Peter Smoldon, the eldest of three Old Shebbearians brothers died suddenly shortly before Christmas at his home in Burnham on Sea, Somerset. He was 69.

Almost 300 people gathered at Allhallows and St Peter’s church, in the nearby village of West Huntspill for the funeral. Among them were six Old Shebbearians.

After Shebbear (1947-52) and National Service, Peter eventually took over the family business in Newport, Barnstaple, before moving into the world of heavy plant hire. He eventually owned his own company in Bristol.

In retirement he indulged in one of his passions – watching cricket and helping out at Gloucestershire Cricket Club. In his youth he had played for the Shebbear First Eleven and the Old Boys. He was also a former member of the Shebbear First Fifteen. An even greater passion was jazz, both as a player and hugely knowledgeable fan. A jazz band played at the funeral and at the wake afterwards.

Peter leaves a widow, Janet, three sons, a granddaughter and a brother Patrick whose twin Roger, a former headmaster and Justice of the Peace, died in 2002 aged 60, and after whom, the rugby ground at Sutton Coldfield is named.