Famous Coventrians

Congratulations to one of our Famous Coventrians, Brian Matthew, who this morning celebrated the 25th anniversary of his presenting "Sounds of the Sixties"

Does this list include Margery Manners (1926-1997), a Coventry-born singer, active as an entertained from aged 8? Margery was never a major star, but she made a fabulous career doing "music hall" songs as a child in the 1930s, doing "variety" as an adult in the post-war years. And in theatrical terms , the annual Spring and Birthday shows at the Hippodrome/Coventry Theatre were fine examples of this largely dead entertainment tradition.

Good shout! She's now added to "our list" In researching her details, I found she was born on 18 March 1925 at 40 Lythalls Lane, Coventry She married (at least) twice, in 1947 to Joseph Waxman, and 1982 to Walter Gradner [that is NOT a spelling mistake!], where her maiden name was shown as "Harris" She died of cancer in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington on 27 April 1997

Interesting article about one of our Famous Coventrians, Pete Waterman (this could have been posted in a number of threads!)

HISTORY OF COVENTRY 1852 EMINENT NATIVES OF COVENTRY. Coventry has given birth to several persons of eminence in days gone by. Vincent of Coventry, who lived in the early part of the 13th century, was distinguished as being the first of the Franciscans who applied himself to academical studies. He was brought up at Cambridge, where he became a public professor, wrote an exposition of the mass, and other theological works. William Maklesfield was a native of Coventry. He was a celebrated scholar in his day, and was general of the order of Dominicans. John Bird was educated as a Carmelite at Oxford, and subsequently became head and last provincial of his order. His obsequiousness to Henry the 8th, by preaching against the Pope's primacy, obtained for him in succession the bishoprics of Bangor and Chester; but yielding further to the pursuit of personal interest and aggrandisement, he again became an instrument of the papacy in the reign of Queen Mary. John Grant was a native of Coventry, whom it is better to describe as notorious rather than celebrated. He was executed in London in 1606 as a conspirator, after having been tried for stealing horses from the stables of several gentlemen in this neighbourhood, for the purpose of carrying off the Princess Elizabeth, when on a visit to Lord Harrington's, at Coombe Abbey. Humphrey Wanley, the son of Nathaniel Wanley, Vicar of Trinity Church, and born about 1672, was distinguished as a scholar and antiquary, though in his youth he had been put to a mechanical trade. He was sent to St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, and afterwards appointed librarian to the Earl of Oxford. At the desire of Dr. Hicks he made a tour of England in search of Anglo-Saxon MSS., of which he prepared a catalogue. John Tipper the original publisher of the Ladies' Diary, which commenced in 1704, was also a native of Coventry, and master of the Bablake school.
I don't envisage these will be added to our list of "Famous Coventrians"

I'd like to nominate my cousin - Sandra Price. Until I was four years old, my parents lived in spare rooms at Sandra's parents' house in Crescent Avenue, Copsewood. Sandra used to take me to pre-school in Momus Boulevard. We grew up together, enjoyed watching each other's sporting successes, and could both be seen regularly at Brandon until I migrated to Australia (and even sometimes after that!). But that's not the reason for nominating her. The English Netball website says: Copsewood Diamond Netball Club, family and friends are all brimming with pride, following the news that Sandra Price has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for services to netball in Coventry. At 71, Sandra has volunteered more than 55 years to the sport, having joined Copsewood as a player at the age of 14. During her own playing time, Sandra competed at local, county and regional level as well as being selected for the 'Rest of the World' team to play against England. Sandra has also enjoyed a prolific coaching and umpiring career, officiating at county level as well helping develop an army of umpires in her role as an England Netball Umpire Tutor and Assessor. She has been an active coach throughout the county, working with both junior and senior players, as well as dedicating more of her time as County Manager and an England Senior Team Manager.

