You may have to establish what variety of pear tree it is Dalesheard. No expert, but do know there are those more suitable for cooking than eating off tree, plus those grown for perry or cider making. All the pear trees in my neck of world have produced beyond belief this year,but the weather has brought surprises too,praps lack of water earlier in season caused the skins to become super tougher than they've been before?

High temperatures and low humidity tend to produce tough skins on all kinds of fruit.