On this day in Wembury — 17 May 1948
The Western Morning News reported the wedding of Major Cedric B. L. Ford, R.N., and Miss Elizabeth A. Ryman at St Werburgh’s Church, Wembury, a ceremony attended by family, naval colleagues, and friends from across Devon. The bride was given away by her father, and the four bridesmaids — all in pastel gowns — carried spring flowers gathered from local gardens. The report described a “bright and happy occasion,” reflecting the post-war optimism of the late 1940s when so many servicemen were returning to normal life.
Weddings at St Werburgh’s Church have long been part of Wembury’s rhythm of community life. Perched above the cliffs with sweeping views across the bay and the Mewstone, the church is one of the most romantic coastal settings in Devon. Couples from across the region have chosen it for generations, drawn by its history, beauty, and the sense of continuity it represents.
By 1948, Wembury had become particularly popular for naval weddings — the proximity to Devonport and the village’s tranquil setting made it an ideal retreat from the bustle of Plymouth. Photographs from the period often show smiling newlyweds stepping out of the lychgate beneath the stone tower, the sea glittering behind them. For the Fords and many others, Wembury offered not just a venue but a lasting memory — the sound of bells mingling with gulls and waves on the shore below.
(Western Morning News, 17 May 1948)