It was with sadness that NAWP members learned of the death of Peggy Baker.
Peggy was a real character and hero for locums, in and around Cardiff.
After finishing her degree at The Welsh School of Pharmacy, UWIST 1970-73, Peggy did her pre-reg with Boots. It was at this time that she joined the Cardiff branch of NAWP, paying her first subs in the year 1973-74, according to our records. Peggy was always one to help out, so she was duly elected Treasurer from 1976-1984, then becoming Vice Chairman from 1987-1989 and Chairman from 1989-1992.
During this time, she hosted many meetings at her house in Beatty Avenue. One notable one was a sponsored Wine Tasting, not all the meetings were pharmaceutical. Everyone was encouraged, that is too finer a word, told to bring a plate of food to share. Many of us went home a lot worse for wear, but still got up the next morning for work.
Peggy soon got invited onto the National Executive Committee of NAWP, after attending several weekend schools. She was on the Exec from 1986- 2001. One of her first jobs must have been to organise the Cardiff weekend school, in April 1988. We all stayed in Aberdare Hall, no ensuite but lovely meals. The conference dinner was held in Caerphilly Castle starting with a sherry reception. Peggy always had a warm welcome for delegates, wherever the conference was held, especially anyone who was there for the first time. Peggy arranged late-night drinks parties and early-morning church visits. Her enthusiasm for the organisation was apparent, and rubbed off on us all. We felt it was our duty to fight for women to be able to work as equals and achieve their true potential. Peggy was Publicity Officer from 1995-2001 when she retired from the committee.
Peggy was elected President of NAWP from 1989-1991. During this time, she had a silver chain of office commissioned, funded by Phoenix wholesalers, for the official NAWP enamel badge of office. Peggy’s name was the first to be engraved on it, quite a legacy.
Peggy was still very much involved in NAWP. In 2005 she dressed up in Victorian costume to celebrate the centenary of NAWP at the conference held in Abergavenny. Peggy also went on the coach to The Royal Pharmaceutical Society HQ in London for a lunch at which The Princess Royal was guest speaker.
Peggy will be remembered for her encouragement of young pharmacists, her unpaid locum agency work, sending locums around Cardiff and far-flung places up the Rhondda and her wicked sense of humour. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
May you rest in peace, Peggy.
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