Vice Captain ... 2001 Captain ... 2002 - 2003

Background: Born at an early age in Manchester, a Virgo no less (in typical Howarth fashion he adds - no cracks please - no pun intended). Always good to his mother - never went home. Brought up in the pub trade thus his proclivity for Bacchanial pursuits. Accountant by profession which accounts for a lot. The last 25 years of his working life was spent in the UK water industry - latterly 10 years as Divisional Manager for South West Water based in Exeter and as Director of Finance for Anglian Water based in Cambridge. With Mervyn Cooke he is a committed "Tractor Boy" (Ipswich Town Supporter).

Took up golf on retirement in 1995, and having played every sport going as a younger man he states with certainty that golf is technically and mentally the most difficult.

Contribution to the Venerables: He has brought style to the Venerables, as a bon vivant and a class golfer. A notable raconteur spiced with incisive mimicry and his penchant for Remy Martin, cigars and even the Club plonk with the lads, he has added a dubious glamour to the nineteenth. He has unfairly been called acid tongue and, inexplicably, blue rinse.

His golf is an inspiration. For someone into his sixties (just about) to be lowering his handicap is some achievement. His ambition (he says misplaced) is to have a single figure handicap. Anyway his competition successes are testament to his dedication. But we don't talk about his poncey putting grip - but as our 2001 captain would say "if you haven't tried it, don't knock it". Hole in one on 17th.

He promised himself on retirement that the would not be appearing on on any more committees, sub-committees, multi-disciplinary working parties, advisory groups, steering groups, development groups etc. etc. Now he finds himself as Captain of the Venerables and whilst deeply honoured, he is wondering how this has happened. ........ - what a load of tosh.

Update - March 2003: In January/February 2002, most of the Venerables became increasingly aware of the discomfort of staying on at the Meridian and decided to leave. With Pete Pirie, Peter arranged a haven for the Venerables at Heydon Grange and by March about thirty of us moved over to the new club. He quickly gained the confidence of managment and members alike, and was asked to become Captain of the Seniors. During his 16 months Venerables/Heydon Grange captaincy he shepherded his Venerable flock, he integrated us with the existing Seniors and introduced the golfing ethos that had been so succesful at the Meridian. We were lucky to have to had the right man during this period of adjustment.

"Get a load of my trophy" - .says he, flanked by the Turin shroud and Dewsbury