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  • Beauty queen turned store detective: Margaret’s sparkling life

7 March 2024

Beauty queen turned store detective: Margaret’s sparkling life

Resident Margaret Regardsoe is continuing a lifetime of amazing achievements ahead of International Women’s Day with a sparkling contribution to her life at Anchor’s Hanover Court housing location in Hythe, Southampton.  

MargaretThe former beauty queen turned store detective has a colourful life to look back on and shows no sign of letting up. 

Her varied career has included being a model and a store detective, and more recently her desire to play a proactive role in the community of Southampton, has seen her make many friends since she moved there in 2013. 

Margaret has raised funds for the housing location’s summer house, and other local causes in the Hythe area, as well as winning Anchor’s Design A Pride t-shirt competition. 

When she was a teenager, she harboured an ambition to work in retail and become a Marks & Spencer girl. 

It was a great company to work for, we had a lovely canteen with subsidised meals that were top notch, we were well looked after. 

We had a hairdresser and a chiropodist, we had to look good and being on your feet all day it was nice to have a foot massage after having your toenails cut and removal of that hard skin.  

I was having my hair done one lunchtime and the fire alarms went off, I had to vacate the store and stand outside in my hair rollers, along with my colleagues and customers. We all had a good laugh.

MargaretMargaret was then asked by her manager to become one of two sales assistants from the store to audition to model M&S clothes. 

I think the manager chose me as I was a singer in those days and used to being on stage.  I was a soloist but also took part in many stage musicals. I also won my heat on a television talent show. 

M&S were after a team of ten girls to join two professional male models on the stage show. There were hundreds of girls at the audition and Margaret didn't think she would stand a chance, but was chosen to become one of the team. 

This new role meant she travelled all over the country meeting famous people who opened the shows and dancing to songs like Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Nice and Easy and Summer Holiday. 

We would stay in a hotel overnight and the next morning were off to a new town and venue to rehearse for a show that evening.

It was wonderful - we had a team of hairdressers and a makeup team to help us look our best and there was a stage crew who would assemble the catwalk and see to the music. Then I would go back to Southampton and work in the store on the other days.

During this time, at the age of 21, Margaret became Miss Marks and Spencer 1968 – chosen from a line-up of M&S girls in swimsuits. Margaret laughs:

I’d become a beauty queen!

BadgeThen as shoplifting increased in store, an opportunity arose to train as a store detective. This involved a month long course in Birmingham with other budding store detectives and learning how the legal system worked.
 
When fully trained, Margaret became store detective in her Southampton store.  

I once jumped on a bus with a shoplifter who was stuffing the goods she’d taken down the side of the seat by the window.

I knew where this bus was going so I jumped off at the police station straight into CID, we followed the bus by car and picked her up about half a mile away, with all the goods in her bag!

But despite her success as a store detective in the 60s and 70s, Margaret recognises how much the environment has changed in the modern world for people doing that work. 

It’s a different job now, and store detectives have been replaced by security guards wearing body armour.

I still modelled for M&S in between catching shop lifters. I enjoyed my time as an M&S girl, I am proud of what I have achieved and that’s down to my father. 

When I left school he gave me some advice: “Margaret,” he said “When you get a job and go to work you will get paid for it, you must work hard and do what is asked of you and you will get satisfaction from it and be rewarded in some way.

I have lived life to the full and enjoyed every minute of it.  Did my father give me good advice?  Yes, he certainly did!

Anchor’s Hanover Court manager Samantha Jones said:

Since being here, Margaret has been a part of the community at Hanover Court and was involved in raising funds for our summer house which we named the Chatterbox.   

The residents raised around £8,000 for the Chatterbox and it is used all the time, for our coffee mornings, virtual coffee mornings, Be Active fitness classes, games, our summer and Christmas parties and social events.

Last year Margaret beat residents across the country in Anchor's Design a Pride T-Shirt competition showing her flare for creativity and design.

More about Hanover Court

Anchor’s Hanover Court is a development of 24 flats close to the New Forest. It is close to two major supermarkets and the village of Hythe with it's hairdressers, coffee shops and waterfront walks. Find out more here.  

Wellbeing

  • Be Wise services

    Be Wise services

    Our Be Wise services offer free and confidential advice to all Anchor residents and colleagues on a range of topics to make the most of your money.

  • Re-engage

    Re-engage

    Re-engage is a telephone based befriending service aiming to help tackle the increased loneliness experienced by many people living with us.

  • Be Active

    Be Active

    Our Be Active wellness and movement programme offers residents a range of free resources to support you in taking care of your health and wellbeing. Find out more.

  • Be Digital

    Be Digital

    Residents can receive free support on all things digital through our Be Digital programme. Find out about our network of Digital Volunteers and the training and resources available to you.

