Horsford man who supported The Beatles enjoys a 70th birthday trip down memory lane

Celebrating his 70th birthday with a surprise vintage bus ride around Norwich Peter Moore.Photo: Steve Adams

It was a real trip down memory lane for Horsford man Peter Moore as he was taken on a very special bus journey through Norwich to celebrate his 70th birthday.

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Peter Moore, pictured with his wife Gwen, and family and friends. Photo: Steve Adams

Family and friends surprised Mr Moore on Saturday when they arrived at his Green Park Road house in a 1964 AEC Reliance coach that was to take them all on a trip to some of the places that were special to Mr Moore in and around the city.

The bus was specially decorated for the occasion – old photographs of Mr Moore, who turned 70 yesterday, were displayed in the coach windows and a giant caricature of Mr Moore made by his grandchildren Lily and Eloise Moore, 12 and nine, took pride of place in the back window of the bus.

Mr Moore, who is married to Gwen, 64, and has two sons, Paul and Robin, and six grandchildren, said: “It has been fantastic. It has been a nostalgia trip. It has brought back so many memories, a lot of things I had forgotten about. I really enjoyed it and the coach was fantastic.”

Among the places included on Mr Moore’s birthday bus tour was the site of the old Grosvenor Rooms, in Prince of Wales Road, where KFC now is.

Celebrating his 70th birthday with a surprise vintage bus ride around Norwich Peter Moore.Photo: Steve Adams

For it was here Mr Moore supported The Beatles during their visit to Norwich on May 17 1963. Mr Moore had been asked to stand in as the bass player for Ricky Lee and the The Hucklebucks who were the support act.

Looking back, Mr Moore – who had his own band which played rock and roll covers and skiffle music – said he was proud to have shared the stage with The Beatles, although at the time he said nobody realised how big they would go on to be.

Other places on Saturday’s itinerary included Mr Moore’s grandmother’s home in Barrett Road, Lakenham, and his Aunt Ida’s home in Surrey Street. Mr Moore and his parents Arthur and Ethel and two sisters Pat and Pammie had lived with both relatives after the family returned from living in New Zealand. Bawburgh Lane, in Costessey, also featured in the journey as this was where Mr Moore’s father bought a plot of land and built a home for the family.

Mr Moore’s school and college days at St Mark’s School, in Lakenham, Costessey Secondary Modern, and Norwich School of Art were also highlighted on the tour route, and the birthday bus passengers were also told of how Mr Moore met his wife Gwen on a blind date where they went to Happisburgh in Mr Moore’s Austin A70. The couple got married at St Luke’s Church, in Aylsham Road, Norwich, on June 25 1966.

Mr Moore’s son Paul and his wife Katherine thought up the idea of the 70th birthday bus trip which finished with a celebratory meal.

Paul said the family, who are all transport enthusiasts, had wanted to arrange an extra special day for Mr Moore.

He said Mr Moore reaching 70 was an amazing achievement because he has endured three kidney transplants and spend a lot time of using a dialysis machine after his own kidneys failed in 1970.

Paul said: “It was a very poignant day and a celebration.

“Dad was chuffed to bits which was great. It was a walk down memory lane for him and it also gave my brother and I the opportunity to find out about his life long before we were born. It was a great day.”

Are you doing something unusual to celebrate a special occasion? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk