Sporting stalwart remembers the day Bobby Charlton brought joy to schoolchildren
Clutching his treasured football signed by Bobby Charlton, Peter Holmes recalls the day that the World Cup hero brought joy to 200 children from the West Midlands.
Peter, probably best known as the man behind the Wolverhampton Sporting Hall of Fame, was also in charge of Compton Park Activities Centre when he was approached by British Gas about holding a Bobby Charlton Sporting Day in June 1991.
He recalls how the football legend spent the day getting stuck in, trying his hand at a variety of different sports, ranging from judo to gymnastics as he mingled with the children who turned out for the event.
The event was mainly aimed at primary schools from Bilston, but Peter insisted that pupils from St Peter's Collegiate School, St Edmund's and Wolverhampton Girls' High School should also be invited to take part.
"Bobby Charlton was magnificent, he immersed himself in each of the activities," says Peter, who is now 92.
"He played a game of tennis with the children, he took part in judo, the only thing he didn't do was put on some bathers and get in the swimming pool.
"He came in at 9.30, and left at 4.30."
Peter, who was appointed an MBE for services to sport, was asked to suggest suitable activities.
"I said swimming, tennis, judo, gymnastics and football would be the most popular."
To commemorate the occasion, Peter was given a football signed by Charlton, as well as a painting of Ironbridge by celebrated artist Pollyanna Pickering.
The born and bred Wulfrunian discovered his love of sport as a youngster.
His passion also gave him a taste of overseas travel when in 1948, at the age of 16, he was selected to represent the British water polo team. This saw him play an unforgettable game against the Netherlands in the battle-scarred city of Arnhem.
Since then he has dedicated his life to sport through his work for Wolverhampton Council and is a well-known and hugely respected figure in the West Midlands and beyond.
A member of Wolverhampton Swimming Club for more than 70 years, he also clocked up more than 60 years treading the fairways at Penn Golf Club.
He has served the Staffordshire Swimming Association for 56 years, worked for Sport England, and been president of the West Midlands ASA. In 1999, he worked with Wolverhampton Council to launch the Wolverhampton Sporting Hall of Fame, set up to honour people from the area who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen sports.
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