A STALWART member and president of the Tavistock Musical Theatre Company has died aged 80.

Margaret Crook was a well known and much loved Tavistock resident, through her love of music and her time as ladies' president at Tavistock Golf Club.

Margaret, born in 1934, first joined the theatre company in 1963, back when it was called Tavistock Amateur Operatic Society, for the production of Gypsy Baron.

Over the years Margaret played an assortment of varied parts in a long list of shows, some tragic, some dramatic and some comedic. But Margaret excelled in comedy none more so than her portrayals of Miss Hannigan in Annie, 1988, and Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane, 1973.

Margaret acted in many other roles for the company not only as a singer and dancer but also director, producer, choreographer, committee member and as president.

TMTC's chairman Julian Bennett said that Margaret was Tavistock's equivalent to Dame Judy Dench: 'When Margaret would stand on stage the whole place would light up! We are going to miss her but we all have great memories.'

One member said: 'As a much loved life member of the company Margaret will be sorely missed and will always be with us in our hearts and minds.'