Registrar who held

2,000 weddings

THE death has occurred of Margaret Haynes, former registrar of Saltash and secretary of Saltash May Fair committee, at her home in town.

Mrs Haynes was connected with many organisations over the years. Born in Cumberland, she met her husband, Ray, when she was serving in the WRNS and he was in the Royal Navy. They married in 1951 and moved to Saltash in 1964.

Mr and Mrs Haynes had two daughters, Susan and Christine, and when they were at school she became a dinner lady at Saltash junior school. Later she became registrar from 1979 to 1995 when she retired having officiated at 2,000 weddings.

Even after retiring as May Fair committee secretary she helped out at the Fair and recorded the half-marathon results each year. Margaret was also treasurer and secretary of the Maurice Higgins Room in Victoria Gardens and her husband was chairman. They retired in March of this year because of her husband's ill health.

In earlier days Margaret was a keen keep fit member and was their secretary and also held office in the national keep fit association.

She was a member of the Soroptomists; formerly served on the victim support committee; a former member of Saltash flower club and chairman of the local NSPCC committee.

Both Margaret and Ray were members of Saltash First Forum and attended the meeting the day before her death.

The funeral was held earlier this month at St Stephen-by-Saltash parish church.

Mrs Haynes leaves her husband and two daughters.

Crib service

on television

THE blessing of the crib and a carol service held in the hospital chapel of St Barnabas, Saltash, was filmed by Carlton Television for a programme expected to be shown in March about the nursing profession. Nurses, patients and friends of the hospital attended and the chapel was full to overflowing.

Canon Richard Maynard officiated and gave a short address in which he described how St Francis of Assissi had thought of the idea of the first crib in Italy many years ago. John Honeywill was pianist for the carols which included the children singing Away In A Manger. Lessons were read by nurses Heather Ahern and Julie Bazley. Guests included the mayor, Bryan Preston, and Sir Vernon Seccombe, President of the League of Friends of the hospital.

Festive meeting

AT the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Saltash group's December meeting members were told the next pub lunch will be at the Ploughboy.

The New Year's party will be on January 15. Patricia Lewis gave an account of functions she had successfully arranged, and secretary Kathleen outlined the programme for 2001.

Carols were sung, with some solo verses by Patricia. Members' experiences at Christmas time were read by Kathleen, Irene Hassett, Des, Patricia, Nikki and Mr W Osborne. Before tea and hot mince pies Myra thanked all who contributed to the arrangements, and pianist Mrs Drew.

Myra was also thanked for putting the programme together. Elsie Foster thanked all who worked behind the scenes.