KNOWN to many as Mr Tedburn, a legend, Peter Bromell’s 90th birthday was celebrated with at least three village parties and his own family party over the weekend September 21 and 22.

Tedburn St Mary has been Peter’s life, born there into a farming family, went to school there, worked, married and lived there all 90 years, seeing some great changes.

For 50 years he delivered milk around Tedburn and Pathfinder Village from their own cows first by pony and trap.  That only lasted three weeks before Peter got a van.  

He raised many hundreds of pounds for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hospiscare, receiving the British Empire Medal for services to the village. 

His cousin, John Bromell, was chairman of Tedburn Village Hall Committee for a long time.  When John died, Peter was vice chairman and took on the chairmanship, which he held for many years. 

He joined Tedburn Parish Council and, in 1956, had several spells as chairman, for one term he was chairman of Teignbridge District Council, having been a member for Teignbridge North.

He was pleased to have been instrumental in keeping the road junction at Fingle Glen on the main A30 open, among many other achievements.

Peter has been involved with Tedburn Fair and Gymkhana.  

He and his brother Eric helped in creating the Recreation Field, Peter staying as a member of the committee and has been its chairman. 

A member of Devon County Agricultural Association for more than 40 years, Peter was a Steward in the Food and Drink Hall at Devon County Show, receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

He was part of the group who set up the Bonfire Committee in Tedburn and the village Carnival, no longer run. 

In 1989 he was much involved in setting up Outreach at Tedburn, was on the church flower arranging rota, helped set up Tedburn’s allotments, organised holidays by coach for local people, was a member of the Lions Club of Exeter West, a keeper of bees and an avid gardener.  

He has even been Father Christmas and played the part of the Dame in many Tedburn pantos.

He was married to Rosemary who died several years ago.

Peter said he had enjoyed life and the last two or three days of celebration for him had been “really nice”, adding that he could not have done what he had without the support of many people, thanking all of them.  

His first party given by villagers was a secret, held at the regular Thursday coffee morning organised by Sue Frankham with special cakes and buns and a cake iced by Sue, cut by Peter.

He has been a regular stall holder at the monthly Tedburn St Mary Farmers’ Market but last Saturday he was ordered out from behind his stall when a big plaque was presented by Village Hall Committee chairman Margaret Jones with the treasurer, Clive Stacey, naming the main hall after Peter in honour of his time on that committee.

That afternoon was another party when an apple tree was planted for Peter at the Village Hall by Tedburn Parish Council chairman, Louise Taylor, with Peter.

The Village Hall was filled with people who enjoyed a wonderful spread afterwards.  One table carried photographs and newspaper cuttings from events through Peter’s life. 

Instead of presents, Peter had asked for donations to Hospiscare.