Funeral date for co-founder of Ruskington fish and chip restaurant business

Freda Tweedale (née Smith) passed away on Monday October 24.

Her funeral will take place at 1.30pm on Monday November 14 at All Saints’ Church, Ruskington, with a cremation at Lincoln Crematorium at 2.30pm.

The Tweedale family has requested family flowers only and for any donations to be made to Parkinson’s UK.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Phillips Funeral Service of Ruskington.

Born in Ripponden, Freda grew up in the village and nearby Halifax.

She was married to David Tweedale in 1959 at Thornfield Methodist Church in Greetland.

Freda is described as an integral part of the Elite and started the company with her husband in 1972. After beginning in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the family firm subsequently moved to Lincolnshire, expanded to three restaurants and four takeaways and is now overseen by Freda’s son Adrian, his wife Donna and Freda’s granddaughter Rachel.

Freda is survived by her husband David, three sons Adrian, Simon and Stuart, grandchildren David, Stephen, Daniel, Amy, Mark, Rachel, Lauren, Georgia and Charley and her two great grandchildren Dexter and Florence.

Freda greatly enjoyed dancing with her husband David, taking part in competitions in ballroom, Latin and rock and roll styles across the country.

Son Adrian said: “My mother was an inspiration and was an incredibly dedicated woman. We wouldn’t be where we are today as a company without her hard work.

“She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike as well as those who got to know her through the trade and her work with the National Federation of Fish Friers.”

Granddaughter Rachel said: “My grandmother was always front of house in our restaurants, talking to customers and getting to know the people in our local community. She set the standard for what we try to achieve in terms of customer service, always going above and beyond.”

Former Ruskington parish council chairman Coun Peter Cunningham said it was very sad to hear of Mrs Tweedale’s death.

He remembers when the family won a national competition with their Ruskington restaurant and said: “Mrs tweedale was very encouraging of what we were trying to do on the parish council, to improve the lot of residents. She was very supportive of village life as a businesswoman.”