|The South Marysburgh Mirror 9) St. Philip’s Roots ‘n Wings Frances Plomer Our community, and the church of St Philip's, lost one of its most remarkable members when Frances died last month at the age of 85. Bom in London, England, Frances joined the Roy- al Navy as a WREN in World War II. She went to work at the Admiralty for the Miscellaneous Weapons Branch and her first job was to chauffeur LCdr Nevil Shute Norway, well known as an author and engineer, He wrote many nov- els including a Town Like Alice, and he had been on the design team of the successful Vickers R 100 airship. The Miscellaneous Weapons Department worked on novel ideas which might help the Navy to shorten the War, and, in it, Frances worked in many branches of the Royal Navy and eventually came to specialize i in work to improve the ships’ gunnery capabilty. It was in this capacity that she came to ja, to train the gunners on defensive- ly armed merchant vessels. On the voyage home, she met Commander James Plomer, RCN and they were married a few weeks later. She left the Navy and took on the many responsibilities of a wife of a senior naval officer while raising her family. She and her husband were both seriously stricken with polio in 1947 but recovered. Her husband's Naval Career moved them to Belfast, then to Halifax, St John’s Newfoundland, back to England, then to Canada again to Victoria British Columbia in 1951, back to Eng- land in 1953, then to Cornwallis Nova Scotia , then to Otta- wa, back to Halifax, and then back to Ottawa on the Com- modore’s last official posting with the Navy. Like many a service wife, she had to look after each move of family and furniture by herself. In 1963, the time in the Navy ended when like many responsible officers, Commodore Plomer opposed the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces and took an early retirement. This is when the Plomers discovered The County and chose a house on Black River. Frances became a long- time respected member of the Tennyson Society. In 1967, Jim Plomer was one of the founders of the Mariners Muse- um in South Bay and Frances was one of the wives who toiled to help make this a reality. She also supported the Quinte Summer Music Festival. Sadly, Commodore Plomer died in May 1986, and their daughter, Billie died suddenly in October 2002. Frances will be fondly remembered as a gracious and dignified member of our community and of the congre- gation of St Philip's. Our heartfelt condolences to the Plo- mer family in their great loss. HOMECARE FOR SENIORS Need extra help at home? Qualified DSW with 20 years experience in personal & palliative care of clients will come to your home and assist you with your: > personal care (females only) > light housekeeping > shopping > laundry Call Colleen after 6:00 any evening at 613 476-7683 Fiddles & Frostbite - Cont'd from page 1 company at Christmas. Sam is, of course, my daughter, and Matti is her partner and their specialty is (Republic of) orgian music, so they're going to come along an guest spot. They may round up a few of their friends too, so the audience will really hear something a little different. It's great to have Judy along too - we're all looking forward to working with her. Every time you add someone new to the line-up it subtly changes the sound of the show." Audiences over the years have leamed that they are apt to hear almost anything at a Fiddle & Frostbite show, from country to Celtic to classical, with a little folk, a little Acadian, some Prince Edward County stories and now a little spicing of world music. "It's just fun," says Kellough, "It's a warm sort-of post- holiday mix of good cheer." "Fiddle & Frostbite" starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, De- cember 27th at Mount Tabor Playhouse. Tickets are $20 each and are available at Books & Co., Picton; at Hicks' General Store, Milford; by calling 613-476-3988 or emailing kellough@kos.net; and at the door.