Death of Torridge businessman
TORRIDGE holiday park proprietor and caravan distributor John Taylor has died at the age of 78. A quiet funeral service took place on Friday, attended by family and friends. Born in Appledore, John was trained as a mechanic and did his National Service i
TORRIDGE holiday park proprietor and caravan distributor John Taylor has died at the age of 78.
A quiet funeral service took place on Friday, attended by family and friends.
Born in Appledore, John was trained as a mechanic and did his National Service in Germany and Jamaica with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
On demob he returned to Elliott's Garage in Bideford as a mechanic, but involvement in the family campsite business and sheep farming soon became his full time role.
You may also want to watch:
He ran the Taylor's Western campsite in Westward Ho! - now Beachside Holiday Park. Then, with other family members, he changed direction by buying static caravans for letting and developed the Surf Bay Holiday Park.
John and son Michael later started supplying caravans to other park owners and developed the Surf Bay Leisure dealership, which grew rapidly and moved to Winkleigh, where the company head offices are still based.
Most Read
- 1 Covid vaccine: Roll out continues but is North Devon being left out?
- 2 Plans to merge North Devon and Exeter health trusts move forward
- 3 Barnstaple man attacked his wife and neighbour after Christmas drink
- 4 Barnstaple man cleared of drug dealing charges
- 5 Devon's Tiki surf brand is up for sale
- 6 Covid delays Barnstaple councillor's trial again
- 7 Barnstaple man’s 5k-a-day challenge for children’s hospice
- 8 Camp out fundraiser Max receives gift from fallen soldier's family
- 9 Three more Covid deaths at North Devon District Hospital but cases are falling
- 10 Man charged with murder of Northam pensioner
The business has become one of the largest caravan holiday home distributors in the UK.
John was an active member of Bideford Lions' Club for many years, especially during the period of raising funds for Northam Lodge residential home for the disabled.
He had been fighting cancer for eight years, but never accepted the word "retired" and despite his illness continued to work and contribute to the company until a few months ago.
John leaves his wife Sylvia, children Lyn, Julie and Michael, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.