We were very saddened to hear the news of the death last weekend of Peter Heppelthwaite, the founder of the Limitless Academy of Performing Arts. In establishing the Academy in Royston, Peter brought huge new opportunities to the youth of the town as well as providing another level of much needed entertainment for residents.

In 2022, following Covid, Peter and the Academy made all the difference in helping to re-establish Royston Arts Festival as a major event in the town after a difficult couple of years. This was despite suffering serious illness at critical moments in the planning and organisation of the festival and, working closely with Peter that year, I was able to witness and admire at first hand his tenacity and dedication, in particular to the young members of the Academy for whom he was always a champion.

Meeting Peter subsequently, in connection with the festival or on various committees, or during activities connected with the town, it became clear to me that here was someone who had taken the town to his heart and Royston has been all the better for it.

We hope that the Academy will continue to thrive in Royston, acting as a fitting legacy to Peter by providing opportunities in the arts for the young people of Royston.

We offer our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and students which we are sure will be echoed by the many residents of Royston whose lives he touched.