Meet the Team
Hi, I’m Richard Lawrence, and I’m the Treasurer.
I grew up in Praze-an-Beeble and, after leaving school, completed a college course at Cornwall College on Mechanical Engineering, with work placements at Chris Blewetts in Praze Square. To build on my mechanical engineering studies, I also completed an ASME IX welding course at Pool. (now the Duchy Centre)
Armed with my qualifications, I was ready for the world of work and landed a job at J&F Pools and spent two years welding up Ovens and Safes for the MOD on a contract in No 3 Works, shortly when that came to an end I landed a job at Hawkins Motors on Hayle Terrace. I spent several years there before realising that working on vehicles wasn’t quite as glamorous as I’d imagined! So, I swapped spanners for the driver’s seat and became a bus driver with Western National.
Unfortunately, wages were tight, and when a much more lucrative opportunity came up in Droitwich, I packed my bags and headed off to “build my kingdom.” Thirty years later, after being made redundant, the boy finally came home.
I have to admit, I really missed the pasties… and, of course, being back home.
Not long after returning, I read in The Pump that unless someone stepped forward, the publication would have to close because it urgently needed a treasurer. I gave Jeff a call, he explained what the role involved, and before I knew it, I was part of the team.
So here we are—and thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and supporters, The Hayle Pump lives on!
Hi, I’m Sue Needham and my role is in Publishing and Websites.
My name is Tina Morgan and I make sure you get your subscriptions fulfilled. I was born a long time ago in London, brought up in Manchester, and later made my home in New Zealand.
After training as a nurse in Manchester, I worked there for several years before fulfilling my dream of emigrating to New Zealand. I travelled there by ship on a wonderful seven-week voyage for the princely sum of just £20.
At the time, New Zealand was encouraging people with professional skills to settle there and even paid their fares, provided they stayed for at least two years.
I ended up staying for 47 years.
During that time, I nursed for ten years, bought a house, and acquired a dog. I later moved to a glorious but remote spot, 50 kilometres from the nearest town, where I met my husband, Bill. We married and spent seven wonderful years living “The Good Life” before moving to a beachside home with views to die for. We enjoyed 28 very happy years together until Bill sadly passed away in 2006.
In 2013, I returned to Cornwall to live near my sister and to spend time with our father. Sadly, he died just a couple of weeks after I arrived.
Today, I am very content living in Hayle. It’s a friendly, welcoming little town, although I have to admit that a piece of my heart will always remain in New Zealand.
A few years ago, Sarah Turk, Jeff’s wife, asked whether I would consider taking over the Hayle Pump subscriptions, as she was finding it difficult to continue. I’m still looking after them today and think of my subscribers as my invisible friends. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of them over the years, which is always lovely.
I also write the occasional short article for this splendid little magazine and am proud to feel part of the Hayle Pump family. Greetings to you all!
Hi, I’m John, and I’ve proudly distributed the Hayle Pump throughout the community for the past 10 years. It’s a role I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, helping ensure local residents stay connected with the latest news, events and community stories.
Before retiring, I had a varied career, working as a bus driver, an HGV driver, and later in route planning for Britvic, where I helped coordinate efficient delivery operations.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time gardening and take great pride in maintaining my raised bed along King George V Walk, helping to brighten the local area for everyone to enjoy.
Giving back to the community is important to me, so you’ll often find me delivering for the Hayle Food Bank on Saturdays, helping support local people in need.
I’m also a keen darts player and have the honour of captaining the Hayle Rugby Club darts team. Whether it’s through volunteering, gardening, sport or delivering the Hayle Pump, I enjoy being an active part of the Hayle community and doing what I can to make a positive difference.