A woman from Helston has retired from her nursing career after 42 years in a job where she "loved looking after local families".
Sarah Spence, who was born and bred in Helston, has recently retired from her role as practice matron at Meneage Street Surgery, after being in the post for the past five years.
She began her love for nursing as an auxiliary at Meneage Hospital, where she was told: "If you still like it after being at the coal face of nursing it's the career for you."
After leaving Meneage Hospital, Sarah then went on to train in London at University College London Hospital, where later she became staff nurse after completing her training.
She met her husband Peter in London and went on to have twin girls, Alice and Emma. The family then returned to Helston when the girls were ten weeks old.
Sarah with twin daughters Emma and Alice
Now back in her home town, Sarah returned to work at Meneage Hospital until it closed and then moved to the new Community Cottage Hospital where she was ward sister for 14 years, whilst the twins attended Parc Eglos and Helston Community College.
Sarah then took on the role of community matron in Penzance, followed by the new innovative role of practice matron at a surgery in Penzance for another 14 years. She finally moved to Meneage Street Surgery and remained a practice matron for five years until her retirement last week.
A true Helstonian, Sarah was a part of the lead set for the Midday Dance on Flora Day back in 2004, along with Joy Retallack, Russell Pascoe and Graham Matthews.
Now she has retired, Sarah has made some plans for her free time. She will be spending more time with her four grandchildren, as well as her parents, walking the dog and meeting up with friends for lunch.
Sarah on her last day at Meneage Street Surgery, Helston
Alice Ashe, one of Sarah's daughters, wrote on her Facebook page regarding her mums’ retirement: "Our super Mumma, the best nurse ever! Happy retirement. Here’s to lots more granny days, coffee and cake trips and fun times… don’t go booking too many holidays though!"
Sarah's colleagues at the surgery said: "All of us at Meneage Street Surgery will miss her and wish her well for her retirement."
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