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, what was to become the world's largest pharmaceutical producer, Beechams, 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 revolutionary float glass process which was subsequently licensed for use by other glass manufacturers.
Sir Alastair Pilkington, inventor with Kenneth Bickerstaff of the float glass process, was not however a member of that family.
Entertainment
- Carole Matthews, Author of 25 bestselling books.
- 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.
- Bernie Clifton, comedian and entertainer.
- Emma Rigby actress
- Tim Follin video game music composer
- Johnny Vegas, actor, comedian and presenter.
- David Yates, a 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
Politics
- Richard Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, was from St. Helens. He is 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
- John Rylands, the Victorian philanthropist, forming and building the Ryland & Son textile manufacturing empire in nearby Wigan.
- John William Draper scientist in the field of photochemistry, chemistry and other sciences.
- David Bernstein former chairman of The Football Association
- Ann Barnes former police commissioner for Kent
Sport
Rugby league
St Helens is particularly known for producing many professional rugby league players, many have played for St Helens RFC.
- Liam Carberry
- Eric Fraser has represented Great Britain
- Kurt Haggerty has represented Ireland
- Dave Hull
- Les Jones
- Tim Jonkers
- Frank Lee
- Scott Moore
- Adam Swift
- Luke Thompson (rugby league)
- Steve Ganson referee
Football
- Bill Luckett
- Lily Parr
- Bill Foulkes, full-back for Manchester United between 1952 and 1970 and was a survivor of the Munich air disaster in 1958.[2]
- Kellie-Ann Leyland
Other
- Keith Harris cricketer
- Ken Shuttleworth cricketer who has represented England
- Ian Gregson Canadian paralympian
- Dave Chisnall professional darts player
- Michael Smith professional darts player
- Stephen Bunting professional darts player
- Alan Tabern professional darts player
- Steve Worrall professional speedway rider. He is the twin brother of Richie Worrall, also a speedway rider.
- Richie Worrall professional speedway rider
References
- ↑ ""Best for me, best for you" - a history of Beecham's Pills 1842–1998" (PDF).
- ↑ Kilmurray, Andrew, ed. (6 February 2008). "Busby Babe Bill Foulkes joins Munich tribute". St Helens Star. Retrieved 28 November 2015.