Gloucester People & Places

People past and present
- Gloucester People
- People associated with Gloucester
Places
- Places within Gloucester, or in the surrounding area but worth a visit.

People

People of interest - actors, personalities, historical types.

Know anyone we should include? Do tell.

Current - people who are of note in their field, or important locally.
Historical - anyone, be they a page or footnote in history*.

*They might still be alive, but historical in terms of their contribution. For example a sports person will move to Historical when they are retired from their sport, not when they die.

Arts

People from the Arts with a strong Gloucester connection.

Peter Wyton (Poet of Page and Performance)

Collections (that we know of):-

Not All Men Are from Mars

Peter Wyton - Not All Men Are From Mars

At time of writing sales page is live. If it has gone, (and it's probably a limited print run), google the title.

Not All Men Are From Mars is a compilation of poems by Poet Laureate, Peter Wyton.

The collection contains poems centred around women including a range of themes from violence and discrimination to individual women of historical importance. The poems offer a searingly honest look at violence and abuse balanced by a humorous analysis of femaleness.

'Not all men Are From Mars' is perfect bound and has a cover specially designed by Juliette Percival. The women in this 55 poem collection, some real, some fictional, range from a Holy Roman Empress to a native American princess and include a lollipop lady, a stilt walker, a waitress and many more. Even Madame La Guillotine gets a mention, as does Peter's daughter who was asked to leave a pub [for knitting] and his wife who is exposed on a hillside.

£5 from the sale of each book will be given to Women's Aid to help continue their work to end violence against women and girls.

www.obergine.com/notallmenarefrommars/

Simon Pegg (Actor/Director)

The great actor - writer - director hails from Brockworth.

His oeuvre shows his roots as it displays a distinctly Brockworthian sense of humour, a form of wild, yet controlled subversion of traditional genres, in the same way that that other great Brockworth tradition - the Cheese Roll - takes displays of athletic prowess on the playing field and subverts it by making it an almost vertical descent, best undertaken on cider. All done with the straightest of possible faces.

http://www.peggster.net/ (I think this is a fan site, but seems great).

William Moseley (Actor)

I’m glad to see that everyone is discovering this new talented brit William Moseley. Ever since I saw the Chronicles of Narnia movie I have been really intrigued by this fresh new face we have here. His acting is superb and I am looking forward to seeing him in his upcoming movie, Prince Caspian, returning as Peter Pevensie.
William Peter Moseley was born April 27, 1987, in Gloucester, England. He is the oldest of the family, with a younger brother named Ben and a younger sister named Daisy. Will completed Year 13 last year in 2006 (with A Levels in Media Studies, English and Drama). February of 2007 he started filming Prince Caspian due to be out in 2008. I can’t wait that long though-I’m too anxious!
Ever since he was 10 years old, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He was cast as an extra in the film Cider with Rosie and had a small role in Goodbye, Mr. Chips. But his hard work and determination paid off once he landed the role as Peter Pevensie in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Photo of him in Chronicles of Narnia.

Ah isn’t he cute!?

Text and pics supplied by WM fan Erin http://www.myspace.com/ditzyme3109

If WM reads this, we'd really like to interview you when you are back in town.

Champions

Gloucester Champions

This is for people who don't fit any of the other categories, but deserve recognition.

We'd love to list people doing good work, scientists, community leaders, leaders in their field (eg great chefs), religious leaders, leading policemen/women, local or national campaigners etc.

Chris Witts

Chris Witts

Expert on the River Severn and it's history.

He sailed the Severn on barges for many years, and now writes widely on the subject.

www.severntales.co.uk

The Bishop of Gloucester

The Bishop of Gloucester

Included because of his position, and currently the Right Revd Michael Perham.

http://www.glosdioc.org.uk/Departments/BishopGloucester/BishopMichael_Ho...

Sports

Sports people with a strong Gloucester connection.

You might wonder at the lack of Rugby, Cricket etc. Hint - the Likal needs a Sports Editor. No money, lots of kudos , and (when we get known), maybe some good seats and interview opportunities.

This is an opportunity for a secondary School. Could allow pupils a great chance to use practice their editing, interviewing and media skills in anger...

Beth Rodford

Team GB Rower

http://www.bosonmedia.co.uk/ara/gbrowing/biographies/index.php?Action=2&...

