This site is a tribute to Heather Buckpitt. She is much loved and will always be remembered.

Born on the 13th August 1940 in Torquay and the first child of Alan and Beryl Wood.  Heather lived with her parents and siblings Jill and Alan in Lisburne Square and attended Illsham Primary School.  The family then moved to a council house in West Pafford Avenue, where unbeknownst to her, Heather was to canvass for a place on the council many years later.

Her father, Alan, a skilled draftsman, was conscripted into the Royal Air Force to fight in the war.  He was off the coast of Belgium when his ship struck a mine and was lost.  The loss of her father weighed heavily on Heather throughout her life.  Having been widowed at such a young age, Beryl relied on Heather’s help, especially when the twins Peter and Wendy arrived.  Beryl would go on to marry Winston, whom the family adored.

On passing her 11-plus, Heather went to Torquay Girls’ Grammar School.  Whilst at school, Heather attended evening classes and trained as a shorthand typist.  She left school on Friday and started work in the typing pool of Renwick, Wilton and Dobson in Torquay’s Fleet Street the following Monday.  Upon noticing her skill, the chairman promoted Heather to become his personal secretary.  Her next job was as the personal secretary to the managing director of the Electricity Board in Union Street.

While at a dance, helping her parents cater for the event, Heather met David Buckpitt.  Heather was fifteen, and David was eighteen.  Heather was allowed one dance at the end of the evening and was chosen by David.  He offered to walk her home but received a very quick “no” from Heather’s parents, so the next day, Heather and David met for a walk and agreed that David could write to her as he was returning to sea.

After a courtship of over seven years, they finally married in Torre Church on 4th April 1962 and went on to have their daughter Kim followed by son Michael.  After Kim arrived, Heather gave up her secretarial job.  Subsequently, when she and David owned the Piccolo Cafe in the early years, she remained home to bring up the children.

Heather’s family say she was so hardworking and so organised.  She loved flowers, had a natural eye for outfits (especially hats) and was interested in interior design. She was brilliant at sewing, could make or alter anything, and made many hotel curtains over the years. 

David and Heather purchased the Regency Restaurant, and Heather started to spend more time working.  Once they sold the Regency, they went on to buy the Chelston Manor Hotel.  Heather’s happiest times in business were those spent at the Chelston Manor. 

During their time at the Chelston Manor, Heather and David became parents to their foster son David, who has remained an important part of their lives.  

Next in their business life came the Regina Hotel, followed by the Queen’s Hotel and Torquay Travel.  Again, Heather and David were a formidable team, with Heather’s organisation skills and eye for detail playing a significant role in their achievements.

Heather would have told you that running a successful business is not solely down to those in charge.  Their staff played a massive role in their success.  Hundreds of people have worked for them over the years, and you would struggle to find anyone with a bad word to say about “Mrs B”.

Even though Heather was Torquay through and through, it took some persuasion for her to put herself forward to stand as a councillor.  She was well-liked and a good and hardworking councillor and became the chairman of Social Services.  Although she stood as a Conservative, Heather was not political and aimed to represent the town and make Torquay a better place.

After many years as a councillor, Heather was made Mayor of Torbay in 2002, “the girl from West Pafford Avenue was Mayor”, as Heather would say.  Although her year in office had many highlights, from being presented to the Queen on several occasions to travelling the world representing Torbay, in Heather’s mind, her outstanding achievement was being instrumental in adding the names of the war heroes, including her late father, to the Cenotaph on Torquay Seafront.  

While appearing as a natural public figure and conducting herself with grace and charm, Heather never sought the limelight and was always most comfortable mixing with local people at local events.  

In later life, Heather was to battle with dementia, a cruel disease that saw her slowly decline.  David remained by her side throughout and nursed her day and night, even through the difficult days of covid, often coping on his own and never complaining.  As Heather battled on, even in the darkest of times, there were still moments of joy and happiness, and this was in no small part thanks to the endless love and care of Tracey and Anca, who gave supportive 24-hour care and are quite simply angels.

Heather was a kind and loving mother who always put everyone else before herself.  She also extended this caring nature to her grandchildren, Eddy, Lola, Darcy and Ben.  Heather has lived a full and wonderful life and will be missed by her loving family and the people of Torbay and those now farther afield whose lives she touched.