Mr F A S Hoare and Miss J N Rudkin

Fellow members of Bideford Rugby Club formed a guard of honour with an archway of corner flags at the Church porch to greet Mr Fred Alan S Hoare and his bride, Miss Jean Nelson Rudkin, after their wedding at St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on March 23rd. The bridegroom, known to most of his friends as ‘Curly’ is a member of Bideford Rugby Club Chiefs and is also a well known local cricketer. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Hoare, of 107 Lime Grove, Bideford. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J N Rudkin, 3 Coldharbour, Bideford. 

The Rector of Bideford, Preb J A Durling, officiated at the ceremony and Mr P Medley was at the organ. There were two bridesmaids – Misses Gail Rudkin, youngest sister of the bride, and Sally Bond, cousin of the bridegroom. Mr Brian Cording, friend of the bridegroom, undertook duties of best man and the ushers were Mr R Halbert and Mr Ian Rudkin. 

Following a reception at Tanton’s Hotel, at which a toast to the happy couple was proposed by Mr S Webber, Mr and Mrs Hoare left for their honeymoon in London. Over 100 presents were received. From the staff of SW Electricity Board, by whom the bridegroom is employed, there was the gift of an electric fire. Flowers were by Messrs Perkins, Mill Street, Bideford. 

The full Gazette article is dated 1 April 1955