Peter Cripps is a retired University Academic, Professional Educator and  Chartered Manager.

He was educated at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester, and University College, Cardiff, where he read Mathematics, Geology and Physics.

He joined Currys Management Training scheme after university, and had a spell as an instructor at their newly established Staff Training Centre in Winchester, which introduced him to a career in Adult & Vocational Training. Positions with Granada, Thorn-EMI, Sainsbury’s, City & Guilds, and the Clothing and Allied Industry Training Board followed.

He eventually became Training Manager at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in 1980, later becoming Head of Training & Learning for the Hospitals Trust.

Around the same time, he joined The Open University as an Associate Lecturer, teaching management, and contributing to Certificate level courses, having earlier completed a degree in Psychology with them. These were followed by Masters degrees in Education, Management, Research Methods, and a Doctorate in Education for his work on adult learning theory.

For 25 years he was a Magistrate on the Gloucestershire Bench, serving as a Court Chairman, Appraiser, Mentor of new Magistrates, and on the Licensing Committee, retiring in 2010, and transferring to the Supplemental List. He was also a School Governor (Vice-Chairman, and Chair of Finance) at Alderman Knight Special School in Tewkesbury for many years, and he and his wife were Foster Parents for a lengthy period. He was also a Parish Councillor for Tirley.

He gained the Scout Association Award of Merit for good services as a Leader, Leader Trainer, and Commissioner in Gloucestershire, and was made an Honorary Member of City & Guilds of London in recognition of his contribution to vocational education, training, and assessment.

He is currently Chairman of
Glos Folk, the organisation that promotes traditional music in Gloucestershire, and plays with his wife Astrid as a duo (Peter & Astrid), and solo for receptions, exhibitions, and the like.

He has written two books on morris dancing history, and compiled a book of country dance tunes and dances
. He has also contributed numerous articles to professional journals.
Rich's 3rd year VIth Form in 1958 - Peter is 2nd from left, back row
Some of the Training Team at GRH
Receiving his Magistrate's long service award from Lord Lieutenant Sir Henry Elwes
Astrid and he both received Scout Association awards for good service
Peter Cripps