He's played with the stars while battling cancer - the incredible grandad who says 'I'm blessed'
‘In a way, I suppose it was a blessing’
A Wearside man has looked back on a life filled with astonishing highlights and challenges including a battle with prostate cancer.
Washington man Peter Lawson, 68, has played on stage in his incredible team-ups with Elton John, Dave Stewart and Sam Fender in his role with Easington Colliery brass band.
He has played live at stadiums with crowds of up to 85,000 people watching him perform.
The father of three and grandfather of five has also been diagnosed with Stage 2 prostate cancer and he is still undergoing tests this week.
Experts have told him it is treatable, especially as he sought help early.
But despite all of that, the Washington man says none of it is the biggest achievement in his life.
That honour goes to the incredible day in 2024 when Easington became the Northern Area Brass Band champions for the first time in its 110-year history.
It fulfilled a vow that he made to the band - that he would keep going as band secretary until Easington became Northern champions. ‘I am very proud that I got to keep that promise,” said the Easington-born former miner who has been a part of the band set-up since he was 10 years old.
Now Peter, who has been married to Elizabeth for 44 years, is set to tell his story in a BBC documentary.
It is called The Last Miner in the Band and is being shown as part of the Our Lives series. It is scheduled to be shown on BBC 1 on July 31 and will be available on iPlayer from July 10.
Peter has another big occasion to look forward to when he plays the tuba as part of Easington Colliery band at the Durham Miners Gala on Saturday.
He said: "I have been to every one of the galas for years and I will be there this year.”
Easington’s band has enjoyed some remarkable highlights in recent years. It performed with Dave Stewart as part of his birthday celebration gig.
It performed for Sir Elton John at the launch of the new Billy Elliot musical tour in London, and teamed up with Sam Fender to record a track called Remember My Name, in honour of his grandparents and their mining connections, including to Easington pit.
It also led to the band appearing with the music star at gigs at the London Stadium and St James’ Park where they performed to a total of more than 250,000 people.
During it all, Peter, who worked as a mechanical fitter at Easington, has faced a battle with cancer and told us he got checked out straight away as soon as he suspected he had health issues.
“They got me in straight away. They have been doing tests all the way from February to this week and they found out I have prostate cancer. In a way, I suppose it was a blessing that I got checked out when I noticed that I was passing blood when I went to the toilet.”
He urged other men to get checked as early as possible if they suspect something is wrong.
The Last Miner in the Band is being shown as part of the Our Lives series. It is scheduled to be shown on BBC 1 on July 31 and will be available on iPlayer from July 10.