A LOCAL group for retired and semi-retired professional people is set to launch a ladies group.

The chair and a committee member of the Launceston Men’s Probus has presented the founder members of the ladies group with a prized gavel.

It came at a meeting where the speaker was councillor and past town mayor Margaret Young, who entertained attendees with anecdotes from her life. Margaret began by mentioning that she was born in Looe but the family soon moved to a cottage in Race Hill Launceston.

A spokesperson for the Probus detailed her talk as thus: “Although she was under three years of age she remembers two things about that cottage - that it had an outside toilet and reeked of cats, A more pleasant memory was of being taken to the market by her father. The Youngs then moved to a council house in Broad Park. Whilst there and aged about five she gave a bouquet at a British Legion event. Margaret had kept the dress which she wore at the time, which she showed to Probus Club members.

“Margaret first attended St. Stephens school, which she remembers as a very friendly place with only three classes. After passing her 11 plus - quite an achievement in those days - she went to Cornwall Grammar School. One of the things she enjoyed there was playing paddle tennis. The classes were initially single sex, but became mixed.

“She always wanted to teach and went to teacher training college near Brighton. She met her future husband in Launceston Castle grounds. She took the opportunity to move back to Cornwall and fulfill her desire to have her children born in the county. She got a temporary job at Launceston College teaching Home Economics.

“The job became permanent and she remained at the college for thirty eight years, becoming assistant Head Teacher. Margaret went to Uganda as The college was linked to a school in Kampala. She has a lasting memory that despite their poverty the children were always clean and immaculately dressed.

“Margaret enjoyed getting involved in the local community, and amongst other things supported the Guides and dementia charity. She joined Launceston Council and felt privileged to become Mayor in 2019. The image was somewhat dented when she wore the Mayoral robes her nephew said she looked like a pirate!

“Margaret also joined Launceston Rotary club, becoming president and commented that the Rotary shop in town was run by enthusiastic volunteers, having no permanent staff.”

Their first April meeting will be a talk on the Cornwall Air Ambulance service.

Probus meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with a speaker followed by an optional buffet lunch. The club is primarily for retired or semi-retired people, providing a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on entertainment.

For further information on past and future activities of Probus, including talks and visits, please visit our website at www.probusclub.net/launcestoncornwalluk/ or our Facebook page ’Probus Club of Launceston - Cornwall’.