List of people from St Helens, Merseyside
The following is a list of people from St Helens, Merseyside in northern England, United Kingdom.
Notable families
Beechams
The Beecham dynasty is one of the most notable families to be associated with St. Helens. Thomas Beecham opened his first factory, in St. Helens, 16 years after launching, and producing, his products from a small premises in nearby Wigan.[1]
His son Joseph Beecham built up the business and promoted classical music in the town. Conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, son of Joseph, was born in St Helens.
Pilkingtons
The Pilkington dynasty is another notable family associated with St. Helens having founded the largest glass manufacturer in the United Kingdom as well as inventing the float glass process which was subsequently licensed for use by other glass manufacturers.
Authors
- Carole Matthews, Author of 33 bestselling books.
- Una McCormack, Best-selling science fiction author and lecturer in creative writing.
Entertainment
- Bernie Clifton, comedian and entertainer
- Tim Follin, video game music composer
- George Groves is credited with being Hollywood's first "sound man", as he was the recording engineer on the seminal Al Jolson picture, The Jazz Singer (1927), as well as many other early talkies
- Stephen Lawson (StephenTries), YouTuber and Comedian
- Michael Parr, actor
- Emma Rigby, actress
- Johnny Vegas, actor, comedian and presenter
- David Yates, feature film director who is credited with the final four Harry Potter films, was raised in Rainhill (a village in the Borough of St Helens)
Singers and musicians
- Jacqueline Abbott, singer with The Beautiful South
- Peter Edward Clarke, (better known by his stage name "Budgie", a well known drummer with, among others, The Slits, Siouxsie and The Banshees and The Creatures);
- Jeffrey Walker, bassist and lead vocalist of Carcass
- The Lancashire Hotpots, comedy folk band
Politics
- Richard Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, from St. Helens, the country's longest-serving Prime Minister to date, holding the office from 1893 until 1906.
- James Sexton, Member of Parliament for St Helens from 1918 to 1931
Other
- Ann Barnes former police commissioner for Kent
- David Bernstein former chairman of The Football Association
- John William Draper scientist in the field of photochemistry, chemistry and other sciences.
- John Rylands, the Victorian philanthropist, forming and building the Ryland & Son textile manufacturing empire in nearby Wigan.
- James Waterworth, English Catholic missionary priest.
Sport
Rugby league
St Helens is particularly known for producing many professional rugby league players, many have played for St. Helens.
- Lee Briers, has represented Great Britain and Wales
- Keiron Cunningham, has represented Great Britain and Wales
- Eric Fraser, has represented Great Britain
- Steve Ganson, referee
- Kurt Haggerty, has represented Ireland
- Alan Hardman
- Dave Hull
- Les Jones
- Tim Jonkers
- Frank Lee
- Scott Moore
- Alex Murphy
- James Roby
- Adam Swift
- Luke Thompson
- Paul Wellens
Football
- Bill Foulkes, full-back for Manchester United between 1952 and 1970 and was a survivor of the Munich air disaster in 1958.[2]
- Conor Coady
- Chris Foy, referee
- Kellie-Ann Leyland
- Tommy Lucas, Liverpool F.C. and England international
- Bill Luckett
- Lily Parr
Motor sport
- Geoff Duke, multiple Isle of Man TT winner and motorcycle Grand Prix road racing world champion
- Colin Hardman, sidecar racer. Winner of the 1989 Isle of Man TT Sidecar Race 'A'
- Andy Middlehurst
- Richie Worrall, professional speedway rider
- Steve Worrall, professional speedway rider
Darts
- Stephen Bunting, professional darts player
- Dave Chisnall, professional darts player
- Michael Smith, professional darts player
- Alan Tabern, professional darts player
Cricket
- Keith Harris, List A cricketer
- David Russell, first-class and List A cricketer
- Ken Shuttleworth, cricketer who has represented England
Other
- Ian Gregson, Canadian paralympian
- Dan Highcock, wheelchair basketball player
- Martin Murray, Boxer
References
- ""Best for me, best for you" - a history of Beecham's Pills 1842–1998" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- Kilmurray, Andrew, ed. (6 February 2008). "Busby Babe Bill Foulkes joins Munich tribute". St Helens Star. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
External link
Media related to People of St Helens, Merseyside at Wikimedia Commons