Joyce Corder - Founder of the Old Dartmothians Women's Section

Joyce Corder - Founder of the Old Dartmothians Women's Section

Who are you? Joyce Corder, founder of the Old Darmothians Women’s Section.

How long have you lived in Dartmouth? Most of my life – and I’ve just had my 90th birthday. I was born in Clarence Street, one of a family of five children. My parents were John and Amy Tucker. Dad worked as a fitter in one of the boatyards on the river.

What was it like growing up in Dartmouth? It was a lovely place to grow up. We used to get up to all sorts of mischief – well it wouldn’t have been natural for children otherwise! We were out and about all the time. We had a lot of freedom. They were happy times.

What can you tell us about the Old Dartmothians Women’s Section? The Old Dartmothians had been around for years – but it was for men of the town only. I was working in what used to be the Home and Colonial and serving a customer one day, and he was telling me all about the big dinner the men were having for the Old Dartmothians’ Association. It sounded marvellous and I remember saying: “I’m from Dartmouth – can we women come?” The answer was no, and I was annoyed. “We were born in Dartmouth too,” I said. “What’s the difference?” But he wouldn’t change his mind, and said I would have to start my own association.

So right there and then I got a pen and paper and as ladies came into the shop I asked them if they would be interested in joining. Before the end of the day I had 35 on the list. They had to have been born in Dartmouth, or have lived here for at least 10 years. We had our first meeting in what was then called the Constitutional Club. It was 1961. Now we have about 250 members – all Dartmouth women who are always willing to help each other, organise events and get involved.

Are you in charge? I’ve been chair and president, but now I’m just a member. However I have a nice brooch that I sometimes wear which says Past President, and everyone always makes a fuss of me! I look forward to seeing everyone at our events and meetings, and they send a taxi for me because I can’t get about so well these days.

What’s special about your organisation? We’re all Dartmouth people – we’ve been here a long time and the town is important to us. We all know each other and nothing is too much trouble, everybody helps each other. We give donations to other local organisations, especially the ones that work with youngsters, and raise money at coffee mornings and different events. We have two dinners a year, one at Regatta and the other at Christmas when we go to the Royal Castle. Nigel always makes a fuss of us – he dresses up as Father Christmas and sits on our laps, not the other way around! Everyone gets a present. It’s good fun. On a more serious note we have a welfare officer and if someone is not well or having problems we go and see them and look after them until they are OK.

What does Dartmouth mean to you? It is a real community. I lived in Stoke On Trent for a while but I missed the sea, the boats, the river and the people.

What took you so far away? I met my husband Leonard before the war and he was from Liverpool. We went there because of his work, but I was glad to come back.

How did you meet? Leonard’s family were distant relations of my mother’s. He was in the Navy and was stationed down here, so he came to see her. Then he came again, and again, and after a while my Mum said: “I don’t think it’s me he’s coming to see – I think it’s you!” We were married in St Saviour’s in 1944. Leonard had been in Burma for four and a half years. The wedding was meant to be at 2pm but the vicar forgot! He didn’t turn up and I was stuck there like a dummy in my frock. The curate was doing a funeral so someone went to wait for him and tell him, and when he’d finished he rushed round to marry us. In those days you went to a studio afterwards to have your photos taken. But by the time we were married the studio was shut. We had to knock on the door and get them all up it was so late. It was a bit of a disaster. Because of the War we only had a very short honeymoon, in Newton Abbot would you believe.

Where did you work? I was in the Wrens and was at the Naval College for three years, but I spent a lot of time looking after my mother. She was an invalid. She had four strokes and was bedridden for 13 years – she didn’t know me. Then of course there was the Home and Colonial which was lovely because I saw lots of people.

Can you tell us about your family? My lovely daughter is Jeannette Barker, and she lives in Dartmouth.

Do you have a favourite Dartmouth view? I love to stand at the hospital and look at the castle and out to sea. Beautiful Dartmouth – I can see no fault in it.

Over the years, which have been your favourite walks? I used to love to go down to Old Mill, right down that steep hill – lovely! As children we used to play down

First Published February 2011 By The Dart

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