William Hornsby (1838-1907) INDUSTRIALIST William Hornsby inherited his post with the family firm, Richard Hornsby & Sons but proved to be every bit as astute as his father. He also inherited his father’s poor health. Born on Christmas Day 1838, he was the third son the late Richard Hornsby, who in 1815 founded the business. […]
Grosset, Tom – The drummer you just can’t beat
Tom Grosset (b1990) GRANTHAM-born Tom Grosset is not only a drummer, but a very fast drummer. In fact he is officially the fastest in the world. Born in August 1990, Tom grew up in Denton, where he attended the village school. The family moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada in 1996. Tom started showing a […]
O’Connor, Rick – A founder of Radio Witham
Rick O’Connor (1958-2013) Richard John O’Connor was born in Grantham, the son of Jean O’Connor and the former cycle shop owner, Jack O’Connor. He was a member of Witham Wheelers cycling club until the age of 15, winning numerous trophies and breaking several time trial records. In 1973 he met his future wife, Gail, and they […]
Kidd, Timothy – St Anne’s vicar worked for universities
Timothy Kidd (1925-2011) THE Rev Timothy Kidd, born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Navy. Mr Kidd studied economics at Durham University and in 1953 married Mollie. He then became an ordained priest and moved to St Anne’s Church, Grantham, in 1956. In 1965 he moved to […]
Endley, Pop – A man for all seasons
Pop Endley (1934-2011) Peter Brian Endley (Pop) was Born at RAF Cranwell, the son of Harry and Hilda Endley. He was married to Edna for 54 years After leaving Caythorpe School, he worked at Currys in Grantham as an assistant. He completed his National Service in the Royal Air Force and spent the rest of […]
Boyce, Reginald – Village policeman went into local politics
Reginald Boyce (1922-2013) REGINALD Arthur Boyce was born on July 6, 1922 at Wood Walton, Huntingdonshire and he attended Huntingdon Grammar School. On leaving school he trained as an electrician. At the age of 18 he was called up and was posted to Norwich Castle, where he joined the Royal Norfolk Regiment. He later served […]
Gerrard-Wright, Maj-Gen – Helped Kenya become independent
Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright (1930-2012) Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright was a talented officer and natural leader who dealt with exacting postings in Kenya and Northern Ireland. Richard Eustace John Gerrard-Wright was born on May 9 1930 at Woolsthorpe-By-Belvoir Rectory, the son of the rector and chaplain to the Duke of Rutland. He was educated at Christ’s Hospital […]
Still, John – Credited with writing England’s first comedy
John Still (1543-1608) Grantham-born, after finishing his schooling at The King’s School, John Still became a student at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a BA in 1562, MA in 1565, and DD degree in 1575. In 1561 he became a fellow of his college and took holy orders. He was appointed in 1570 […]
Parker, Ian ‘Pugsy’ – He aired his views on air – and off!
Ian ‘Pugsy’ Parker (1955 – 2022) IAN William (Pugsy or Pugsly) Parker is one of those people whom everyone seems to know and fits the title of ‘well-known local character’. Brought up in Great Humby, he attended various schools including Ropsley, St Anne’s, Little Gonerby, National and the Boys Central before going to Trent Polytechnic. […]
Abbott, Anne – Diva taught many Grantham children
Anne Abbott (1931-2013) Miss (Elizabeth) Anne Abbott, who lived for many years in Gladstone Terrace, Grantham, with her partner Alan Hubbard, was born at Eaton. She attended Cairn Holt Kindergarten, in Melton Mowbray, and when the school closed at the outbreak of war, she went to the Grammar School a year early at the age […]
Mirehouse, John – Cemetery was full, so vicar posted baby’s body to Home Office
Rev John Mirehouse (1839-1910) THE Rev John Mirehouse was a controversial clergyman, even 60 after his death. When his adopted village Colsterworth wanted to name a road after him, by changing Woodlands Drive to Mirehouse Drive but residents felt houses wouldn’t sell with such an unfortunate name. The son of incumbent Rev William Squires Mirehouse, […]
Young, Colin – Grantham man hunts for bargains on TV show
Colin Young (b1967) COLIN is a well known face among lunchtime viewers, often being either the expert or the auctioneer in BBC’s Bargain Hunt. Indeed the show is frequently broadcast from his auction room on Old Wharf Road. Born at Peterborough General and brought up inThurlby, near Bourne, he still lives in the area. Colin […]
Manners, Lady Theresa – Life was rock ‘n’ roll for her ladyship
Lady Theresa Manners (b1962) Lady Helen Theresa Margaret Manners is the former lead singer of the short-lived 1980s British rock band The Business Connection, which was founded by the Marquess of Worcester. Born at Belvoir Castle, the daughter of the 10th Duke of Rutland, she went to London at 15, after a proper upbringing at […]
Percival, Arthur – Founder of Grantham Model Aircraft Society
Arthur Percival (1911-1979) ARTHUR Hosea Percival was the founding father of Grantham Model Aircraft Society. Later a life member, under his chairmanship the club grew to become the largest of its kind in the UK. He was also an active member of Grantham Angling Association. Born at Maxey, near Peterborough, he came to Grantham in […]
Watkins, William – designer of the Guildhall
William Watkins (1834-1936) WILLIAM Watkins was born in Worcestershire and was articled to architect Henry Day between 1854-59, then moved to Lincoln as assistant to Henry Goddard from 1860-64. He then opened his own practice in the city and one of his first commissions was design a Guildhall for Grantham. A century later, the president […]
Hanks, Horace – Malster was a war hero
Horace Hanks (1894- 1978 ) Cecil Charles Hanks, known as Horace, was born in Trunch, Norfolk, in 1895. In the First World War he joined the Army in August 1914 and was a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal after showing gallantry and devotion to duty and in […]
Rowlett, Wade – Liked to wade in with a mike
Wade Rowlett (1970 – 2023) ALTHOUGH born in Plymouth, Wade Rowlett has spent most of his life in the Grantham area. He grew up in Syston, was educated at Barkston & Syston primary school, then Kings School, Grantham 1981-1986 although wasn’t invited to join the 6th Form. Instead, he went on a part-time course at […]
Snell, John – Don’t blame John, he was part of the union
John Snell (1896-1985) JOHN Edward Snell was an active worker for both the local Labour Party and local trade unionism. A native of Great Gonerby, at one time he was a choirmaster at St Sebastian’s Church. A millwright by trade, he worked for most of his life at Ruston & Hornsby, Grantham, although during the […]
Pykett, Joyce – Deputy head of Grantham school
Joyce Pykett (1921-1979) GRANTHAM born, Joyce Pykett became deputy headteacher at St Hugh’s School. Educated at Brownlow Infants, National and KGGS, she trained to become a teacher at Sheffield. After a spell working in Nottingham, during the Second World War, she returned home to teach at the Girls Central School and Springfield Secondary before moving […]
Mallinson, Pete – There’s Something Nasty in the Woodshed
Pete Mallinson (b1956) BORN at Hill View, Grantham, Peter Mallinson was the son of Wilfred and Joyce had recently moved to Grantham where his father was the Mayor’s officer and caretaker at the Guildhall, This proved to be a great playground for a young child, especially since there was a piano in the ballroom where […]