An Accommodating Mayor
Councillor Harry Dixon Mayor of Scarborough 1999 - 2000
The Man Harry Dixon was born in Scarborough on 12th June1930 and educated at Gladstone Road School. On leaving school he joined the family business running Holme Lea guest house in Queen Street, later training as a Chef and becoming Ground Caterer at Leeds United where he was responsible for catering at Elland Road. It seems Harry may have married and possibly taken his first wife’s surname, but no detail is available. However during the third quarter of 1971 Harry married Maureen Dixon at Spen Valley and they both worked at Elland Road, Maureen being Secretary to Don Revie, Leeds United Manager for four years during one the clubs most successful periods. Following many busy years in the catering industry Harry and Maureen managed two hotels in Exmouth and Swanage before buying the Southlands Hotel in West Street, Scarborough, which they successfully ran for 17 years. He became an active member of the Hotels Association and Confotel and was later instrumental in establishing the Forum for Tourism. He also spent some time as Chairman of the Catering Department's Board of Governors at Scarborough Technical College, now known as Yorkshire Coast College, and was a Governor of Wheatcroft School. Harry took an interest in local politics and became a member of Weaponess Ward Conservative Group and Chairman for many years. He was elected as a Councillor onto Scarborough Borough Council in 1987 aged 57, retaining his seat at subsequent elections in 1991, 1995 and 1999, having retired from the hotel trade in1997, aged 67. He was elected Deputy Mayor in 1994-94 greatly enjoying the role. Harry was elected Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough in May 1999 and as such oversaw the Millennium celebrations for the town. Harry's free time was filled by his involvement with many fund raising activities, but his greatest passion was sport, particularly football, cricket and golf, being a member of Scarborough South Cliff, he lived with Maureen in Bronte Close.
Sadly Maureen died suddenly on Friday 6th April 2001 of a heart attack aged 68. She and Harry were due to travel to Florida the following week and had been on a break in the Richmond area and was getting ready to go to dinner when she ‘just keeled over’. Maureen had also been a keen golfer and had been Lady Captain of the same golf club as Harry in 1994-95, she had also been a committed member of the Red Cross in Scarborough. Her funeral was held at St Martin's Church, Scarborough, on Thursday 12th April at 12.30pm. Harry remarried during June 2002 to Muriel Blowman and they lived in East Heslerton. Harry was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2003 and stood down from the Council shortly afterwards. In November it was announced he was to be an Honorary Alderman of Scarborough. The honor of only being bestowed on people who are no longer serving on the council, and must have done so for at least 16 years and held the position of Mayor, Leader of a group or Chairman of a main council committee. He was formally appointed at a Council meeting in January 20014. Harry passed away during the early hours of Saturday 8th May 2004 in St Catherine’s Hospice from his illness. Leaving six children, eight grandchildren, two stepsons and three step grandchildren. Following his death, Councillor Eileen Bossomworth, Leader of Scarborough Council said of Harry "Harry contributed a lot to the Borough Council and to businesses in the town. It is very sad that he died so soon after his retirement".
The Story The Past Mayor’s and Honorary Alderman’s Jewel awarded to Harry Dixon were acquired from E-Bay on 16th February 2016, and of interest because of the possibility of gaining research on a former Mayor from their year in office. Scarborough Borough Council Civic Office were contacted, and the Civic Officer, Irene Webster was most helpful in providing the much sought after portrait of Harry in Mayoral robes and a biography. The local Scarborough News also helped providing research form the local press from Harry’s time in Office. The above together with Ancestry.UK allowed Harry’s brief biography to be placed on record for posterity.
Past Mayors Roll of Honour, Scarborough Town Hall
Scarborough
Official blazon
Arms: Per fess wavy Gules and Argent in chief an Estoile of seven points between issuant from the dexter a Lymphad and from the sinister a square Tower all Argent in base three Barrulets wavy Azure all within a Bordure Or.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Lymphad Sable the sail per pale Gules and Argent charged with an Estoile of seven points counter-charged three Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Supporters : On either side a Stag reguardant Gules that to the dexter gorged with a Chain pendant therefrom a Bugle Horn Or that to the sinister gorged with a like Chain pendant therefrom a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Motto: 'PER PERICULA AD DECUS IRE JUVAT' - Let it rejoice thee to set dangers at nought in the quest of honour.
Origin/meaning: The arms were officially granted on 8th May 1975.
The design follows very closely that of the former Borough of Scarborough, whose arms were based on the town's seal dating from the thirteenth century, and illustrate the town's historic and enduring features - its harbour and castle. The addition of a gold border represents the wider area of the new Borough. The lymphad and star, also from the ancient seal, are repeated in the crest and signify the strong seafaring tradition of the area, the sail being charged with an estoile of seven points to represent the seven former local authorities which were united to form the new borough. The stags represent the forests of Pickering, Galtres, and Knaresborough, the horn on one commemorating a Royal Hunt. The presence of the Yorkshire rose requires no explanation. Additions: 1974 Bridlington RDC (partly), Filey UDC, Scalby UDC, Scarborough RDC, Whitby RDC, Whitby UDC
Official blazon
Arms: Per fess wavy Gules and Argent in chief an Estoile of seven points between issuant from the dexter a Lymphad and from the sinister a square Tower all Argent in base three Barrulets wavy Azure all within a Bordure Or.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Lymphad Sable the sail per pale Gules and Argent charged with an Estoile of seven points counter-charged three Roses Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Supporters : On either side a Stag reguardant Gules that to the dexter gorged with a Chain pendant therefrom a Bugle Horn Or that to the sinister gorged with a like Chain pendant therefrom a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Motto: 'PER PERICULA AD DECUS IRE JUVAT' - Let it rejoice thee to set dangers at nought in the quest of honour.
Origin/meaning: The arms were officially granted on 8th May 1975.
The design follows very closely that of the former Borough of Scarborough, whose arms were based on the town's seal dating from the thirteenth century, and illustrate the town's historic and enduring features - its harbour and castle. The addition of a gold border represents the wider area of the new Borough. The lymphad and star, also from the ancient seal, are repeated in the crest and signify the strong seafaring tradition of the area, the sail being charged with an estoile of seven points to represent the seven former local authorities which were united to form the new borough. The stags represent the forests of Pickering, Galtres, and Knaresborough, the horn on one commemorating a Royal Hunt. The presence of the Yorkshire rose requires no explanation. Additions: 1974 Bridlington RDC (partly), Filey UDC, Scalby UDC, Scarborough RDC, Whitby RDC, Whitby UDC
Jewel Details:
- Past Mayors Jewel: HARRY DIXON MAYOR 1999-2000
- Honorary Alderman Jewel: MR. H. DIXON 2004
This page last updated 1 May 16