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To all who knew her, Miss Hilda May Richards of Newlyn was
affectionately known as 'Rosebud' - and was personally linked to the historic
voyage of the long-liner to Westminster pier in 1937.
Her father, Cecil H B Richards, later Cornwall Sea Fisheries Officer,
was at the helm of the fishing vessel PZ 87 when a piece of Cornish history
was carved out. Hilda, then an attractive and lively teenager, travelled
by train to represent 'the youth of Newlyn' in London for the presentation
to Sir Kingsley Wood, Minister of Health, of a petition protesting at
the borough council's plan to pull down half the homes around the harbour
front. Her association with the visit continued through the years and
she was present in 1987 when the descendants of the nine-man crew - all
Methodists and related to one another - performed the unveiling of a plaque
at the Fishermen's Mission to mark the half-century.
During her working life she was a secretary at the Penzance Borough Council
and was known to people throughout the area.
She died aged 85, at Treliske Hospital, Truro after living for the whole
of her life at Lower Green Street, Newlyn.
The funeral service was held at Newlyn Centenary Methodist Church, where
she had been a faithful worshipper since its opening in 1927.
The Richards family link with Primitive Methodism spanned many generations.
Her father's middle Christian names were those of its founder, Hugh Bourne.
Before the building of Centenary, the families worshipped at the former
Ebenezer Chapel in Boase Street.
Miss Richards had a strong personal faith demonstrated by her constant
efforts on its behalf and membership until her death.
Recent illness had prevented the regular attendance she had maintained
down the years and the car driving that she enjoyed.
The 'mission' to London in Coronation Year 1937, when she accompanied
the wives of the Rosebud crew, also reflected her sense of adventure.
She travelled throughout the country and Europe during the 1950s and
'60s.
When she set her mind to the many tasks in her busy life, she was always
strong-willed and determined.
She will long be remembered for her generosity and her personality.
She was a talented musician as pianist and soprano, was a potter and
sculptor in clay as well as a poet.
She would often bring her poems to read at the chapel's evening service.
These held treasured memories for her and her audience.
At harvest home and bazaar events she delighted in the spirited fundraising.
Miss Richards was gifted and delighted in an eccentricity with a witty
sense of humour.
She was blessed with a deep and strong personal faith that she often
proclaimed with assurance, was a member of the large chapel choir in earlier
years, became a Sunday School teacher and guild secretary, giving to all
aspects of church life.
During the war, HMS Rosebud did patrol duty with the Royal Navy and,
on her return to the
local fishing scene, with new owners was renamed the Cynthia Yvonne.
The 'Rosebud' name lives on at the Rosebud Court at the far end of Lower
Green Street, where three of the original crew had their homes.
Miss Richards took part in the naming ceremony a few years ago.
The funeral hymns, Will Your Anchor Hold and What a Friend We Have in
Jesus, were a further indication of her life and faith.
The service was conducted by Rev Julyan Drew with organist Emmanuel Eddy.
Interment followed at Paul Cemetery.
The funeral director was Graham Kent (H N Peake), Tolcarne, Newlyn. Donations
were made to the Centenary Chapel, in lieu of flowers.
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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