This is the eulogy by Canon Bill Richards at Peter Wenman's Service of Thanksgiving at St Peter's, Martley 30th March 2007.
'A village community has its own established way of ordering its life -and the various players are well known and long accepted.
An incomer wishing to get stuck in can easily become unstuck.
It is a measure of Peter's character that his brain child 'Music in Martley' ( a project entirely new to Martley in its artistic scope ) gained such wide appeal with this community.
It had smokey jazz pub nights, elegant garden concerts, school music competition, Humphrey Lyttleton and other luminaries in the Chantry school big hall, and packed (even crushed) concerts in this church involving professional and local music makers.
Peter was a very effective amateur impressario. More importantly however, he just loved to give our village a really great night out.
I believe the village responded because it trusted him. Peter certainly did it for Martley not for Peter. And we can only guess at the round the year work arranging artists, venues, equipment, food, loos, printing, seeking grants, chasing up late payers and so on.
Peter gave us some great events and the village acknowledged it with gratitude - despite the fact that he had just come from Kent in 1981.
Those who knew Peter in his Martley years have realised the close devoted relationship he shared with Jackie - and they with their family - and we admired them both.
Our thoughts are very much with Jackie today and in the coming weeks. Jackie was the heart of Peter's life.
As a lad Peter had served as an altar Boy in his local Church - and he retained through life an appreciation of the Anglican Christian Faith. So it was possible for me to speak briefly with Peter about dying, as a priest does with those who wish it.
There is a profound prayer that Jesus prayed as he died. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" It is a prayer that any of us of us can pray - at the end of the day, at the start of the day, in the middle of troubles over which we seem to have no control, whenever outcomes are unclear. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"
In that spirit we trust Peter - and indeed his family, into God's hands.'
© Bill Richards 2007
A note from the webmaster - Richard Jackman
I typed in the above wearing my old 'Music in Martley' sweatshirt having worked with Peter over a number of years.
I feel very privileged to have been involved with him and Music in Martley. Where else would I have had the opportunity to help set up shows for Helen Shapiro, George Melly, Chas & Dave and King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys -"How come everybody seems to know each other in this town?" as well as the sensational church concerts?
With very fond memories - thank you Peter
Richard