FRIENDS and fellow members of Grays Townswomen's Guild paid tribute to the service of a longstanding servant for the club at this week's meeting.

For more than three decades Joan Slocombe has turned up at the group's meetings, currently held at the Grays Methodist Church Hall on Hathaway Road, and made the tea for members.

At yesterday's meeting (Wednesday, 22 September), which was also the date of her 90th birthday there were gifts, a cake a well-deserved round of applause for Joan.

The gifts were presented by the guild chair Yvonne Lauder.

After the surprise presentation the guild were addressed by guest speaker, Thurrock Nub News editor Neil Speight, who spoke about his life in the media and of his experiences of journalism in Thurrock.