A well-known Leamington solicitor – who was also national chairman of the Standard Motor Club – has retired from Berrymans Solicitors after almost 40 years to pursue his interest in classic cars and steam trains.

Peter Lockley, a former Warwick School pupil who read law at Wadham College, Oxford, before joining the firm in 1977, was a popular figure on the local licensing scene, where he represented scores of local pubs, restaurants and hotels in their licence applications.

A classic car enthusiast, he was national chairman of the Standard Motor Club for 18 years from 1992 – 2010 (and remains a committee member), and his love of steam trains took him around the world – Europe, the Far East, North and South America, Africa and the West Indies. “Wherever there were steam trains operating I went out to photograph them,” said Mr Lockley, whose partners at Berrymans Solicitors presented him with a painting of a steam express train for Liverpool passing the old Milverton Station in Warwick New Road, Leamington.
Mr Lockley, who lives in Long Itchington and whose certificate of admission as a solicitor was signed by the great Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, worked in almost every branch of the legal profession except conveyancing.

Richard Thornton, joint senior partner, said: “Peter was tremendously popular, not just with the firm, where he worked tirelessly for his personal injury clients and was always willing to help, encourage and advise younger members of staff, but also with the local licensing trade, whom he represented for many decades.”

CAPTION: Retiring solicitor Peter Lockley in his 1955 Swallow Doretti leaves Berrymans Solicitors for the last time, watched by joint senior partners Richard Thornton (left) and Gilson Aveline (ESQ) .