Peter Townsend
Arrangements for the funeral of Dr. Peter Townsend
Thursday 13th April 2017 at 12 noon
Family and friends are gathering to acknowledge Pete’s passing, and to celebrate his life.
A service will take place at St Peter’s Church in Inkberrow followed by burial at Westall Park Natural Burial Ground.
Peter’s family have asked that only family and close friends attend the burial at Westall Park, but would love everyone else to re-join them from 3pm at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston.
Please share this link with anyone who may wish to know about the funeral.
Please see below for directions and further information, and feel free to send any messages to Pete’s family via the form below.
Address: The postcode for the Church Hall is WR7 4DZ
Inkberrow is on the A422, approximately 14 miles from both Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon. It is easily accessible from both the M5 and M40 motorways and lies 20 miles south of Birmingham.
Once inside the village, turn into Church Lane running alongside the village green. Drive down past the church and turn right into the drive leading to the car park. From the car park there is a gravel footpath and steps leading to St. Peter’s Church.
A map can be found by clicking this link.
Westall Park is one of the UK’s finest natural burial grounds and aims to create a place which those who wish to remember their loved ones will want to visit, not out of a sense of duty, but from the pleasure and peace of mind it can evoke. Westall Park has created an eco-friendly cemetery as a place for quiet reflection in an informal setting amongst trees, wild flowers and wildlife. Eventually it will become a woodland glade, full of nature where all wildlife is encouraged to thrive.
After the service family and close friends will leave the church and make their way to Westall Park which is a little over 2 miles from the church.
Westall Park is essentially a field, so suitable footwear is advisable, especially as you will be climbing a gentle grassy slope in order to stand next to the grave.
We’re hoping the sun will shine but be prepared to bring extra clothing appropriate for time outdoors and an umbrella.
Address: Holberrow Green, Nr Redditch, Worcestershire, B96 6JY
A map can be found by clicking this link.
The Terrace Suite has been reserved for everyone to gather again from 3pm. Here refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of space to share stories and memories of Pete.
Please ensure you validate your parking in the car park when you come into the Botanical Gardens Reception. Parking is free but you must ensure you do this to avoid any mistaken parking fines.
Address: Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR
A map can be found by clicking this link.
There is no particular dress code. Please come dressed in whichever way you feel comfortable and whatever feels appropriate.
Please feel free to bring flowers if you wish (but please remove any plastic packaging or bases as appropriate for a natural burial ground)
If you would like to make a donation in Pete’s memory we will be collecting for Acorns Children’s Hospice on the day of the funeral. Otherwise you can donate online here: Donations
Farewell my friend.
You are in my heart.
Forever,
Karl
Dear Atika
We are so sorry to hear about Pete and your loss. We unfortunately cannot make the funeral as we are currently away but will be with you in our thoughts.
Take care.
Julian, Katie and the girls.
Farewell Pete, Bereavement will be miss you.,
Dear Atika,
Please accept our condolences. He will forever be in our heart and you and the family in our thoughts at this time.
God bless.
Yours
Yemi and Nike Babatola
Condolences to the family. He was a good person and a good doctor. We will miss you.
Dear Atika,
Peter has meant so much to all who met him on life’s way. He has always been described as a very decent & pleasant man.
So hope you know how many share the loss you feel at the moment.
With my deepest Sympathy to you & all his Family.
Yours
Hala
Farewell Pete, an outstanding and compassionate man with a humongous sense of humour. Will be sorely missed by many.
Tika my heart goes out to you and all the family, thinking of you xx
I am so sorry to hear about Peter’s death. He was my very best friend at infants and junior school back in Hangleton in the late 1969s/early 1970s – we first met when we were 4 years old and instantly became firm friends! We had many good times together.
When he moved to South Wales we lost touch and I last saw him about 25 years ago when he unexpectedly turned up at my house – wanting to watch an England football match!
I was wondering tonight whether I could track Peter down again and found this… I’m so, so sad to hear he has gone.
I never met his wife or daughter but I send my sincerest condolences. I’m not surprised to hear from these tributes that he grew up into a fine man – he was a fine boy and a good friend.
Sending my deepest sympathy to Atika and all of Peter’s family. Peter was one of if not the most compassionate, generous, committed, brilliant, interesting and interested people I have ever met. Pete – thank you for your friendship, laughter, challenging discussions – and wine! I will be thinking of you all on Thursday and am only sorry I cannot be there in person to bid farewell and celebrate your all-too-short but amazing life.
