Bideford-Woolsery-Clovelly Golden Wedding Links
Throughout the 50 years that they have been married, Mr and Mrs Herbert Burrow, of “Hillcrest,” 88, Clovelly Road, Bideford, have always kept two “bears” in their home. To a Bideford Gazette reporter Mrs Burrow, who is 74, explained: “When we were married one piece of advice given to us was to have two “bears” in the house – bear and forbear with each other – and we have always tried to live up to that.”
They were married at St Anne’s Church, Bucks Mills, on February 12th 1908 by the late Rev. David Hughes and to mark their golden wedding anniversary a small gathering of relatives and friends was held on Wednesday at their home. They have no children.
Mr Burrow, who is 78, was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph Burrow, of Town Farm, Woolsery. He was the youngest of a family of 12. Before her marriage, Mrs Burrow was Miss Florence Elizabeth Harding, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Harding, of Walland Farm, Bucks Cross.
Both Mr and Mrs Burrow left school at an early age and worked on their parents’ farms. Said Mr Burrow: “I can remember when I was about 11 coming home from school every day and having to milk the cows.” After they were married Mr and Mrs Burrow farmed Highworthy at Clovelly but 13 years later they were forced to give up their way of life because of Mr Burrow’s health. He said: “Although I really retired 37 years ago some people may think I had made a fortune but I didn’t.” Then they made their home in Bideford and have been here ever since.
Mr Burrow’s main hobby has been gardening – “I loved my allotments,” he said. Until he retired a few years ago, Mr Burrow was a keen bowler, having been a member of the Bideford (Strand) Bowling Club. He was also an enthusiastic skittler. For many years Mrs Burrow played the organ at Bucks Mills Chapel and after their marriage both regularly attended Woolsery Chapel. They are now members of High Street Methodist Church, Bideford and Mrs Burrow is also a member of the church’s Women’s Own, and she helps in the Women’s Missionary work.
Both Mr and Mrs Burrow were critical of present-day conditions. Said Mrs Burrow: “People these days don’t seem at all grateful for anything; the more they have the more they want – there is too much greed in the world.” Pointing to a clock on the mantelpiece of their dining room, Mr Burrow declared: “That cost only seventeen shillings and it was one of our wedding presents – that wouldn’t be much of a wedding present these days.” He added: “Coal cost only 8d. a cwt. when we were first married and just look what it is today – about nine shillings.”
Mr and Mrs Burrow now share their household chores. Said Mrs Burrow: “Father does most of the cleaning in the house while I do the cooking and dusting.” She continued; “You know we have been very comfortable and happy in our lives and I would not change my partner if I could go back over my life again.”
Both have been non-smokers and teetotallers all their lives.
Mr Burrow has been an enthusiastic supporter of Woolsery Agricultural Show since it began. He said: “I don’t think I have missed more than two since it began over 60 years ago.” He added: “And my seat’s booked again for this year.”
Gazette article dated 14 February 1958