Peter Ian Plumley, born June 12, 1941, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the September 23 aged 81 years while staying with his daughter Emma in Spain after a prolonged period of illness.

Peter was a larger than life character, a much-respected veterinary surgeon and a dedicated and energetic contributor to a wide variety of local clubs and organisations through out his life.

From school, Peter gained entry to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, in 1960 where he continued to thrive both in and out of the classroom, quickly gaining a reputation of someone who liked to work hard but play hard too.

Peter graduated from vet school in 1965 and took up the position of veterinary assistant with the established practice Morgan Daniel and Brown, with branches in Ross on Wye, Monmouth and Lydney. A year or so later Peter joined the partnership and after a reorganisation, he, Tip Morgan and Alan Brown separated from the other branches to concentrate their efforts in Ross, initially at the surgery in Crossfields before moving to Henry Street at the beginning of the seventies.

After Tip and Alan had retired, Nick Hart joined Peter and they moved to Hildersley in the mid nineties, becoming Chase View Vets. Always a mixed practitioner, Peter was as adept on the farm as he was in the operating theatre, often ahead of his time with new techniques and treatments but always pragmatic and practiced with a deep care for his patients and clients. In the last part of his career, his reputation as an equine vet spread and his advise was regularly sort by vets and horse owners from far and wide.

Not long after arriving in Ross, Peter met Penny Lowe and the two were married on October 14, 1967; Dominic was born a year later and Emma two years after that. Peter and Penny shared a wonderful marriage and were well know for their generous hospitality and frequent parties, the arrival of two elephants, requiring the services of an expert vet, at Peter’s 50th birthday party of particular note.

Ever the sportsman, Peter played football and cricket for Ross, continuing the latter into his fifties, while also representing other teams, including the Merry Millers. He also became a very active member of the Harewood End Agriculture Society, for many years organising the post show dinner and other fund raising events as well as supporting the Ross Harriers and a significant involvement in the Monmouth Show.

In 1996, Peter was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia that started 26 years of on off health problems, he used to joke that he had survived six different types of malignant cancer not to mention a heart attack in 2012. None of this stopped him enjoying a passion for shooting and watching rugby and cricket, particularly the social sides of these sports, a passion so sadly curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the last 12 months, Peter’s health had deteriorated significantly and he was dealt a further blow by the loss of his treasured wife Penny in March of this year, prompting the move to be with his daughter Emma.

Peter Plumley was a greatly respected and liked member of the community of Ross on Wye and wider for over 50 years and there are few people that have met him that do not have a fond story to tell, he will be much missed.

He leaves behind son Dominic, daughter Emma and grandchildren Elena, Alex, George and Jack.