Heartfelt tribute to St Paul's community leader with "great humour" who spent his life helping others

“He was someone who worked tirelessly for improved opportunities and quality of life in our neighbourhood.”

Heartbroken family and friends have paid tribute to a “good man”, who always fought for his community while keeping his mischievous streak.

Pete Bullard passed away at the BRI on October 31 at age 72, as a result of an illness.

Having moved to Bristol from Cornwall in the 1980s, he lived in St Agnes and then St Paul's eventually becoming the Chair of the St Paul's Planning Group.

He first became involved with the community when Cabot Circus was first proposed, as people wanted to coordinate neighbourhood responses to ensure they had an input into the development. 

Plans were also being formed for St Agnes Lodge as a community asset which led to the formation of St Pauls Unlimited and Pete remained at the core of it from the very beginning.

In a statement, his wife Michele describes early memories with him and said: “In his youth, Pete looked a lot like Cat Stevens (but did not have the same musical talent); we went to a restaurant in Newquay one day with some friends and the waitress actually thought he was Cat Stevens and in consequence knocked a bit off the bill making a very gleeful and smug Pete.”

Not only was Pete a pillar of the community,  but he was also an artist, a photographer, a stained glass maker and teacher. 

He ran classes at St Paul's Learning Centre for anyone who wanted to learn how to create with glass.

His college, Lori Streich said: “Pete started campaigning for the redevelopment of Westmoreland House, the Carriageworks site, in 2002 and remained involved with this until his death. 

“Carriageworks Action Group meetings in the future will miss his input and his wisdom - and sometimes his mischief – and members of the Carriageworks Action Group are ever more determined to see the development through as a way to remember and honour him.”

When news of his death was announced on the Carriageworks Action Group’s website, one person wrote: “He was a good man; he is going to be missed.”

Another said: “He was someone who worked tirelessly for improved opportunities and quality of life in our neighbourhood. Fruiting trees will be a fitting tribute to his creative brand of community development.”

Two council officers who worked with Pete wrote they had “many an extra hour after a community meeting with Pete.”

“He was always a fantastic advocate for his community and I always loved the way he held us ‘council lot’ to account in meetings and kept us on our toes with no nonsense but also with great humour.”

Members of the Carriageworks Action Group have set up a Just Giving Page to enable the planting and maintenance of sweet chestnut and greengage trees in St Paul's to remember Pete’s contribution to his community and environment. 

Lori said: “We chose these because Pete always said that all trees planted in St Pauls should bear fruit for local people to enjoy.”

The Celebration of Pete’s Life will be held from 1pm - 5pm at St Pauls Learning Centre on December 2nd. Those who knew Pete are welcomed by those close to him to come and join them in sharing memories.

Some of his art work will be on display at St Pauls Learning Centre after the service.

To find out more and to donate to the fund for Pete's trees visit the Just Giving Page

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