Peter Hay was a Reading illustrator, painter, and teacher who is probably best remembered for founding the Two Rivers Press in 1994, illustrating many of the works with his unique style using stamps carved into erasers. He worked from his studio and home in Newtown, Reading, and joined the Reading Guild of Artists in 1999 where he exhibited watercolours and acrylics. He served on the RGA Council for two years, before his untimely death in 2003.

Born in Stockport, Cheshire 5 June 1951 he came to Reading in 1975 to study Fine Art at the university. Hay lived close to where the Kennet meets the Thames and took part in the successful campaign to prevent a dual carriageway from being built. This led to his creation of Two Rivers Press.

Reading Museum is home to a collection of Peter’s rubber eraser stamps (he carved detailed relief designs into soft budget erasers), as well as a few woodblocks, screen prints, and linocuts.