AS I made and wrote my Christmas cards along with the wonderful friends and greetings sent are those greetings which, this year were not sent, in the phsysical sense anyway, to old and dear departed friends. I refer specifically to two great women who have coloured my life and contributed through theirs to the greater well being of others in our town. The late Mary Williams, a true countrywoman from Bere Alston who was married to the last full time beekeeper in the Tamar Valley. Mary worked at Age Concern and later TASS charity shop for many years until her late nineties. Mary was chairperson of the Wednesday ladies club at Bere Alston and formerly a leading light in St John?s Ambulance Brigade. Right to the very last, when Mary was too frail to travel to work at the charity shop, never daunted, she worked from home knitting outfits for the premature babies ward at Derriford Hospital. Mary set an example in living which would be hard to emulate. Another dedicated volunteer from Age Concern, later Tavistock and Area Support Services, Wynn Butterworth, wife of former chairman Sydney, who worked such long and dedicated hours to support other elder citizens in our town, is no longer with us, and with Mary will be sadly missed and well remembered by their family and friends. There are many wonderful and shining examples of fine and dedicated community makers all around me with whom to celebrate another great festive season in Tavistock. For all of those who, for one reason or another, are no longer with us I sincerely express my deep appreciation for all they have done to help to make our town not just the best market town but a sparkling community of precious moments leading us forward from 2005 into a happy and prosperous 2006. Best wishes to you and your staff for the festive season who support us all so well with your newspaper. Caroline Keane Deputy mayor of Tavistock
