Celebrating Life’s Milestones: Shining a Light on our Registration Team 

13 November 2025

In the heart of our community, the Registration Service Team continues to shine as a beacon of professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Whether it’s welcoming new life into the world, solemnising lifelong commitments, or supporting families through loss, this small but mighty team handles each moment with grace, diligence, and care.

Over the past year, the team has gone above and beyond - adapting to changing legislation, embracing digital transformation, and maintaining the highest standards of service. 

From the front desk to the ceremony room, every member plays a vital role in making life’s most significant milestones both memorable and meaningful. 

At the helm is Hayley Jefferies, Superintendent Registrar and Registration Service Manager, who is celebrating her first year in the role. Having worked her way up from Relief Registrar to Registration Officer and then Senior Registration Officer, Hayley knows the service inside out.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that the role brings. Two days are never the same. Being an operational manager means I can understand the issues down on the ground and support my team with an ever-changing registration service.”

Hayley’s first year in leadership has been filled with achievements and positive feedback from the public.

She adds: “We have received some lovely feedback from our couples who we have married over the summer, and these are just testament to my amazing team.”

Alongside Hayley’s leadership, the team is supported by a wealth of experience - none more so than Gennie Dixon, who has been part of the Registration Service for an incredible 37 years. 

Her passion and dedication have made her a familiar and much-loved face to generations of residents: “Having been in the Registration Service for 37 years, it is fair to say I love my job. I have seen many changes within the service over the years and will hopefully be around for the many more!”

Her career has been filled with unforgettable moments: “There have been many memorable weddings -  from fancy dress with Mr Blobby bouncing around in the background behind me as he couldn’t sit down in his seat, although he was told to stand still – to a Star Wars themed ceremony with Storm Troopers and Darth Vader breathing down my neck – there are far too many to list! 

“The honour of being able to ‘marry’ my brother at Penarth Pavilion and nieces and nephews has been a special part of my job. No one wedding is ever the same and it’s a joy to be part of couples’ special day.”

And it’s not just weddings that make the role meaningful: “Many babies I have registered during the years, when checking their identification documents, to find out I registered their births many moons ago, always is a little bit special – although making me feel old!

“My main passion for my job is helping bereaved families when registering the death of their loved ones. It gives me real job satisfaction that on one of the hardest days of their lives, I am able to help them get through the registration, making the whole experience less daunting than what they expected it to be. 

“The families end up talking and reminiscing and even showing me photos of the deceased. If it gives them comfort, then we just take time out and have a chat. On numerous occasions I get asked how I can do my job day in, day out as I primarily register deaths with just a few birth registrations in the mix, and it is simple - I love working with the public and I love helping people.”

Like many in the team, she attributes much of her joy in the job to her colleagues: “I also need to mention that we have the best team within the Registration Service. We are not just work colleagues, but we are good friends and are an amazing work family, and that makes such a difference. It is a joy to come to work.”

Heartfelt Feedback from Happy Residents

The service’s dedication doesn’t go unnoticed - and the feedback from couples who have celebrated their weddings this year says it all.

One couple said: “Stella went above and beyond from the day we booked our wedding. We spoke to her a few times, and nothing was too much trouble. She really was amazing. We connected as soon as we met her, and Karen was lovely, and she delivered the ceremony with heartfelt emotion and we felt like we had known her a long time. All our guests commented on how sincere she was and she really made our day so special and memorable. Thank you Stella and Karen so much!! Please tell them from us.”

Another couple added: “Barbara and Christine were absolutely fantastic! They made our day so special and even managed to keep us apart until the ceremony began. They took wonderful photos of us all together and were so kind, thoughtful, and supportive throughout. We’re so grateful to them for helping make our day truly memorable.”

The Registration Service continues to exemplify the very best of public service. Every day, they help residents mark life’s most significant moments with joy, dignity, compassion, and care.

Whether it’s a joyful wedding, the registration of a new arrival, or supporting a family through loss, the team plays a quiet but vital role in the story of our community - one that truly makes a difference.