Ex Journal employee remembers when the paper turned 250 years old

Recently the Journal published a gallery of photographs from 45 years ago when our newspaper turned 250 years old.

Yeovil resident Peggy Stoter, 99, recognised herself in one of the photos from when she worked as a telephone operator at the Salisbury Journal during the 1970s.

Read more: ​Special edition celebrating Salisbury Journal's 250th anniversary

Throughout her time at the Journal, Mrs Stoter heard her fair share of exciting stories and she recalled a few as she approaches her 100th birthday.

On one occasion, a photographer named Henry was tasked with taking photos of a new cross being placed atop Salisbury Cathedral from a helicopter.

These photographs formed a special poster which was included in the paper and also sold as a separately.

"They were quite good photos," said Mrs Stoter.

Peggy Stoter will celebrate her 100th birthday this year. (Image: Jane Oborne)

Mrs Stoter also remembered how a prisoner escaped the police while he was being taken into court.

This escapee called the newspaper as he fled the police, using landlines as he moved from house to house.

Since Mrs Stoter was a call handler, she spoke with the man and passed him onto a journalist but then immediately called the police.

Thanks to a combined effort between Mrs Stoter and her colleague, the police were able to intercept the call and track down the fleeing prisoner.

Another story involved a well-regarded sculptor creating a "modern" statue to stand in front of Salisbury Cathedral but it was met with outrage.

"Nobody liked it or knew what it was," said Mrs Stoter.

"People were moaning about it and people in the Close didn't like it. They had to take it away.

"She must have been very upset not to have her statue there but nobody liked it at all."

Mrs Stoter believes the statue was hidden behind the cathedral and that it may still be there today.

Peggy Stoter worked at the Salisbury Journal during the 1970s. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

After being forced to retire from the Journal when she turned 60, Mrs Stoter was determined to carry on working and attended the temporary job office.

Here, she picked up a range of experience from delivering meals on wheels, insurance and making fireworks.

Mrs Stoter eventually stopped working her last job at Marie Curie in Yeovil when she was 94 years old.

Enjoying a quiet life, Mrs Stoter said she didn't like the modern world because "it's too noisy".

Mobile phones and modern machines are a source of frustration for Mrs Stoter, she explained: "I don't know how to work those and I don't want one.

"It's a different world altogether. It's not to do with people anymore because if you want something you ring and get a voice. Maybe I'm a bit of a silly woman but I'm quite happy as I am."

Mrs Stoter will turn 100 years old on December 30 and she's looking forward to a birthday party with her family.