Former Town Clerk Was 'Father of Bideford' - 10th April 1959

The 'Father of Bideford' was how the Mayor, Mr A C Hooper, described Mr F C Backway, former Town Clerk for 25 years, when, at Bideford's ancient Manor Court ceremony on Saturday, he presented him with a water colour of Bideford Town Hall and Bridge. Mr Backway recently retired for health reasons. The Mayor praising his work during 54 years of service to the borough, said that Mr Backway had been a member of 38 committees at the time of his retirement. 'We are all deeply sorry that he was not able to continue. He has been greatly missed. He was a first class Town Clerk and a first class man for Bideford. He was a first class supporter of anything that meant the furtherance of Bideford's prosperity; the Mayor added. 'If given the rest of this morning to try to express adequately what we in Bideford owe to our former Town Clerk, I would not have the time even then to do it.' The Mayor said he made the presentation on behalf of the aldermen, councillors and freemen of the borough. He also read a message of congratulation to Mr Backway from the Association of Municipal Corporations. The message paid tribute to Mr Backway' service. Mr Backway said the presentation would remind him of many long and happy associations. He appreciated, he said, the loyal support which had always been given to him by the officers of the Council. Local government was a partnership of the elected representatives and the officers they employed.