Under the Canopy members remembered our lovely friend and participant Peter, at Hollybush Conservation Centre.

Ceramic pieces made by the group were hung in Peter’s favourite tree and messages floated on the canal.

Peter will be very much missed by us and all who knew him.

Peter by Yvonne

Peter, our friend, with a smile and a song

We feel you here with us,

A place you belong

So gentle a presence,

With kindness and care

A warm word for everyone,

As you help and you share

Always happy to try some of Matthew’s strange tea

And yours is the face that we all like to see,

Colourful cardies, your hair and your hat

Oh, Peter, dear Peter

You are much more than that!

Your dance round the maypole

Your praise of the soup,

You will always be such a big part of our group

Your books full of sketches and beautiful words,

Your knowledge of nature and the songs of the birds

We think of you now with a smile and a tear

And I write in the present,

‘cos I know you’re still here.

photos by Shelley

Two poems about Peter by Jackie

Have you heard Peter as passed away.
Our Peter they must have it wrong.
Ping, our Peter, no way.
Ping, message after message, ping, ping.
We can not believe it our gentle giant, blue eyes of a clear summers day sky, a smile which would say we are not alone. We are, at home in our group Under the Canopy.
No one sits in his chair, his picture stands proudly for all to see.
A flicker of a memory passes by our maypole king dancing, laughing, smiling, his bright coloured jacket flashes by.
Oh Peter how did it happen?
We miss your character, your care, your friendship.
Hope you was not in pain and now sit with your God as a little quaker boy.
***

Peter by Jackie

Shock after shock then we remember a friends smile, blue eyes and a colourful jacket.
We are still here, sinking, not believing, clawing back to some normality, showing the love of our friendship, silent tears, stories of happy memories shared.
Thank you  Under the Canopy we met our friend Peter and our friends new and old.
Peter you will live on.
I am sure you stood proudly watching us in your new red coat as we sit and eat your favourite soup.  You starred and ruffled your new young feathers saying I am here, look  I am here. We all gasp Peter is here our Robin, our friend Peter the Robin.
***
“I have never written a poem before let alone performed them to an audience, but our group gave me the confidence to share these poems in memory of our dear friend Peter.”

Click on the link below to hear Jackie read one of her poems about Peter

https://youtube.com/shorts/INIRJOTO7mI?si=pUzhH6w1wK7_XZtC

Read about Peter and his amazing achievements here…

https://westleedsdispatch.com/tributes-paid-to-bramleys-peter-mcdonagh/

And an online book of remembrance for Peter, with some lovely photos of Peter and any donations going to Hollybush Conservation Centre

Book of Remembrance for Peter McDonagh, 1965 – 2025