Peter Maitland
It is with great sadness that we report the death of our dear friend and colleague Peter Maitland, on Monday 13th May.
Peter was well known in the Parish of Stockland for his long-term service to the local community, as a Parish Councillor and member of the Stockland Turbaries Committee. For many years he was the Chairman of the Stockland Fair Committee, and he had also been a member of the community shop steering group.
Peter’s house was directly opposite the Kings Arms, and like many of us he was horrified at the closure of the pub in 2013, and was instrumental in organising opposition to the previous owner’s plans for developing the pub site.
At the first Management Committee meeting of SCPL in September 2013, Peter was elected as Vice Chairman and he remained in that office until May 2017, when he was elected to the office of Chairman. Peter served as Chairman throughout the crucial period of firstly opposing the previous owner’s planning applications, including the Public Hearing in Axminster, and then throughout the negotiating process that culminated in the successful purchase of the Kings Arms in January 2019.
As well as his activities at the heart of the village, Peter led a very busy professional life and his commitment to his international clients in particular meant that in February he felt he needed to step down as Chairman of SCPL, because he could no longer devote as much time as he would have liked to the project. He continued to serve SCPL as Vice Chairman, and he remained an active member of the Committee right up until the weekend when he was taken into hospital.
Peter was very passionate about the idea of bringing the Kings Arms into community ownership, but as well as the passion, he also brought a lot of energy and intellectual focus into solving the many issues and complexities we have encountered over the years.
It is a tragedy that Peter will not be around to enjoy a pint in the pub which he has worked so hard to preserve. When the Kings Arms re-opens, we hope you will want to join his colleagues on the Management Committee in raising a glass or two in his memory, inside the venue he did so much to save.
Peter’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 29th May 12.15pm at East Devon Crematorium, London Road, Strete Ralegh, Whimple, Exeter, EX5 2PT.