Focus on Peter Firth
Full name: Peter Firth
When and where were you born? Wallasey, Cheshire (now Merseyside). October 4th 1948
Where do you live now? Crosby, Liverpool
Which years did you attend St Mary’s? 1960-67
Which primary school had you been at? SS Peter and Paul, New Brighton, Wirral
Did you have any brothers or sisters at either St Mary’s or St Joseph’s Convent? Elder brother: Anthony (Tony)
What years were they there? 1960-63
How did you get to school? 229 bus
Happiest memory of St Mary’s? Speech Day 1965 – My dad and mum in attendance, page 135 of All Our Yesterdays explains why
Worst memory of St Mary’s? None really
What was your nickname at school? Little Yeti, then Yeti when my brother left. We both had size 13 shoes = Big Foot = Yeti
What subject was your strongest at St Mary’s? History and Spanish equally
And your weakest? Physics
Did you represent the school at any sport? Football before changeover, then Rugby and Cricket. Also, Chess.
Name a song which reminds you of St Mary’s None really
Name a film which reminds you of St Mary’s? See above
What was your first car? VW Beetle
What was the first 45rpm record (single) you ever bought? 1959 Adam Faith: What d’you want?
If pushed, what would be your three favourite songs
of all time and why? No More Tears (Enough is Enough) – Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer – ultimate dance music; Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison, the best among many of his self- or co-written hits (I can still see the Top of the Pops video); Halfway To Paradise – Billy Fury – the best of the early British rock stars who also composed much of his own material
And three favourite films and why? Blues Brothers – outrageously funny, with good music; Kill Bill – brilliant story line, screenplay and direction; A Clockwork Orange – first meaningful introduction to dystopia on the big screen in 1971.
And three favourite books and why? Catch 22 (Joseph Heller), Don Quixote (Cervantes), Homo Sapiens (Yuval Noah Hariri). The first two are the funniest I’ve read. The third: an easy-read philosopher’s take on the rise of mankind.
And three favourite TV series and why? The Prisoner – first introduction to dystopia and Big Brother in 1967; Dallas – outrageously (unintended) hilarious, with a bit of intrigue; Slow Horses -outrageously funny, with brilliant screenplay.
Your top three bands? Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Kratfwerk
Your top three artists? Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner, Kyle Minogue
Your favourite actor? Gary Oldman
Did you go on to Further Education after St Mary’s? Yes, but not till I was 55 at the University of Liverpool – BA, MA, PhD
Which profession have you mainly been employed in since leaving school? The imported meat trade, 32 years
What is your favourite sports team? Liverpool FC
Do you collect anything? Books, books and more books and I have more than 1800 vinyl singles
If you went on Mastermind, what would be your specialist subject? Second half of eleventh century cardinal history
Can you supply a then and now photograph of yourself? Yes.
Favourite country visited and why? New Zealand. British and uniquely not British
Are you still in contact with any St Mary’s old boys? Apart from my brother, not really. I met my first wife’s brother, John Victor Rolland (1959-65, I think) at her funeral last year and a few times when we were married.
When you think back to St Mary’s, what phrase or words spring to mind? Thoroughly excellent seven year experience – academically, socially and sporting
What would be top of your life ‘bucket’ list? Visit New Zealand again, this time on holiday
I remember Peter very well. I was in his year and alpha class. I have photos of the football and cricket teams we both played in.
After we left st Mary’s I remember we both worked in the city and used to meet up with Don Kaye, Pete Hunt and Richard Webster for a lunchtime pint or too.