Don't know the definition of famous, but Robert Harvey, Architect was certainly a highly acclaimed Architect and considered by many to have designed some fine houses, including South Winds, latter used by Jaguar in their publicity to launch their new XJS. Robert Harvey, designed many houses in Coventry and Warwickshire and no other regional Architect of his time, has so many houses listed. Some of you may have heard of 114 Kenilworth Rd over the last 15 years, which was one of his designs, that was nearly demolished but saved by being listed after great pressure from many conservation/historic groups. I found the following paragraph on the internet: Robert Harvey was born in Coventry in 1919 and studied architecture at the Birmingham School of Art, the source of many modern architects in the inter-war period, and one which encouraged a strong interest in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright then and later. Harvey is the most distinguished of a small idiosyncratic group of Birmingham-trained architects who were fascinated by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright before it became fashionable. Harvey corresponded with Wright during the war. In 1950 he joined the office of J. Brian Cooper, whence he was given a day off work that year to hear Wright speak at the Architectural Association in London. After Cooper, he joined the office of Leonard Harper, the father of his student contemporary and friend Ross Harper, whose house in Solihull is already listed. In 1951 this practice amalgamated with that of F W B Yorke, father of the noted modernist architect F R S Yorke, and Harvey took over the latter's Stratford office, specialising in private houses while the Birmingham office handled the more commercial work. Harvey found it difficult to secure planning permission for many of his early houses, especially those around Ilmington in the northern Cotswolds. Ultimately, though, he designed over fifty houses, mainly in Warwickshire. He talked little about his work and remained a strongly private figure. Several buildings by Robert Harvey have now been designated, including No.114 Kenilworth Road, Coventry (Grade II); Harvey's own house, Stonecrop, Ilmington, Warwickshire (Grade II*) and Debden Hollow, Barford, Warwickshire (Grade II). No other strictly regional architect of the period has so many houses listed - an indication of his skill and the quality of his designs. I think his nephew is Robin Harvey (KHVIII) - mapper for the World Orienteering Championships 1977 and Harvey Maps - Johnny Walker probably could confirm this, if that is the case then I probably visited 114 Kenilworth Rd in the early 80s to pick something up.

I would like to nominate Geoff Thompson to be included in the list of 'Famous Coventrians'. He was a nightclub / pub doorman for many years in Coventry, including my old haunt, The Devon! He wrote an autobiography 'Watch My Back' about his early years and working the doors in Coventry. The book was adapted into a screenplay and filmed as a major motion picture. Geoff has written forty books and several works as a playwright and also a screenwriter. He has won numerous awards for his screenwriting efforts. He is also a black belt (8th degree) in Karate. Black belt (1st degree) Judo and black belt (1st degree) Akido. Whilst I appreciate that not everyone will approve of his early career, I feel he deserves to take his place as a 'Famous Coventrian'.

Cliff mentioned a while back about Socialist leader Colin Jordan. TBH I'd never heard of him but very interested and amazed to see this........ Pathe News No wonder the crowd kicked off! What happened to that Registry Office - appears to be on Little Park Street but I don't recognise the building as there now?

Whilst poking around in my attic I came across a Coventry Evening Telegraph supplement from May 1985 entitled "War's End. A look back to 40 years ago". Amongst many fascinating articles in the supplement, mention was made of Billy Monk's New Rhythm Band which was based in the City. Upon further investigation I learned that their tenor saxophonist, Johnnie Gray had moved on in 1942 to play with the Ted Heath Orchestra, and had subsequently had a very successful career as a band leader in his own right and session musician, playing on a number of albums such as Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and others including work with Nat King Cole, Matt Monro and Dusty Springfield. Born and brought up in Coventry, Johnnie Gray was educated at Bablake school. He started his musical career with the Coventry Hippodrome Orchestra and after being invalided out of the RAF during the Second World War, joined Billy Monk's band, which started him on a further national and international musical career that was to last well into the 1980's. Throughout his career he was described as being an extrovert personality with his trademark "handlebar" moustache, and he lived to the grand old age of 94, passing away in 2014. There are a number of YouTube posts featuring interviews and some of the music of this great Coventrian.

In the early '70's, we took some friends to look around the city centre on a Sunday morning. After viewing some tourist attractions we felt thirsty and went into the Old Windmill for an early lunchtime drink. Around fifteen minutes later, a musician appeared with a clarinet, then a violinist, then a one-legged bassist, a drummer, a trumpeter and, finally, a saxophonist back on a visit to Britain after a long time away (the very same Johnnie Gray). They gave us a fine hour's impromptu entertainment and then everyone dispersed and we went home to lunch. It was a memorable day.

Not sure if this man is qualified for this section, having been born in Milford Surrey. R E S Wyatt Educated at King Henry VIiiSchool Prewar Captain of England at Cricket Captain of Warwickshire. Captain of Worcestershire English Selector Played in the "Bodyline" tour of Australia

Bob Wyatt was an original selection in the 'Earned Coventrian Status' section of our 'Famous Coventrians' list

Just watching the World Seniors Snooker Championship, featuring Coventry-born Dominic Dale