Peter Collins

[LawrenceCooper]

https://www.wdclchess.org.uk/blog/news/peter-collins/

"Sad news I’m afraid, Pete Collins wife Carol has just told me that Pete has past away in the care home. His health had been deteriorating and in the end it was a happy release.
Carol asked that we contact the Funeral Directors Jukes of Lichfield directly to get details of the funeral if anyone wants to attend.

Pete was Lichfield first team captain and club chair for over 40 years. He played his last game in Dec 2023 since when his health has been deteriorating and he has been in a care home for the last year. Pete was well known across the midlands, playing in the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Cannock and Derbyshire leagues. Captaining Lichfield to League Championships in all these leagues and winning several cups in the process."

[Kevin Thurlow]

Is this the same Peter Collins that worked for PERME (Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment) years ago and also played for Government Chemists in the Civil Service League? (We had a variety of scientists in the teams...)

[Paul Habershon]

Is this the same Peter Collins that worked for PERME (Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment) years ago and also played for Government Chemists in the Civil Service League? (We had a variety of scientists in the teams...)

Almost certainly not. The subject of the thread is Peter M Collins who played for Southampton University when I was also in Hampshire in the 1960s. I remember his impressive grade of at least 190 There was also a P H Collins around.

Peter M Collins and I became reacquainted years later at many successive British Senior Championships where he was a congenial dining companion. He was a maths teacher and often talked about his tennis club. I suspect he was a highly competent club tennis player and can imagine his great height being dominant at the net in doubles.

Peter was a stalwart of club chess and I was already feeling his absence from recent ECF congresses.

[Carl Hibbard]

My captain at Lichfield for more years than I care to remember he will be sadly missed.

[John Townsend]

Thanks to Paul for the disambiguation.

I played against P.M. Collins, of Southampton University, in the 1966 British Universities Championships at Oxford.

I played P.H. Collins on 7 March 1970 in a county match between Berks. and Hants. - at Southampton, but, apparently, a different person.

[Kevin Thurlow]

Thanks all, and apologies for the confusion, ours was PM Collins as well, and the rating profile seemed similar.

Sympathy to the family and friends.

[John Keaveney]

Pete joined Lichfield chess club in the early 80’s and very quickly became an integral part of the first team, it wasn’t long before he became captain of the team and subsequently club chairman, posts which he occupied for more years than I care to remember. He led Lichfield to many successes winning Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Derbyshire Division 1 titles as well as numerous cup competitions. As a player he was capable of competing and defeating some very good players victims included David Anderton and Jana Bellin to name but two. Outside chess he was a keen tennis and table tennis player and enjoyed the odd flutter on the horses. A sad loss for local chess, he may be gone but he won’t be forgotten. RIP Peter.

[Simon Rogers]

The funeral arrangements have been made.
It is on Monday 23rd February at 12.30pm.
Fradley Crematorium, Fradley Lane, Fradley, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8GA.
There is a gathering at Seedy Mill Golf Club, Seedy Mill Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8HE.