Memoirs of an Oik

Peter field, aka Peter Jonfield's story begins with earliest memories, charts what could be described as a dual aspect childhood, a rural and fairly solitary existence in the town of his birth on the edge of Epping Forest, and in contrast, a wonderful world of bomb sites and an abundance of playfellows at his paternal grandparents' home in Hackney. The Hackney connection began a process of overcoming an initially crippling shyness and lack of confidence which led to what some might describe as overcompensation. Educationally dormant until the need arose, and as a result thrust into an apprenticeship which he found equally abhorrent as school stumbled accidentally into the world of acting. This gave him purpose, forced him to furnish himself with an education and provided him with an enjoyable and much loved career. The tale is woven throughout with a love of music, travel, a spiritual quest, occasional political comment, failed love affairs, unashamed hedonistic excess and a good deal of humour. His one successful love affair with Salcombe and the South Hams of Devon, began at the age of twenty one, was rekindled as often as possible during a forty year career as a successful jobbing actor and, since 2001 it has been his home. Having clocked up over a hundred film and television roles and a similar number of stage plays he retired from acting in 2005 to spend more time with his dog.