Bank manager becomes a pirate

Apr 27 2010 By Gavin McInally

A FORMER bank manager got so used to people saying he was robbing them he decided to become a pirate!
Fun-loving Renfrew grandad Gordon Dickson swapped his suit and briefcase for a cloak and dagger.
But the 62-year-old is no longer after cash, it’s kids’ smiles he treasures.
His alter-ego Pirate Pete regularly attends children’s birthday parties and last night revealed he’s not a big fan of bankers himself these days.
Gordon said: “As people might expect turning into a full-time pirate after being a bank manager wasn’t all that difficult.
“With the current bank mess, some folk would be forgiven for thinking there’s not much difference between the bank managers and pirates these days and I don’t blame them.
“Personally, I wasn’t enjoying being part of the banking system any more and I’ve always had a wee hobby, doing clown and pirate routines so I decided to take early retirement and do it full time.”
Grandad-of-three Gordon, who lives in Renfrew with his wife Linda, has never looked back since taking on his unusual career change.
He added: “I’ll admit I did think long and hard about it and even asked the advice of the company’s doctor at the time.
“He said if I was healthy but wasn’t happy did I want to work until I was unhealthy and unhappy – and that was that for me.
“I absolutely love doing the pirate show and entertaining kids, be it
at nurseries, schools or hospital wards.
“And needless to say, my granddaughters fully approve too!”
For more information about Pirate Pete, visit www.PiratePete.co.uk