My friend Peter Briggs, who has died aged 77, had a career in science and education, and was a Methodist local preacher for nearly 50 years. He was passionate about sharing his scientific knowledge with the general public, and relished debate between people of science and faith.
Peter was born in Sheffield, the son of Hewison, a civil servant, and his wife, Doris, who worked in retail. He went to Abbeydale boys’ grammar school in the city, then the University of Sussex to study molecular science, and stayed on for a PhD in theoretical chemistry. At Sussex Peter engaged with the ethical demands of Christianity at the groundbreaking Meeting House, an ecumenical centre for Christian students. There he met Jenny Watts, and they married in 1969.
