Tributes to Brenda Dismore, Bridlington's first female mayor and a legendary figure in the town

Tributes have been paid to an inspirational Bridlington woman who was devoted to the town.
She loved the area and felt very strongly about it being a great place to live and for people to go on holiday.She loved the area and felt very strongly about it being a great place to live and for people to go on holiday.
She loved the area and felt very strongly about it being a great place to live and for people to go on holiday.

Brenda Dismore – the town’s first female mayor – has died, aged 90.

As well as running the Southcliffe Hotel, Mrs Dismore was a chair of tourism for the area, the chair of governors at Bridlington School, a presenter on Bridlington Hospital’s radio and a volunteer for the Samaritans.

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“Mum was a legendary figure in Bridlington for many years,” said one of her three sons, Julian.

“She loved the area and felt very strongly about it being a great place to live and for people to go on holiday.”

Mrs Dismore moved to Bridlington in 1946 with her parents and sister, Leona.

Her father, Frederick Hartley, was mayor elect but died in 1961 before he could take up the role.

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Her husband, Ian, was deputy mayor before he was killed in an accident while on council business in 1966.

He was inspecting a swimming pool as part of research for a new facility for Bridlington when he fell through a roof.

She suffered her own ill-health in her 30s which almost took her life.

“Being a woman in the ’60s and ’70s was enough of a challenge but she overcame all that to become Mayor and run the family business and raise three sons on her own,” said Julian.

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“We’re all very proud of her and everything she achieved, despite great adversity.”

Mrs Dismore has three sons – ormer MP for Hendon Andrew, HMRC civil servant Nigel and TV producer Julian – and five grandchildren.

She was Mayor of The Borough of North Wolds, as Bridlington was then known, between 1975 and 1976.

She trained and worked as a professional ballet dancer and was a member of the Royal Academy of Dance, with her passion for dance continuing throughout her life.

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In the 1950s, she and her husband directed and produced numerous variety shows for charities at Bridlington Spa.

When she was Chair of Tourism, she brought a host of top stars to Bridlington, including Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Howerd, Freddie and the Dreamers and Ken Dodd.

“She was a charming, formidable, witty and entertaining lady,” said son Andrew.

“She will be missed not just by her family but by an awful lot of people who she did a lot for.”

Mrs Dismore’s funeral takes place at Bridlington Priory at noon on Monday February 17.

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