Local Faces: Peter & Veronica Lockett
Peter and Veronica met in 1964 at Kodak in Harrow Weald, where they both worked. They married on 28 June 1969 and moved to Bedgrove, as houses were much cheaper than in the Harrow area. Peter commuted to Kenton every day and Veronica worked for the then Aylesbury Rural District Council.
They joined Group 20 (a social group for people aged between 20-35 years) until their daughter Clare was born in 1974. Andrew followed two years later in 1976. Before moving to Wendover in 1981 they lived in Chearsley, where the children boosted the school population, approx 25 pupils.
When the children joined John Hampden First School Peter soon became a member of the Friends of John Hampden helping to arrange barn dances to raise money. Veronica taught at St Mary’s Sunday School and as the children progressed to the Middle School Peter became a Foundation Governor and Veronica assisted with cross country runs. Both children belonged to Aylesbury Music Centre and undertook their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards through either the High School or the Henry Floyd. When Clare received her gold award, her one guest was her dad.
Veronica helped out with the Guides and for a short time worked at the Jack in the Box play group. She then went on to work in St Mary’s parish administration for eight years, and still helps arrange the weddings on a voluntary basis. In 2002 Veronica joined Wendover U3A, followed by Peter on retirement, and as part of the Travel Team has arranged holidays and day trips. She also runs several groups. At present Veronica is chairman of Wendover U3A, her three year term of office ending in 2017. Peter has helped with the Scouts for many years, currently as a member of the Scout Active Support section. You can now find him each month working on the restoration of the Wendover Arm of the Canal.
Both Veronica and Peter are members of St Mary’s church and over the years have had many roles – Peter as Churchwarden, an interesting time during the refurbishment, and server; and Veronica as Sacristan and Assistant Warden. Veronica is also part of the team that set up Sages, a group for seniors, 12 years ago and which still runs. Both Peter and Veronica are keen gardeners, Peter having two allotments. During their leisure time they walk (both with U3A and with friends) and also like barn dancing and jazz.
Peter recently joined the steering group of the Wendover Neighbourhood Plan, as a representative of Wendover U3A, with a special remit of Conservation and heritage.
