Two-time mayor and long term councillor dies aged 88

Tributes have been paid to 'pillar of the Bridport community', Clifford Samways, after he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 7.

Mr Samways was best known for founding Samways Fish Shop and serving Bridport as mayor on two occasions.

He began his journey as a fisherman in 1956, going on to found Samways in 1961. He was heavily involved in the progression of Bridport, playing a big part in finding housing for residents whilst serving on the town and district councils and helping to deliver a swimming pool to the town. He was even recognised by The Queen for his works and endeavours in the public arena, attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Samways was invited to a garden party with The Queen at Buckingham Palace for his services to the community Picture: Jessica Samways

Mr Samways had seven children: Ruth, Mark, Carol, Linda, Terry, Tania, Clive. He had 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and even 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr Samways met Tamara Watson in 1964 and they later married. They remained together until she passed away in 1985.

He later remarried, remaining with Angie Samways until his own passing. He retired from Samways and his duties as a councillor in the late 90s.

Tania Samways, one of Mr Samways' daughters, said: "He was such a pillar of the community - he was a massive part of the Bridport community. You couldn't walk down the road without being stopped 10 or 15 times. Everybody knew him in some way.

Clifford Samways passed away at the age of 88 Picture: Jessica Samways

"He made me into who I am today, he taught me a lot about respect and manners. He could have had sat down with anyone, from a homeless person to a queen.

"I was very close with my dad, he used to phone me at 8am every single morning. He'd be the one I always went to for advice - if I needed anything I'd go to my dad."

Mr Samways was elected as the Mayor of Bridport on two separate occasions, in 1976 and 1991. He served on the Bridport Town Council for 46 years and West Dorset District Council for 21 years. He helped to deliver a number of initiatives in the Bridport community, being heavily involved in the campaign to bring a swimming pool to Bridport at the Bridport Leisure Centre, he also played a part in keeping the Bridport Boxing Club open when it was on the verge of closing down.

During his time as a councillor, he took particular interest in housing, working hard to house many people throughout Bridport.

Tania added: "One of my memories as a young girl was the amount of people who used to come to our home. They were either homeless or needed help with housing and the amount of people he helped house was incredible.

"The amount of people who have said to me over the years: 'I remember Clifford, he helped me get my first house'."

Clifford Samways was born in North Allington in 1932, he left school at the age of 13 in July 1945 as the Second World War was coming to an end, completing a three year apprenticeship in baking and confectionery.

He joined the RAF when he was 17-years-old. At this time men were expected to carry out a period of national service and Mr Samways realised he would be paid three shillings a day more if he signed up himself, rather than waiting for the call. When his superiors learned of his catering background he was immediately placed in the catering section of the RAF, only seeing one plane in his time serving, outside Cardington airport.

Mr Samways working out of the kiosk at West Bay in the early days of Samways Picture: Jessica Samways

Mr Samways began fishing when he was 24, buying an old boat off of the beach at Seatown. He began selling fish out of upside down boxes at West Bay, which caused a few arguments with the health officer. Samways Fish Shop was later established five years later in 1961. The business is still going strong today, with Mr Samways' son, Clive, at the helm.

Clive Samways said: "Growing up there was never a time he wasn't on the telephone to someone with housing problems, he helped so many people get a house in those times.

"Anything he did, he did 100 per cent. If he started something, he would see it through. If he was convinced it was the right thing he would get results.

"He was larger than life and would always fill a room with his character. He was very generous to his friends and he could mix with people from all walks of life, from the working man to having tea with The Queen. He could mix with anyone and he could command a room."

Mr Samways and his family during a skiing trip to his favourite destination in Austria Picture: Jessica Samways

The two biggest passions in Mr Clifford's life were fishing and skiing. He would visit the same hotel in Austria for up to four weeks a year for more than 50 years, becoming good friends with the family who owned the hotel and others.

Clive added: "He'll be sorely missed by family and friends in Austria - he used to go in the summer and meet them even when he couldn't ski anymore."

"The true love of his life was the sea. After retiring he would still go out to sea in his boat, which he named after his wife Angie's horse 'Mavis', so that if either asked 'where are you going?' the other could reply 'I'm going to Mavis'."

Mr Samways fishing out at sea Picture: Jessica Samways

Angie Samways said: "He was the person that people would go to with their problems. I had people ring at nighttime with their own problems as Clifford was the person they wanted to speak to.

"He was amazing, he stood for the town, he never wanted to go to 'dos' around the country - he was a Bridport man through and through. His whole life was Bridport.

"We've had an awful lot of cards through in the post, speaking about how Clifford was so loyal always had time to help and advise them."

She added: "Our mayoral year (from 1991 to 1992) was amazing, it was so much fun. We were followed everywhere by photographers and it was a fantastic experience.

"He stepped down from the council after 21 years, he could have carried on but didn't want to - he wanted to finish up while he was still doing his best work. He quit while he was ahead."

A small cremation service just for family was held in Weymouth on Tuesday, July 20. A larger celebration of life, to which all are invited, will be held at St Mary's Church in Bridport on Thursday, July 22 from 1pm.