Councillor Tributes

Councillor Cyril Marsburg Tribute

All of us here at the Council have been deeply sadden by the passing of Councillor Cyril.

Cyril’s unique personality brought many moments of laugher and light heartedness to us all over the years for both Councillors and staff.

In his early years Cyril was a military man earning medals for his service to his country, which he wore with pride.

His work in the community began with owning the Haven, a place of shelter and rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction. Cyril’s enthusiasm for supporting others never faltered and he found new ways to help in Bridlington by becoming a Councillor for the East Yorkshire Borough Council in 1991. In 1996 the Borough Council resolved to bestow the honour upon him of Honorary Alderman, Councillor Malcolm Milns recalls that this was much deserved and that Cyril was a “very happy man”.

Cyril loved Bridlington and truly cared about its people, and everything concerned with the town. Standing for Town Councillor at the inception of the Town Council again gave Cyril the opportunity to give back to his beloved Bridlington. He was in fact Mayor of Bridlington three times, something which he was immensely proud of as this gave him further opportunity to be involved with the residents of the town on a one-to-one basis. In 2016 he was further honoured to play the Mayor of Walmington-on- Sea in the Dad’s Army film which was shot in the town.

He was a very private man, humble in the fact that he never sought praise for his work in the community.

He has certainly lived a life well lived and we, as councillors and staff, could not be more grateful for bringing so much to the council, the town and its resident

Tribute to Deputy Mayor Councillor Ray Pollard

Tributes have been pouring in for the well-respected Deputy Mayor and local Councillor Ray Pollard, who sadly passed away on Sunday 18th of January 2026. Councillor Ray was a Bridlington Town Councillor from 2023-2026 and was elected as Deputy Mayor of Bridlington in May 2025.

Ray was born in Bradford on 18th March 1946 and moved to Bridlington to raise his family with his beloved late wife Margaret.  He was known to many as a driving instructor and aided many of the town’s locals to drive. Ray loved nothing more than supporting others and this was evident in his working life when he worked for Ernest Brighams and F. Kneeshaw and later dedicated himself the community as a Civil Celebrant. 

In May of 2023 Ray was delighted and honoured to be able to continue to dedicate himself to serving the people of Bridlington when he  was elected to be a Bridlington Town Councillor for the Bridlington Old Town ward. This was particularly poignant for Ray as he was passionate about all things Old Town and was often found at many of the local Old Town groups.

Ray was a humble gentleman who never took for granted the trust put in him by local residents and in May of 2025 he was truly grateful when he was elected by his peers to become Deputy Mayor of the town. He was supported in his role by his long-term, much-loved partner Doreen as his Deputy Mayoress.

Bridlington Town FC was always the topic of conversation when you were in Ray’s presence. His enthusiasm for the Seasiders was second to none and he gave much of his time to the club.

Ray was a highly respected Councillor who was passionate about his role in the community, and he always made sure that he made a difference helping in every way he could. 

Ray was well-liked with a lovely personality, and his passing is a great loss to us all.