Bursary in memory of University of Hertfordshire professor Peter Lines, a lighting designer at South Mill Arts and Harlow Playhouse, awards students £1,000

A university professor who worked on shows at Bishop’s Stortford’s South Mill Arts Centre is still helping students – 11 years after his death.

The family of Hatfield Heath man Peter Lines set up a special bursary after he died which awards £1,000 each year to a man or woman studying at his beloved University of Hertfordshire, where he worked for 30 years.

Peter’s widow Margaret was invited to St Albans Cathedral to a graduation ceremony on Thursday (September 12).

She met engineering graduate Zachary Pearce, who was delighted with his special award. He is the the tenth student who has received money as part of the Professor Peter Lines Scholarship.

Margaret said: “Pete would be so delighted that electrical and electronic engineering students are benefiting so many years after his death.

“Zak was a lovely, gracious young man who was so grateful for the award.,He’s actually staying on to complete a master’s at the university, which is great.”

Professor Lines designed the lighting for pantos and plays at South Mill Arts. He did the same at Harlow Playhouse, where the lighting box was named in his memory after his death in 2013, aged 73.

The grandad of seven, who lived in Cox Ley, was affectionately known to many village friends as ‘Dopper’.

The following year, the main hall at Hatfield Heath Village Hall was named after him in recognition of his dedication and service to the venue and the village in general.