Former Mayor and Mayoress of Bideford, Mr and Mrs Harold Blackmore, celebrate their golden wedding
Both natives of Appledore, they were married in the Congregational Church there on February 18, 1922, by the Rev. R. Dobbie.
It was a boy and girl romance. There was an affinity because Mrs Blackmore’s father, Mr Freddie Shutt, had a ship-repairing business on Appledore Quay and Mr Blackmore’s family a shipyard opposite St Mary’s Church. When they began courting Harold was apprenticed in the family business and Florrie, the youngest of six daughters, was a pupil at Barnstaple Grammar School. She left home at 7 a.m. to catch the ferry to Instow, from where she continued by train. It was 6 p.m. before she returned and Harold was always there to meet her. When the tide was out, of course, it meant walking halfway across.
Mr Blackmore had the distinction of being born in a ship’s cabin on the bank of the River Torridge at Hubbastone. His grandfather had broken up a brigantine, the Delaware, and had built his home from the deck house and other timber. The house, named after the vessel, was something of a show place.
Mr and Mrs Blackmore, now 73 and 71 respectively, moved to Bideford from Appledore in 1941, the shipyard having been transferred here three years earlier. Later he founded Laminated Woods Ltd. He was awarded the M.B.E. for services to the Admiralty. At the first attempt Mr Blackmore was elected to the Town Council in 1962, topping the poll, and he was elected Mayor in 1967. Next month his services to the community will be marked by conferment of the honorary freedom of the borough. His work in many spheres, including the Congregational Church, is well known.
Mrs Blackmore, who has supported her husband in his many roles, has also been a tireless worker for the Congregational Church. For 42 years until 1968, she was actively associated with the North Devon Congregational Women’s Guild, for two of them as president and 11 as secretary. She has always been a keen worker for Lavington Church.
Mr and Mrs Blackmore have a son and two daughters, who have arranged a family celebration dinner.
Gazette article dated 11 February 1972