1941: Following a Ministry of Home Security circular on the carrying of gas masks, a Mrs Mellows organised four lectures aimed principally at housewives of active servicemen, on how to handle a gas situation. The second talk was held on this day. Each lecture covered: latest information about gas attacks; first aid for gas casualties; how to protect yourself and dealing with incendiary bombs and fires. All lectures were very well attended. (Gray, David, Peterborough at War 1939-1945, David Gray, 2011)
Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.
Peter Boizot was born in Peterborough on 16th November 1929. He lived on All Saint's Road and attended The King's School, taking both chorister and head boy roles before heading to Cambridge University. He moved to London and, wistful for good Italian pizzas that he had enjoyed as a youth, he invested in pizzeria Pizza Express. Taking a bold move to create a new dining experience in London, was a strategy that paid off and Boizot is credited with successfully introducing pizza restaurants to the UK. Currently there are around 500 Pizza Express restaurants around the world.
A proud Peterborian, Boizot invested money in the city, buying Peterborough United, the Great Northern Hotel and Odeon Cinema, turning it into the Broadway Theatre. Currently named 'The New Theatre' it contains the 'Boizot Lounge' in his honour and is the venue for the Peterborough Jazz Club; previously its home was the Great Northern Hotel.
Boizot received several honours in his life including an MBE. Some of his honours are from Italy: concerned at the challenges facing the Italian city of Venice, he asked that a small amount from every Venetziana pizza was donated to the Venice in Peril charity. This has resulted in £2,000,000 being donated to the charity, as well as increased exposure for the plight of the city of Venice.
Peter Boizot died on 5th December 2018. A memorial service was held in February 2019 at Peterborough Cathedral.
Peter Boizot was born in Peterborough on 16th November 1929. He lived on…