I just thought I'd share with you some of my memories of Steve. He was my best friend all the way through junior school until the early 1990s when I moved to Derby for a number of years. I can't remember the point we became friends, but I faintly recall him showing me a magic trick which involved a pocket handkerchief. Anyway, I remember the time I climbed on his white pony, Shadow. Unfortunately, I got too close to it's hind quarters and, before Steve could tell me to shuffle forward, Shadow had thrown me off and I ended up on the ground looking up at it's head! Steve thought it hilarious - me not so much.
When we were in our early teens, and with the inspiration of his older brother, Kevin, we both joined the Sea Cadets, which at that time was based at Lees in a building given the name 'T S Marne'. Kevin had been going their some time. I didn't really take to it and never progressed from being in the 'sprogs', so never got a uniform. Steve, on the other hand, progressed into the main Sea Cadets. I remember him in his 'best blues' sailor suit - very smart.
When we were sixteen Steve got a moped - a 50cc Yamaha with a yellow petrol tank. I still remember it's registration: OHD 322P. I was pretty jealous and so got one of my own - a 50cc Honda with a green petrol tank, registration: RCX 417P. It's strange how I still remember their numbers; I can't remember my current car reg, now. Anyway, both mopeds had white 'top boxes'. Steve had 'Fred's Ped' written on his. This is because for a number of years at school he was given the nickname 'Fred' - I'm not sure where that name originated.
We both left school at 16. I did an engineering apprenticeship while Steve worked at the electrical retailer, Vallence's, in Keighley. He later left to take up market stalls - first in Skipton and later in Blackpool. he was doing OK in Skipton, but the move to Blackpool proved costly, as his stall was 'off the beaten track' and he couldn't make a profit. At the time he worked at Vallences, inspired by a work colleague, Alan Watler, who was a part-time club singer / guitarist, he tried his hand at stand-up comedy - but it didn't prove successful.
The parents of another good friend, Philip Ward, had a caravan in Bridlington, and we three would have many summer holidays their during our late teen / early 20s - great days!
We both started going to the local Haworth pubs - our first local was the Changegate Bar (now part of the Old White Lion), but we soon moved to the King's Arms where we both eventually did part-time bar work for the then landlord and landlady Terry and Elsie Barnes. It was there that we made many other friends and where I have some of my fondest memories of Steve. After his failed Blackpool market stall, for a time he worked full time as a cook in the kitchen at the pub.
Steve later went to work for Foulds Conveyor Belts on Parkwood Street in Keighley where he worked until his death. He also moved to Long Lee. In the meantime I left Haworth - first to do a degree in Sunderland then to work in Derby where I stayed about 6 years before coming back to Haworth. We did get together for a drink now and then on my return visits, but those occasions became less frequent and we eventually - and sadly - lost touch. He did, however, remain in my thoughts.
A large part of my younger life was spent with Steven Peel - and I shall never forget him.
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