Ward Peter Rimmer MBE of Cottam, Preston, Aged 83 years. Passed away peacefully on 27th August 2017 at Royal Preston Hospital. Loving husband of Nora and cherished father of Dave, Cerise and Marie. A loving Grandad of Sophie, Joe, Josie, Becci and Luke and Great Grandad to Phoebe and Minnie.

Pete's family have set up a 'Just Giving Page' to raise money for Myeloma and Royal Preston Hospital to raise money to fund; comfortable pull out sleeping chairs for relatives to stay with their loved ones in hospital.

There will also be a charity ride/walk/cycle around the Guild Wheel, date to be confirmed.

About Pete Ward:

Peter Ward MBE served as an elected Labour City Councillor for over 30 years,including Chair of Housing, tackling deprivation, health issues, poverty and other inequalities has always been at the forefront of this public service. He was a long standing union representative at British Aerospace at Warton, eventually being elected as National President of Trade Union TASS (now Unite). Pete served as a Magistrate at Preston Magistrates Court for over 40 years. He was made a Guild Burgess in 2012 and had been involved in recent Preston Guilds, including commissioning in 1992 the sculpture of the 1842 martyrs and designing and developing the highly acclaimed 'Jewel in Prestons Crown' Preston Guild Wheel in 2012. A major achievement and a fantastic legacy for Preston.

Pete has been described as the Stirling Moss of cycle racing. In the 1955 Amateur Circuit of Britain, away in a leading group of riders on the next to the last stage and race leader on the road, he was brought off his cycle by the leading riders' team car. In 1956, he finished four seconds behind Ericol Baldini in the Isle of Man International. Won, but was disqualified from the National Championships. Crashed and broke his wrist in the Tour Sweden. In 1957 finished fourth in the National Championships. After being in a breakaway for 100 miles he was caught four miles from the finish.

In 1959 his forks broke when he was lying 7th in the Tour of Britain on the only part of the whole 1,000 mile course that service cars were instructed to by-pass. He then devoted his energies to the team. This regional team, at the finish, beat all the national teams and had riders in 1st, 4th, 8th positions.

In 1961 he crashed on the 7th stage when lying in fourth position in the Tour of Britain.1962, when with the leading eight riders in the 267 mile London to Holyhead and with half a mile to go, John Geddes' crank broke and he fell in front of Ward, causing him to crash.

Peter Ward has been Lakeland Divisional Champion three times, been selected to ride for England three times,and has won over 30 first class events. Pete organised the Grand Prix of Leyland a 91 mile gruelling road race, attracting some of the top UK and European road cyclists.

In one season, he promoted two classics, two ordinary races, been Lakeland and Club racing secretary on the the club social committee and won several top events. In the late 60s and early 70s Pete organised the Grand Prix of Leyland a 91 mile gruelling road race, attracting some of the top UK and European road cyclists.