Christine Bulmer dies, 88

THE death has occurred at her home in Breinton of Mrs Christine Bulmer the widow of a former chairman of the world-renowned cider company, writes LIZ WATKINS.

Mrs Bulmer, who has been described as a 'remarkable lady', was aged 88.

She had a life-long interest in the arts and crafts and in 1981 was awarded the MBE for her services in promoting them country-wide.

Born in America and educated in Cambridge, she married her husband Bertram in 1933.

He was the son of Fred Bulmer, one of the founders of the famous cider company and on their honeymoon the couple made a tour of America following the repeal of the prohibition laws to promote their product.

Bertram Bulmer served the family company for 60 years and was chairman for a long period.

Mrs Bulmer supported him throughout and in later years travelled with him all over the world as the company grew to become one of the leaders in the cider industry.

She was born in San Francisco in 1912 but lived in Mexico before coming to Cambridge with her mother and family when she was a young girl. Her schooldays were spent in Cambridge and she later studied art in Switzerland and Florence before returning to Newnham College, Cambridge where she read modern languages, French and Italian.

In 1961 with others she founded the Herefordshire Society of Craftsmen, of which she was secretary, and had opened a shop for them in Church Street, Hereford, within six months. She later opened two galleries in the street, including the Old Mayor’s Parlour.

Mrs Bulmer, who owned many properties in the street, was instrumental in setting up the Church Street Charitable Trust which aims to keep its character unchanged.

She remained active in the interests of arts and craft and has been on the committee of the World Craft Council and the Federation of British Craft Societies.

Mrs Bulmer was on the committee of Hereford Concert Society and a member of the Three Choirs Festival, Hereford Civic Trust and a trustee of the Cider Museum until 1997.

She was a great botanist and keen gardener, being a member of The National Trust, CPRE, The Nature Trust and the North Wales Naturalist Trust.

Mrs Bulmer, whose husband died seven years ago, is survived by her five children, Gillian, John, Giles, Nicholas and Richard, nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

The funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church at Credenhill on Saturday at lpm. Family flowers only are requested, but donations would be welcomed for The Woodland Trust to help create a new Millennium Wood at Breinton.