  • Resident virtual coffee mornings

    Resident virtual coffee mornings

    Join the Engagement Team and other residents every Tuesday at 11am for a virtual coffee morning on Zoom.

  • Anchor's community grants

    Anchor's community grants

    Our community grants support initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents across the country. Find out how to apply for grant funding or join the Community Grants Panel here.

Read more from Anchor

Eric Morecambe House care home awarded for continued commitment to veteran care
25 Jul 2025

Eric Morecambe House care home awarded for continued commitment to veteran care

Eric Morecambe House care home in Morecambe has been awarded for its continued commitment to supporting veterans both within the home and across the local community.

Supporting residents with their hobbies at Sandholme Fold care home
24 Jul 2025

Supporting residents with their hobbies at Sandholme Fold care home

Margaret Ackroyd enjoyed visiting her local swimming pool when she lived at home. With the support of carers at Sandholme Fold, she’s been able to continue with the hobby that brings her immense joy.

Springfield care home resident celebrates 105th birthday
23 Jul 2025

Springfield care home resident celebrates 105th birthday

Evelyn Wood, a resident at Springfield care home in Bradford, celebrated her 105th birthday with a visit from the mayor and a telegram from King Charles.

Announcing our 2025 Chef of the Year
16 Jul 2025

Announcing our 2025 Chef of the Year

Congratulations to Shaun West, a Chef Manager at Kingfisher Court care home who won our Chef of the Year competition following one final showdown at The School of Artisan Food on Thursday 3 July.

The Manor House Knaresborough care home makes bucket list dreams come true
15 Jul 2025

The Manor House Knaresborough care home makes bucket list dreams come true

Residents at The Manor House Knaresborough in Yorkshire have been experiencing the magic of having their bucket list dreams turned into reality.

Community spirit thrives at Priors Hall care home
11 Jul 2025

Community spirit thrives at Priors Hall care home

Priors Hall care home in Corby recently opened its doors for the latest gathering of its Community Lunch Club - a vibrant afternoon of friendship, food, and shared stories.

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9 Jul 2025

Anchor welcomes Heather Rowell as Non-Executive Director and Ken Youngman as interim Chief Financial Officer

Anchor is delighted to announce the appointment of Heather Rowell as Non-Executive Director and Ken Youngman as interim Chief Financial Officer.

Lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan returns to Headingley for memory-making day
4 Jul 2025

Lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan returns to Headingley for memory-making day

When Marion moved into The Manor House Roundhay care home, her mobility was limited – and yet last month, the lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan once again entered Headingley Stadium to cheer on her team.

Silver Court care home celebrates achieving VFF status, enhancing care for veterans
3 Jul 2025

Silver Court care home celebrates achieving VFF status, enhancing care for veterans

Silver Court care home in East Grinstead hosted a celebration to mark its achievement of receiving Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status.

 A wartime story from Widnes Hall care home
2 Jul 2025

A wartime story from Widnes Hall care home

Dolly, a resident at Widnes Hall care home, reflects the strength of her generation. Her story, alongside that of her late husband Bert, goes back to wartime Britain and the years that followed.

Kingfisher Court care home chef makes Chef of the Year national final
27 Jun 2025

Kingfisher Court care home chef makes Chef of the Year national final

Shaun West, a chef at a Sutton-in-Ashfield care home has got through to the finals of our annual Chef of the Year competition.

Hatfield House care home chef makes national finals
27 Jun 2025

Hatfield House care home chef makes national finals

A Doncaster care home chef has got through to the finals of our Chef of the Year competition.

Eric Morecambe House care home chef makes Chef of the Year national final
26 Jun 2025

Eric Morecambe House care home chef makes Chef of the Year national final

A Morecambe care home chef has got through to the finals of our Chef of the Year competition.

Anchor feed image
25 Jun 2025

Anchor Responds to RSH Regulatory Judgement 

We are today responding to the regulatory judgement published by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). 

What it means to be a Care Home Manager to Clare
24 Jun 2025

What it means to be a Care Home Manager to Clare

Discover what it means to be a Care Home Manager through Clare's inspiring story, leadership insights, and passion for quality care. Click here to read more.

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23 Jun 2025

Anchor's Service Improvement Manager urges older people who live alone to take care in hot weather

Before hot weather arrives, it is a good time to think about what you can do to protect yourself and your family and friends from heat.

Glenvale Park care home resident celebrates 103rd birthday
20 Jun 2025

Glenvale Park care home resident celebrates 103rd birthday

Dorothy Clements, a resident at Glenvale Park care home recently celebrated her 103rd birthday in the company of family and friends.

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19 Jun 2025

Amanda Holgate named interim CEO after Sarah Jones steps down

After three years as CEO of Anchor, Sarah Jones has decided to step down and has left the business today.

View all Retirement property for rent nearby

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Hanover Gables

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Browse our care homes in these local areas

  • Eastleigh
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  • Yateley

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