A LIFELONG modeller who has lived in Petersfield since 1956 says he is now thinking of writing an autobiographical travel book.

Peter Redman of Borough Road has just finished making a two-storey dolls’ house and is now about to embark on furnishing the intricate handmade model.

Peter, aged 86, said: “The ground floor is two shops, one a sweet shop and the other a book shop.

“I have made a few bits and pieces already, but it will take the rest of the year to finish furnishing them and the upstairs flats.

“After that, I’m thinking of writing a travelogue with pictures of the coach trips around Europe and the UK my wife Frances and I have enjoyed over the past 35 years or so.

“We have lots of albums of pictures and when they go to our three girls they won’t know anything about the photographs, so I thought I might select the best ones, write a short piece about each one, and make it into a book for them.”

Peter and Frances married in 1955, and then moved to Petersfield a year later when he got a job making soft furnishings for Rowland, Son, and Vincent furniture shop in The Square.

But even as a lad he enjoyed making models, starting during the Second World War when he and his brother were evacuated to live in Bognor Regis with their grandfather, a plumber and carpenter.

Peter, a talented amateur artist, said: “He taught me how to use woodworking tools and I started making balsa wood planes covered with tissue.

“I think that’s where my love of modelling began.”

Although he has made dolls’ houses for his three daughters – and for neighbours’ girls – he has also made model garages, reflecting his love of cars, especially motor racing at Goodwood.

Peter, after three years at college and a career switch, retired as a technical artist from Marconi Underwater Systems at Havant. He said: “I loved the racing at Goodwood and made model racing cars and garages.”

But not only is he good at model car making, he is also comfortable working on the real thing.

Soon after his wedding he bought a clapped-out car.

He said: “It was called a Trojan and made in London. I did it up and it kept running for 56 years. We sold it only four years ago.

“I have no idea why I enjoy modelling and doing things with my hands – but I know I don’t like sitting around doing nothing.”