One of the most divisive leaders of the nation in recent memory, Margaret Thatcher, has died following a stroke, her spokesman Lord Bell has said.

Lord Bell said: "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke on Monday morning.

"A further statement will be made later."

Many people still remember Baroness Thatcher's visit to Falmouth in November 1982, when she was given a tour of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Castle Drive by the then Chief Coastguard, Lieutenant Commander Tim Featherstone-Dilke. 

Accompanied by her husband Denis, Mrs Thatcher was presnted to the regional controller Captain Peter Harris, acting regional controller Mike Collins, district controller Robbie Roberts, station officer (operations) Mike Osborne, acting station officer (admin) Dave Lewis and auxillary coastguard-in-charge Jim Horsborough. 

During her hour-long tour Britain's only female prime minister to date was presented with a blue coastguard beret.

She later joined the West Cornwall Tories at the Princess Pavilion for a lunch of cold chicken salad.

Other guests included then Falmouth Docks managing director Dennis Pascoe and Falmouth's MP at the time David Mudd. 

MP for Truro and Falmouth, Sarah Newton (Con) has paid tribute to Baroness Thatcher, saying she admired her "sense of purpose and determination".

"She is an inspiration to women politicians as she succeeded against the odds in the male dominated world of Westminster.


"Along with many nations around the world I also admire her for her contribution to the cause of freedom, promoting human rights and democracy especially in the what was the Soviet Union."

For the full live article covering Margaret Thatcher's death click here

Do you have memories of Margaret Thatcher's visits to Cornwall, or her impact on life in the county. Contact us at jonathan.millar@packetseries.co.uk, get in touch via Twitter on @thepacket, or comment below.