Profiles

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Peter Sanders (Pill boy) aged 65.

Profile courtesy of Pill Pulse
newsletter.

Peter attended St Michael’s and Brynglas schools. He married his wife Audrey (Pill girl) on the 18/5/62. They have 2 sons Alan and John, plus 3 grandchildren. Peter left school and became a professional football player with Newport County and Gillingham. When Peter finished playing football he worked for Black Clawson, Cashmores and the Post Office to name a few.

Peter’s Achievements
During 2007 Peter was presented with two awards. In April he received ‘Newport's Services to Sport Award’ and in November he was presented with the ‘Welsh Sports Administrator of the Year Award’. The awards are for the 50 years he has been involved with Pill baseball club St Michael’s Old Boys. In that time Peter has been player, coach, referee, manager, secretary, treasurer and more. Arguably Peter’s greatest achievement is producing Welsh players at youth and senior level, in the past 15 years Peter has guided more than 30 players to international  honours. One player to benefit from Peter’s guidance is Pill-boy Ryan James 1st team captain and Cross Keys R.F.C scrum-half, Ryan has played for Wales at both youth & senior levels. This year St Michael’s celebrate their 100th birthday with Peter at the helm it will be a wonderful occasion for sure. Peter has, single handedly at times, kept baseball going in Newport - a true living legend, with a sense of humour to match.


Peter the young sportsman

Peter captained Newport, Monmouthshire and Wales Schools under 15’s rugby teams in 1958. Peter was the Monmouthshire 220 sprint champion in the late 50’s. Peter represented Wales under 18’s football team in 1959 as a 16 year-old playing against   Scotland, England with players such as world cup winners Stiles and Hurst, and the highlight beating Northern Ireland 3-2 and Peter scoring a hat-trick for Wales.

 

What is the best thing about living in Pill?

“Sadly in my view the best days  living in Pill are behind us, mainly because many of the old   families are no longer with us or have left the area”.

 

What are the biggest changes you have seen whilst in Pill?

“The poor planning and lack of investment in the area is there for all to see. Commercial Road has sadly been neglected, and is no longer the thriving business area it once was, hence the Pill   saying “you don't need to go to town, you can get what you want in Pill”. Commercial Road is dirty, falling down and badly lit. Also, knocking down the long streets of Pill and replacing them with a maze was a step in the wrong direction”.

 

How would you improve Pill?

“Firstly, I believe Pill is now crammed with too many people and our schools are full. Would it not be better if newcomers to this city were dispersed throughout Newport then St David Lewis in Bettws which is now closed and Brynglas Primary, which is under threat of closure, could remain open. There are now 600 pupils in Pillgwenlly Primary’s. A 100 pupils bused to Malpas per day could possibly keep these schools open.

Secondly, I would improve the play areas for the children from George Street to Brunel Street. On that side of Commercial Road there is not one play area, but look at the land which was empty in the centre of the Old Town Dock which was empty for over 30 years. What a waste!

Thirdly, the big danger in Pill is the increasing use of drugs in the area therefore I feel a more heavy police presence is badly needed”.

 

Any interesting stories?

“The Old Town Dock was our Disneyland, where else could you climb into a train loco and with your pals pretend you were the driver. Then just nip down the Black Ash path and past the      railings then over the rope shed to play Tarzan. Great days and all for free”.

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Ellis Harrison

Ellis receiving his award at the Newport sports awards
February 2008

Ellis Harrison (St Michael’s Baseball & Swansea City AFC) receiving ’Most Promising Young Sportsman’. Ellis had an excellent 2007 representing Wales under 14’s against England in Liverpool (Wales winning by an innings). In the game Ellis shone as both a batsman and fielder, not bad for someone who was playing a year above himself. In typical Pill fashion Ellis is a multi talented sportsman playing football with Swansea City.
Ellis also won the 2006 Wales Most Promising Player (Under 12's)

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