ON Saturday, April 11, more than 70 friends and family gathered at Sandford Cricket Club to celebrate the 90th birthday of Sandford resident Margaret Phillips.

Reverend Wendy Jackson, who was vicar at Sandford for many years and who has remained a close friend to Margaret, gave a short speech before Margaret cut her celebration cake.

Margaret chose to have the celebration at Sandford Cricket Club because she and her late husband Derek, have had a special link with the club, having been loyal supporters for the past 50 years, Derek holding the post of chairman for many years.

Margaret took the opportunity to make a special presentation of a framed picture to the club, which was received by Mike Discombe, current chairman.

The picture is an original 1950's hand painted advert for players to consider joining the newly formed Sandford Cricket Club!

It had fallen into disrepair and Margaret, along with the support of Neil and Cilla Butterfield, arranged for it to be restored and returned to the club.

It was a wonderful afternoon.

A celebration cake was supplied by Hat-a-Cakes of Crediton and the rest of the food by generous members of the community.

Margaret was the long-serving administrator, for more than 20 years, of the Sandford 200 Club, which raised funds for Sandford Cricket Club and Sandford Football Club.

She stood down as administrator in January 2024.

Margaret has also raised hundreds, if not thousands of pounds over the years by knitting Christmas puddings and Easter chicks, which contained a chocolate, in aid of the Breast Care Unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter and other charities.

She also collected used postage stamps for Hospiscare and organised charity fundraisers locally as well as filling shoe boxes for children overseas each Christmas.