Julian Fane (b1938) JULIAN Francis Fane is the son of Francis and Joyce Fane. He married Mary Julia Allday, daughter of Michael William Allday, in1965. Educated at Marlborough College, Marlborough, he graduated from Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, in 1966 with a Master of Arts (MA). He was a magistrate for the Sleaford division for […]
Wise, Jeff – Jeff’s was strictly ballroom
Hornsby, James – Man who made engines was a leading horseman
James Hornsby (1835 -1910) JAMES Hornsby was the second son of industrialist Richard Hornsby, the founder of Richard Hornsby and Sons, Grantham, one of the largest agricultural and general engineering works in the world. At the end of his scholastic education he showed considerable inventive ability, and he passed through the various departments at the […]
McCorquodale, Lady Sarah – Sister of the People’s Princess
Lady Sarah McCorquodale (b1955) LADY Sarah McCorquodale is the older sister of Diana, Princess of Wales. Born The Honourable Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer, she acquired the courtesy title in 1975, when her grandfather died and her father became the 8th Earl Spencer. She was educated firstly at Riddlesworth Hall School, in Norfolk, then West Heath […]
Chantry, Paul – St Hugh’s pupil is laud of the dance
Paul Chantry (b1983) PAUL Chantry is not a conventional ballet dancer. In his late teens, on an acting course, he was inspired by a demonstration by a dance company and the big bit him immediately. He grew up on Cambridge Street, and now lives just outside the town centre. Paul went to Little Gonerby School, […]
Dale, Jesse – The man who couldn’t leave Grantham quickly enough
Jesse Dale (1840 – ) JESSE Dale was the man responsible for Grantham getting a new Guildhall in 1868. But he wasn’t a politician, or even an architect. He was a professional pick-pocket. Born in Nottingham, Jesse came to Grantham Market in 1864 and was caught robbing Mr Latter, of Great Gonerby, of a purse […]
Hall, Tim – Rocking the housing market
Tim Hall (1968- ) BORN in Nottingham, Tim’s early years were spent in Sutton-on-Trent where he went to the Sutton-on-Trent primary school. He then went to Wellow House School before going to the Kings School in Grantham when the family moved to Long Bennington. His Grandma was a pianist in her own ragtime band, and […]
Hornsby, William – Top industrialist became town’s Mayor
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 […]