Kate Foster (Olympic Snowboard)

Kate Foster

Gloucester based Olympic Snowboarder.

Anyone has more info, that would be good.

Natasha Page - Rowing

Natasha Page

Team GB Rower.

http://www.bosonmedia.co.uk/ara/gbrowing/biographies/index.php?Action=2&...

Zoe Derham

Zoe Derham

GB Women's Team Hammer Thrower. (As of June 2007)

This needs to be expanded

Historical Figures

Important people from history.

Beatrice Webb - Early Socialist

Beatrice Webb - Early Socialist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Webb

Capel Bond

Capel Bond (1730 - 1790) was an organist and composer.

Charles Wheatstone - Scientist (1802-1875)

Charles Wheatstone - Scientist (1802-1875)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wheatstone

George Whitefield (1714-1770) - the True Founder of Methodism

George Whitefield - the True Founder of Methodism

Home grown religious leader, and apparently the true founder of Methodism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Whitefield

Henry Dene (c1430-1503)

Henry Dene

Archbishop of Canterbury.

Built St Mary De Crypt in it's current form.

Want to extend this page? Contact us.

Ivor Gurney

Gloucester classical composer and poet. 1890-1937.

Audio by Ian Partridge,Tenor and taken from Ivor Gurney - Author, Composer, Soldier-of-a-sort

The Silent One

Who died on the wires, and hung there, one of two -
Who for his hours of life had chattered through
Infinite lovely chatter of Bucks accent:
Yet faced unbroken wires; stepped over, and went
A noble fool, faithful to his stripes - and ended.
But I weak, hungry, and willing only for the chance
Of line - to fight in the line, lay down under unbroken
Wires, and saw the flashes and kept unshaken,
Till the politest voice - a finicking accent, said:
‘Do you think you might crawl through there: there's a hole.'
Darkness, shot at: I smiled, as politely replied -
‘I'm afraid not, Sir.' There was no hole no way to be seen
Nothing but chance of death, after tearing of clothes.
Kept flat, and watched the darkness, hearing bullets whizzing -
And thought of music - and swore deep heart's oaths
(Polite to God) and retreated and came on again,
Again retreated - a second time faced the screen.

More of his WW1 poems (from the 120 war Poems site)

To England - A Note
To His Love

Ivor Gurney has a window dedicated to him in St Mary de Lode Church, and his headstone is in Twigworth Church.

Wikkipedia page
Ivor Gurney Society

EVENT - Ivor Gurney conference in September 2007

We would be interested in doing a feature on Ivor Gurney. If you are organising, or know about, any events featuring Ivor Gurney's music or poetry, please let us know.

Ivor Gurney - Slow Movement for Violin and Piano

The world premiere of the Slow Movement for Violin and Piano of 1924, performed by Chamber Domaine at Gresham College, 26th September 2007.

The Target

I shot him,and it had to be
One of us "Twas him or me.
'Coulnt be helped' and none can blame
Me,for you would do the same

My mother, she cant sleep for fear
Of what might be a-happening here
To me. Perhaps it might be best
To die, and set her fears at rest

For worst is worst, and worry's done.
Perhaps he was the only son. . .
Yet God keeps still, and does not say
A word of guidance anyway.

Well, if they get me, first I'll find
That boy, and tell him all my mind,
And see who felt the bullet worst,
And his pardon,if I durst.

All's a tangle. Here's my job.
A man might rave, or shout, or sob;
And God He takes takes no sort of heed.
This is a bloody mess indeed

James "Jemmy" Wood (1756-1836) - inspiration for Dickens

James "Jemmy" Wood (1756-1836) - inspiration for Dickens

Banker famous for his meanness, wealth and eccentricity, and, when he died, said to be the richest commoner in the land, worth over £1,000,000, which would today be worth around THREE BILLION POUNDS* (Enough even for a flat in Cheltenham).

He left a Will that was unclear and provided a feeding trough for lawyers.

He is said to have been the model for Scrooge and the Bleak House court case. (The dates fit).

* www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/ taking GDP as we want to measure his status as a powerful man, not the price of bread.

John (d1529) and Joanne Cooke (d1545)

John and Joanne Cooke

Founder of Crypt School (1539).

The rent for the land was set at "one red rose", and this is still paid annually to the Rector of St Mary De Crypt.

