Florence Mary Andrews
Mayor of Oxford 1950–1
Mrs Florence Mary Andrews (1923–1998) was born in Weirs Lane, one of six sisters.
Florence married her childhood sweetheart Albert Andrews, who was a boatbuilder at Salter’s boatyard, and they had two children, Rodney and Julie.
Mrs Andrews was a lifelong member of the Conservative Party, and was President of the South Oxford Conservative Association up to her death. She was elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1950/1) at a remarkably young age, and was a founder member of the Oxford-Bonn twinning link, organizing and taking part in exchange trips.
When her husband was appointed University Waterman in 1952, the couple moved with their two children into the University Boathouse on the Thames. For the next 35 years Albert was responsible for the well-being of Oxford boat crews, while Florence, who was a trained seampstress, embroidered a small flag with “OUBC” to be tied to the bow of every Oxford Blue boat. She also ran bars and organized teas for Torpids and summer Eights, and was known as “Mother” to generations of Oxford crews.
She died at the age of 75 in 1998.
See also:
- Oxford Mail, 17 October 1998, p. 13
- Oxford Times, 23 October 1998, p. 2