When he’s not selling pubs and hotels across the West Peter Brunt from Colliers International’s Bristol office “relaxes” by refereeing rugby matches across the country.
Peter, a referee with The Gloucester and District Society, combined business with pleasure when he hosted an exchange visit by three referees from the New England Referees Society of the USA.
Highlight of the visit was a tour of the Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire hosted by brewery operations manager (and fellow rugby referee) Bruce Benyon.
Peter said: “The laws of rugby are difficult enough for people brought up with the game and must appear completely baffling to players and referees brought up on American football where the main object of the game is to throw the ball forward!
“I am indebted to Bruce for agreeing to show off his workplace as well as discussing the finer points of rugby refereeing – not to mention sampling the quality of Hooky Beers!”
After the brewery tour the referees went to lunch at The Tite Inn at Chaddlington before moving on to nearby Blenheim Palace.
Peter, who sold more than a dozen small hotels and pubs across the West last year added: “. I am a strong believer that better refereeing gives a more enjoyable, safer game for players and that good knowledge of the laws of the game gives our players an advantage. I hope our visitors from the States will be able to pass on what they have learned back home in New England.”