Fozz x
Dear Atika
Such sad news. Please accept my deepest sympathies. Pete was a great man and will be missed. I apologise that cannot make the service as I am in Mecca, but will pray for you and Pete’s family.
“And behold, Verily with every difficulty comes ease” Quran 94:5
Dear Atika,
Words cannot express the sadness we feel about your loss. Peter was a wonderful man with a big and generous heart and I will never forget our days of training when I counted on his words of wisdom and his huge sense of humour. Keep hold of your memories and they will bring you comfort and peace. Even though we are unable to join you in commemorating his life, our thoughts are with you and your family. We will always be here for you.
Dalvina and Liviu
Rip in peace mate. Was a pleasure to have met you. Top bloke taken far too early. Regards to Petes young family and wife.
Even though I don’t work in the NHS. He showed true kindness the day we met. And never changed all the years I knew him. A great loss ???????
I met Peter 15 years ago and regularly took patients to him in theatres from cardiology. He was always professional polite and engaged in friendly banter. I saw him some 6 weeks ago and reminded him of one of our discussions ‘to grow up disgracefully’ I saw him some 6 weeks ago and reminded him of this plan it was not to come here as a patient. I wish Peter peace where ever he may be and can conclude that we have lost a genuine spirit
So sorry to hear this sad news Atika.
Farewell Pete, your infectious humour and kind heart will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with you Tika with love Livvy and family
Thinking of you at this sad time , heart felt condolences , may he rest in peace x
David & George
May he enjoy eternal rest. With heavy heart, reluctantly we give him up. Bless you Peter, your enthusiasm for life was infectious and you were a confirmed bon viveur. I only met you twice, but I will always remember you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family today and always. Far too young to be walking the streets of heaven.
Pete
Dr Townsend.
A great guy, caring and compassionate doctor.
Lovely colleague to work with, to which I have had the pleasure for many a year.
He helped me and many more to better themselves professionally and was always at hand to guide people when they could have done something better-that was occasionally done in the Townsend manner with a touch of sarcasm! That will be sorely missed.
However, I will always regard him as a friend to which I’m sure many will have had the benefit of doing so. Pete departure has left a void for everyone, but he will be remembered fondly.
My deepest regards for Atikka and Sabina!
My deepest condolences to Atika and family.
Pete will be dearly missed by all. He taught me when a I was a trainee, he helped me as a consultant and had been there when my uncle need his care. I will miss most his generous nature, kind heart and his smile.
Rest in peace.
Khalid & Tehseen
Dear Atika, your terrible news only just reached me. My heartfelt condolences to you on your loss. Cherish the memories you both shared and stay strong. Love Jon Raphael
Tika, I am so sorry to hear this news. He was funny and kind and I was fortunate to have had his support as a colleague. My deepest sympathies. Cliona
I am devastated to hear that Peter has died and so young. I worked with Peter at Poole Hospital for many years and he was such fun. He had a smart sense of humour and a wonderful smile…. with a Townsend giggle!!
RIP my friend
Anne
I grew up with Peter in South Wales and I would like to pass my love and condolences to the family. He was a very close and dear friend and a very special man.
I have only just heard the overwhelmingly sad news of Pete’s passing in 2017.
I now live in New Zealand but I knew Pete back in the mid-90’s when I worked in Birmingham with him.
Pete was a lovely person with a great sense of humour, and was also a wonderful doctor – caring and compassionate. His widespread reading and knowledge made for many an interesting conversation. It was down to Pete’s encouragement that I ventured away from health to pursue a degree in a subject I was passionate about. I have always been grateful to him for that.
I’m sure Pete has left a big void in the lives of his family and friends. My deepest sympathies to Pete’s wife and daughter.
Goodbye Pete – rest in peace.
Shona
Atila and Sabreena
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Peter in 2000 on a Rotaplast mission in Venezuela, I was the team interpreter and we became good friends. He was a good person, sweet and compassionate. I traveled to London in 2003 with my daughter Sabrina and he came to spend a day with us.
I send you a big hug, I am sure you have beautiful memories of him.
Love
Monica
Hello Monica. Thank you for your kind words. I am still in disbelief that he is no longer with us. It’s been 5years and it’s not true, time does not heal but leaves you scarred.
We still have a deep void without my Peter
My Dear Friend Pete, I worked with Pete many times and he always made me laugh with his large bowl of chocolates while we were working together. I was shocked to hear you were diagnosed with terminal cancer and I never got the chance to say good bye to you personally. My condolences go to Pete’s wife Atika and his family. God bless Pete, you are truly missed by all in Cardiac Theatres.