GB2RS newsreader retires at 101
Peter Valentine, G0NQZ, is a GB2RS Newsreader from Eastbourne. Having reached his 100th birthday in 2024 he decided it was the right time to retire from the newsreading service.
Peter remains an active radio amateur who still operates daily on the air and enjoys taking part in regular nets such as ISWL and RAOTA.
Peter was drafted into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at the outbreak of WWII, before becoming a signaller in Field Artillery. In 1946, when the war finished in Italy, Peter had an audition and joined the Forces Broadcasting Service, writing scripts and presenting programmes.
When he was demobbed, his Station Commander set him up with a voice trial at the BBC to become a presenter on the Home Service but despite reading the test script perfectly, he wasn’t offered the job. In later life, Peter volunteered as a prison visitor for the Probation Service.
Peter obtained his B-licence in 1989 and, after two attempts, passed the Morse test and received his A-licence in 1990. He has read the RSGB News for five years and his excellent diction has been commented on regularly. The 2m FM GB2RS broadcast will continue in the Eastbourne area, courtesy of Peter’s colleagues Vince, G1FBH and Paul, M0LRE.
The RSGB would like to thank Peter for his dedication to GB2RS and wish him a very happy 101st birthday, which he celebrates this month!
Category: GB2RS 70th Anniversary
