Three years on from the death of Peter Mickle, known as Pete the Busker, his memory remains alive among volunteers and visitors at Charles Thompson's Mission in Birkenhead, where he was a beloved regular.
A cherished member of the mission family
Pete, who died aged 64 in August 2023, was famous for busking on Church Street in Liverpool with his colourful suits, plastic props, and distinctive singing style. He also attended the mission's Sunday breakfast club, where he entertained everyone with songs and jokes.
Volunteers told the ECHO he “still feels like part of the family”. His “In Loving Memory” card is still clipped to the mission's noticeboard, serving as a focal point for visitors who stop to remember him.
Tributes that reflect his personality
Donna Scully, a volunteer who spent years alongside Pete, said: "His 'In Loving Memory' card is clipped to the noticeboard at the Mission so we see him every Sunday morning, and it feels like he is still part of our group. Visitors often stop to reminisce about him and say how much he is missed."
After his funeral, volunteers prepared a full English breakfast and placed it beneath his memorial card with flowers. Donna said: "It was our way of paying tribute to our friend."
A lasting connection to Liverpool FC
Pete's passion for Liverpool FC was legendary. Donna, a season ticket holder, arranged for a tribute to him in the club's matchday programme. She said: "He was a huge fan, we used to sing Liverpool songs together. When I took a few programmes to the Mission the following Sunday, our visitors were thrilled to see him in there, knowing how much it would have meant to him."
His memory still sparks conversations. Donna recalled how a former visitor recently returned after years away and was shocked to learn of Pete's death. Soon after, a donation of clothes included a striking suit that reminded everyone of Pete. Donna said: "We got one of our volunteers, Vic, to model it. We all said how much Peter would have loved that suit, and no doubt he'd have worn it for his busking."
An irreplaceable presence
The mission has become a second home for many, with some attending every Sunday for nearly a decade. Donna added: "Having been going for the best part of eight years now on Sunday mornings, we are very much a family, and a lot of our visitors have been there from the beginning, like Peter, and come every week without fail. It's horrible when we lose one of them, and it hits us all hard."
She remembered Pete's "unbelievable dress sense, his brilliant sense of humour and his quite unique singing. Me and him could murder any song you gave us, and we often did!"
Three years on, Sunday mornings continue, but Pete's place in the mission family remains unchanged. Donna concluded: "We're sending loving memories of him from his Sunday morning family."
