It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Peter Logue on October 24. Peter served as a board member of the Nerve Centre from December 1998 until July 2007.
During the same period Peter joined Northern Ireland Screen’s predecessor organisation the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission’s Education Policy Working Group where he helped create A Wider Literacy, the organisation’s ground-breaking case for moving image education as a key support to the curriculum in Northern Ireland. His passion and enthusiasm for this new approach to teaching and learning in schools defined his belief that creative learning experiences should be available for all children and young people. Prior to this Peter had also served as a board member on the Northern Ireland Film Commission in the mid 1990s.
Peter Logue was a formidable presence in the formative years of the Nerve Centre. From the late 1990s when our vision was gradually taking shape, Peter was an energetic board member always willing to support new ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. An enthusiast for change, he challenged us to be bold and imaginative in our approach. His trust, commitment and steadfast support gave us the confidence to pursue our dreams. When, in the autumn of 1999, we took a giant leap into the unknown future with the opening of the purpose-built Nerve Centre on Magazine Street, Peter was there to hold our hand.
Peter Logue’s many years of experience in educational broadcasting with C4 and BBC NI contributed to the design of a new model of digital media education for schools and communities - the Creative Learning Centre. When the opportunity arose to acquire the building next door to the Nerve Centre to house the Creative Learning Centre and the board debated the issue, Peter’s counsel was grounded in good sense and sound economics. 'How often does the neighbouring farm come up for sale?' he asked, as another critical decision in our development was taken.
A native of Coleraine, Peter loved the communal energy and rebelliousness of Derry people and he brought his own particular brand of iconoclasm to the table. But most of all he loved the humour. I shall never forget his boisterous laughter on the opening night of the 1996 Foyle Film Festival when some members of the audience, no longer able to hold back their hunger while sitting through a three hour costume drama, stole out of the cinema in St Columb’s Hall and returned to their seats with fish suppers.
This tale was retold by Peter, a natural born storyteller and raconteur in the Orson Welles mould, on many occasions over the years as evidence of the egalitarianism of Derry citizens and the refusal to stand on ceremony that he so admired. His charm and charisma, good cheer and bonhomie will be greatly missed by all his friends in the Nerve Centre, West Way Films and Besom Productions but most of all, we’ll miss his generous heart and his abiding belief in the power of ordinary people to make a difference.
Pictured: The late Peter Logue at Nerve Centre Christmas party, 1999.