passionate councillor’ who worked hard for his Bideford North ward but also everyone else in the district.

Mr James said: “A knowledgeable and eloquent speaker he was an active contributor to many of the key debates over the years and he will be missed by both the constituents he represented and fellow councillors. My condolences go out to his family at this sad time.”

Bideford mayor Jamie McKenzie said: “Peter brought passion, integrity, and a genuine commitment for the betterment of our community. As a councillor, he worked diligently to address the concerns of constituents, both at town and district levels, championing causes that truly mattered to the people. He was known for his common sense, pragmatism and his dry humour. Peter was not only a representative but a true advocate for everyone.

“He approached every issue with a thoughtful, insightful and inclusive mind-set, always striving to find common ground and build bridges within our community. Peter had an ability to bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Whether it was tackling local challenges or celebrating community achievements, he had a knack for making everyone feel heard and valued.

“Peter will be remembered, not only for his accomplishments but for the example he set – a life dedicated to service, compassion. He will continue to inspire us to carry on the important work of building a better community but he will be sorely missed.”

Cllr Doug Bushby, current TDC chairman, also paid tribute and said: “Peter was a fellow North Ward councillor who was passionate about doing the very best for his constituents. I had the privilege of working with him over the last 10 years on both the district and town council.

“His vast knowledge of the town and district never ceased to amaze me. A true gentleman who will be sorely missed. I thank him for his service and dedication to Bideford. My condolences to his family at this very sad time.”

The following obituary was written by Peter Christie himself:

A prolific author, Peter Christie was Britain’s first Green Party Mayor and the youngest ever Mayor of Bideford.

Born in Portsmouth to Roy, a youth employment officer and Sheila, a college secretary, he lived for a time in one of the prefabs hastily erected in that heavily bombed city.

His parents later moved to Bury St Edmunds where he attended King Edward VI Grammar School, where a poem in the school magazine was his first published work.

Leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy sailing around the world with the Shaw-Savill line. Leaving the sea, he became an archaeological worker before enrolling into a geography degree at Portsmouth Polytechnic and later becoming the first student in his department to undertake a postgraduate degree.

He obtained a lecturing post at North Devon College in Barnstaple where he stayed until 2012, also becoming an Open University lecturer and working for both the WEA and Exeter University.

After hearing Edward Goldsmith talk about the ecological crisis he joined the Ecology Party, being elected to Bideford town council in 1983 and becoming Mayor in 1985 – a post he filled on a further three occasions and coming top of the poll for the next 11 elections.

Above: Peter served as Mayor of Bideford on four occasions

In 1991 he was elected as a Green Party candidate to Torridge district council, becoming chairman in 2014. Here he co-founded a local nature reserve, set up a scheme to help establish local businesses and took on many environmental issues.

In addition to his lecturing job, he also ran a second-hand book and record shop for some 30 years in Bideford and published 41 books on North Devon history plus more than 1,000 articles in both the North Devon Journal and the North Devon Gazette.

From 2006 until his death he penned a weekly column on ‘Bideford Life’ for the Journal, as well as providing a page of old photographs and local history. Additionally from 1991 until 2004 he was Reviews Editor for The Local Historian the magazine of the British Association for Local History.

Somehow he also managed to fit in being a trustee of the Bideford Bridge Trust, the North Devon Maritime Museum and chairman of the North Devon Athenaeum.

In 1978 he married Judith Brown, a talented singer, though they divorced in 2001. He is survived by his daughters Jessica and Maeve, six grandchildren and his partner Annette Waehler.