Peterborough to honour Peter Boizot and Peter Peckard

Peterborough City Council’s Honours Panel has agreed to honour and commemorate the lives of two men who both achieved great heights in their lifetimes whilst living and working in our city.

Peter Boizot MBE was a well known figure in Peterborough and globally he was recognised as an entrepreneur, restaurateur, politician, art collector and philanthropist. To the rest of the world he is best known as the founder of Pizza Express but to the people of Peterborough he was the owner of Peterborough United Football Club, The Broadway Theatre and The Great Northern Hotel.

MORE: Peterborough remembers ‘good man’ and ‘wonderful spirit’ Peter Boizot

Peter sadly died in December 2018. The Honours Panel has decided to honour him and discussions are underway as to the most fitting tribute that can be given to him and this will be discussed further at the next panel meeting.

Following a recommendation by Councillor John Holdich, Leader of Peterborough City Council it was also agreed to honour Dean Peter Peckard’s life and work. The panel has suggested a plaque on the first floor of the Town Hall.

Peter Peckard was regarded as the father of the abolishment of slavery movement. He is buried in Peterborough Cathedral having served as Dean of the Cathedral between 1792 until his death in 1797. Throughout his life he used his sermons to speak out against the slave trade which went against popular opinion as slave trading was considered normal and legitimate.

Sadly Dean Peckard died years before the Slave Trade was outlawed in 1807 but without doubt his determination to educate all regarding slavery led to this law being passed.

MORE: Plans for lasting memorial to former Peterborough Dean known as father of slave abolishment

Chair of the council’s Honours Panel, councillor Peter Hiller, said: “It is essential that we honour the history of people in Peterborough and this is why we meet as a committee to decide who to bestow honours upon.

“Dean Peckard was a visionary and a brave man who spoke out repeatedly on slavery many chose to simply accept as a way of life.

“I am proud that we are as a city choosing to celebrate in him in this public way and hope his legacy inspires many to continue to fight social injustice.

“Peter Boizot MBE was a remarkable man who embodied the spirit of our great city to the extent he was known as Mr Peterborough.

“As man and boy he was a very proud citizen of Peterborough and poured the majority of his personal fortune into the cultural life of our city. All he ever wanted to do was give back to our city and as such we are now meeting to ensure we install a fitting tribute for him.”

The Honours Panel next meets in September.