Councillor Cyril Marsburg served his ‘beloved town’ for almost three decades
Cllr Cyril Marsburg as the fictional Mayor of Walmington-on-Sea, in Dad’s Army, left, and as the real Mayor of Bridlington in 2012(Image: Simon Kench/Hull Daily Mail archive)
Tributes have been paid to a long-serving Bridlington councillor following his death earlier this week, at the age of 89. In a post on social media, Bridlington Town Council extolled Cllr Cyril Marsburg’s “tireless” work, not only for the authority, but also in life away from local government.
One of Cllr Marsburg’s claims to fame was when movie-makers came knocking ten years ago. He was cast as the Mayor of Walmington-on-Sea in the 2016 film version of the iconic BBC TV sitcom, which starred Catherine Zeta-Jones as a German spy and Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring.
Other luminaries seen in Bridlington’s Old Town – which depicted the high street of 1944 Walmington-on-Sea – and further afield at Flamborough Head, North Landing and at Beverley, were Bill Nighy, Tom Courtenay, Bill Paterson, Michael Gambon, Blake Harrison and Daniel Mays. The town council tribute said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Councillor Cyril Marsburg, 3 times past Mayor of Bridlington.
“Councillor Cyril passed away on Monday the 20th of July 2026. Serving his beloved town of Bridlington for almost 3 decades, he served as the Mayor of Bridlington for 2009-10, 2011-12 and 2017-18 and in 2016 had the honour of playing the Mayor of Walmington-on-Sea in the Dad’s Army film, a role which Cyril was very proud of.
“Cyril, who was born on the 11th June 1937, having recently turned 89 years of age, had dedicated his life to the wellbeing of Bridlington residents not just in his life as a Bridlington Town Councillor, but in his personal life where he worked tirelessly for those in drug rehabilitation and helped many people on the road to a better life. He loved nothing more than the companionship of his beautiful dog, Sally, and his family.
“We are all thinking of Shaun, Jackie, Linda, Nigel and all of Cyril’s family and friends at this sad time. Cyril was well respected for his endless dedication to the town and will be remembered by many for his honesty, wonderful sense of humour and ability to bring light into the darkest of days for those he supported at the Haven and all who knew him.
“All of the Councillors and staff here will miss him incredibly and thank him for simply being himself always.” The post was met with many messages of condolence, including one from Bridlington Ambassador Martyn Coltman, who said: “Very sad news. He was a real gentleman and so committed to Bridlington. Sincere condolences to his family.”
Another reply came from Bridlington’s former Town Crier David Hinde, who said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Cyril. He was responsible for bringing the Town Crier back to Bridlington in 2012, after a gap of 111 years and in the Golden Anniversary [year] of Elizabeth II, by appointing me.
“All the publicity we got for the town between us in those years and I was able to suggest to the Dad’s Army directors that Cyril should be included in the movie with me as Walmington-on-Sea Town Crier, when I led the Grand Parade, something he was very proud of too. Condolences and sending all my love to his family and friends. A fine man and a great loss to Bridlington.”
Others spoke of “one of the good guys”; a “top bloke” and a “lovely gentleman”.
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