A FORMER Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness who contributed much to the communities in which he lived has died.

The Rev Lawrie Peat was born in 1928 and grew up in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Through the curate of his local church he began working at the Church Missionary Society (CMS) before being called up for National Service and though he returned to CMS, he became more interested in the theatre.

It was a rich time for religious drama after the war and he joined the Pilgrim Players, a touring group who often performed in factories during the lunch hour. Perhaps his greatest role was to play the devil during a short West End run of ‘The Gates of Hell.’

He married Sheila in 1953 and became the players' advanced booking agent, touring the country in a caravan.

To his surprise a vocation to the priesthood was discerned. He remained unconvinced and went to his selection conference relaxed about the outcome and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He was recommended for training, which he undertook at Lincoln Theological College.

Mr Peat was not an easy student and found the academic work a challenge. Yet it helped forge his churchmanship. He was a generous liberal with broad interests always willing to think about his faith sustained as he was by thoughtful worship within the Anglican tradition which he so valued.

He was ordained deacon in 1958, and priest a year later.

His curacy was at St Peter’s, Bramley, a thriving urban parish in West Leeds. Here doubts about his vocation were dispelled as he and his growing family settled into parish life.

After a short first incumbency at All Saints Heaton Norris, Stockport, he returned to St Peter’s as vicar. He often reflected that this was the most fulfilling period of his ministry.

The parish was at the forefront of new developments in the church. He was a powerful advocate of Anglican Methodist Unity in opposition to his Bishop and helped create the Rodley Ecumenical Project. The parish grew, not just numerically, but in influence in that community.

Eventually he felt a change was needed and in 1973 he was appointed the first Team Rector of Southend on Sea in Essex.

He established a new team ministry for the town and his concern for the wider community was again to the fore and he helped create one of the first adult literacy schemes.

Having served in two urban parishes he was appointed vicar of three rural parishes north of Kendal in 1979. He came to know something of the rhythm of the farming community and gradually became more widely known in the diocese, becoming the Rural Dean of Kendal.

Mr Peat was appointed team vicar in Kirkby Lonsdale and during his final service at St Mary's Parish Church in April 1989 he questioned the need for what he called extravagances in celebrations. His gifts and experience had been valued by the Bishop of Carlisle who invited him to become the Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness in 1989.

This role enabled him to draw on his richness of experience and he was greatly valued by his colleagues, a wise and thoughtful friend and counsellor, and as a member of the Bishop’s staff he was never afraid to ask the awkward questions.

He retired at 67 and lived at Lindal-in-Furness, Kendal, Lytham St Anne’s and finally Leeds. In each place he contributed something to the community and was a much-loved member of the churches where he worshipped.

Mr Peat, who died on March 16, had six children, 19 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

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