Herald - Issue 417

Page 18 • The HERALD • 6th January 2022 v PROUD TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1994 v • FOGGY/MISTED & BROKEN DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS REPLACED • HINGES & HANDLES • WINDOW & DOOR LOCKS • PATIO DOOR ROLLER MECHANISMS & TRACK • WINDOWS ENERGY EFFCIENCY & SECURITY UPGRADES • WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES SUPPLIED & INSTALLED Telephone 023 8073 1884 • Mobile 07909 654025 Email doubleglazingrepairuk@gmail.com Web www.doubleglazingrepairuk.com DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR UK ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF Your Local Professional Electrician • Complete Rewires • Periodic Inspection Reports • Fault Finding & Repair • New Consumer Units • New Circuits • Central Heating Wiring • Extra Sockets/Lights • PAT Testing • No Job Too Small • Part P Registered • Fast & Efficient Service • Free Estimates Telephone Gary on 07788 865081 forestelectrical@gmail.com All aspects of Plastering & General Decorating Covered Free Quotations Fully Insured Mobile 07941 255335 Phone: 023 8089 8324 parkesij@yahoo.co.uk www.ijs4plastering.co.uk Remembering Peggy Balcombe e owner of a popular 1970’s Hythe hairdressing salon has died aged 95. Peggy Balcombe was also the receptionist at ‘Michael André’ and could o en be found giving manicures to ladies as they relaxed under the driers. She and husband Mick purchased the business in 1972 and eldest son Michael was senior stylist. Peggy was also well known on the Waterside for her voluntary work for the Red Cross and her membership of local ower-arranging clubs. She was a regular church-goer at St Andrews, Dibden Purlieu, where her funeral was held on Wednesday 8th December. Life started for Peggy in 1926 when she was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, to John and Mabel Baker. She was the second of four children. e family settled in Purbrook on the outskirts of Portsmouth. Her father’s o ce was demolished by the rst bomb to strike the city a er World War Two broke out. Peggy married Royal Air Force Flight Sergeant Edward Mike Balcombe in 1946, everyone knew him as Mick who became a Pilot O cer, ying various aircra including the largest bombers. During a posting to India, Mick ew Lord Louis Mountbatten to a meeting, and received a personal letter of thanks from him which Peggy kept and had framed. Having an RAF husband, Peggy found herself living in various homes close to or actually on di erent at St Andrew’s Church, Dibden Purlieu, where she was also a member of the Bible-studying Home Group. Peggy was also skilled at Remembered so fondly, Peggy was a well-loved member of the community dress-making, knitting and woodwork. Her various spice racks, tables, chairs and chests are owned by friends and family. She also enjoyed pottery, producing dozens of decorated vases, mugs, dishes and plates. In 1981 she became a grandmother when daughter Jeane, who’d been living in Australia for some years, gave birth to Tasman. Peggy wasted no time in booking a ight to Sydney to visit the new addition to her family. In 1985 Jeane had a baby girl, Jo Victoria, and Peggy was quickly on another long haul ight to hug her second grandchild. Peggy was a regular Red Cross volunteer, o en on duty at Hythe Hospital helping issue mobility aids, from wheelchairs to walking sticks. She also attended public events where the Red Cross were required to be on standby. She lost husband Mick suddenly, in May of 1995, a er he su ered a massive stroke at the age of 73. Peggy moved to a smaller house in Oaklands Way where she had some very happy years, continuing her various voluntary activities. But following a series of falls, a er which Peggy struggled to recover her mobility and independence, she realised she’d be much safer in care, and moved into Little Haven Residential and Nursing Home in Dibden Purlieu. ere, she spent nine and a half happy years. She bought an adapted car for son Chris to regularly take her out in her wheelchair. She adored a ernoon teas, Stei Teddy Bears and fragrant roses, and had several tubs of scented pink blooms outside her window at the Home. Peggy passed away peacefully in her room on 15th November and a er the funeral service was laid to rest at the Hinton Woodland burial site near Christchurch. air force bases both here and abroad. 1947 saw the arrival of rst child Michael and daughter Jeane arrived in 1951. Peggy and Mick bought a plot of land in Mudeford, Dorset, on which the rst home they actually owned was built, though Peggy recorded in her diary that it was ‘mortgaged to the hilt’. In 1960, on 8th April - the same day and month Michael had been born - Peggy gave birth to third and nal child, Chris. Mick retired from the RAF in 1963 and the family moved to Berkshire, where Peggy became a Beauty Councillor - selling high quality cosmetics to women in their own homes. In 1967, the family moved south to Lee-On-Solent, and while living there purchased the salon in Marsh Parade, Hythe, having fallen in love with the area a er numerous outings to e New Forest over many years. e salon was opposite the working men’s club in Marsh Parade and remains a salon to this day. e salon prospered but proved to be hard work and a er three years, it was sold as a thriving, going- concern. Peggy resumed training to be a nurse, a career she’d begun during the War, at the now-demolished Great Western Chest Hospital in Southampton. She continued to indulge her love of ower-arranging, joining both the Black eld and the Waterside Flower Clubs, and helped with the arrangements Happy couple Peggy and husband Flight Sergeant ‘Mick’ Balcombe on their wedding day