John Biddle - "Father of English Unitarianism" (1615-1662)

John Biddle

Our very own founder of a global sect - Unitarians - a dangerous radical in his day. (He was sentanced to death but Cromwell spared him. Even so, he lost his job and spent time in prison and exile).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Biddle_%28Unitarian%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarianism

John Sanders - Organist and Composer (1933-2003)

John Sanders

John Stafford Smith

John Stafford Smith

Who would have guessed that a local boy wrote the American National Anthem!

To be precise - he wrote the tune that later had the words "The Star Spangled Banner" set to it by the American Francis Scott Key.

Oh! say, can you see,by the dawns early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last Gleamings
Whose broad Stripes and bright Stars,thro' the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
and the rockets red glare,the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does the star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stafford_Smith

Star Spangled Banner

A variety of renditions of the US National Anthem.

And what has this got to do with Gloucester? Your answer, it was a Gloucester man - John Stafford Smith - who wrote it, well the tune anyway. A Yank wrote the words some time later.

We should ask them for royalties....

Whitney Houston

Hendrix

Rachmaninoff (the man himself, from 1919!)

John Taylor "The Water Poet"

John Taylor - The Water Poet

The Water Poet pub - Eastgate St is named in his honour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_%28poet%29

Michael Hurd (1928-2006)

Composer and musician

Jonah-man Jazz

Jonah-man Jazz - written in 1966

Rooster Rag

Rooster Rag - Michael Hurd wrote a series of cantatas for children, this one in 1975

Richard (Dick) Whittington

Richard (Dick) Whittington

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Whittington

Robert Raikes (1736-1811) - Founder of the Sunday School Movement

Robert Raikes (1736-1811) - Founder of the Sunday School Movement

Originally the aim was to teach the children of the poor to read and write. They were not religious as such. (Back then children worked 6 days a week in factories etc. Think about that next time you whinge about homework or chores.

Not to be confused with his father - Robert Raikes who founded The Citizen, or his brother Thomas Raikes who became Governor of the Bank of England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Raikes

Robert Raikes - Founder of The Citizen (1690-1757)

Robert Raikes - Founder of The Citizen (1690-1757)

Founded The Citizen.

Sons included Robert Raikes who founded Sunday Schools and Thomas Raikes who became Governor of the Bank of England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Raikes_the_Elder

Thomas Raikes - Governor of the Bank of England. (1741-1813)

Thomas Raikes - Governor of the Bank of England. (1741-1813)

Brother of Robert Raikes (of Sunday School fame) and son of Robert Raikes (founder of The Citizen).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Raikes

Places

Places of Interest

Within Gloucester this can include places to visit, information about important buildings or landmarks.

Outside Gloucester it tends to be restricted to places worth an actual visit.

Antiques Centre

Gloucester Antiques Centre

www.gacl.co.uk

Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

One of the most splendid medieval buildings in the world.

www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Harry Potter Filming

Harry Potter filming in Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral is used as Hogwarts. Each film involves hundreds of Kings School pupils as extras.

If anyone wants to add to this, has some good stories etc, post a comment.

Links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2003/08/potter_more_info.shtml

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/2/8/filming-continues-at-gloucester-cathedral

Folk Museum

Gloucester Folk Museum

www.gloucester.gov.uk/folkmuseum

Guildhall

Gloucester Guildhall

Gloucester's leading arts and performance space, with facilities ranging from small meeting rooms and cinema to the main space, capable of holding up to 650 (250 seated).

The Guildhall works with many partners. If you have an idea for an event or activity, contact us. You can also hire facilities at commercial rates.

http://www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Jet Age Museum

http://www.jetagemuseum.org/

Museum and Art Gallery

Gloucester City and Art Gallery

Well worth a visit, lots of history, and dinosaurs (from around here!) My six year old even liked some of the art.

www.gloucester.gov.uk/citymuseum

National Waterways Museum

National Waterways Museum - www.nwm.org.uk

The best of it's type in the whole UK. Everyone should go every few years. Great for kids.

Nature in Art

Nature in Art - www.nature-in-art.org.uk

One of the top art galleries in the world, specialising in "art inspired by nature". If you know what you like, you'll love this stuff. It's "proper art" ranging from the Old Masters to modern dynamic interpretations, in all media from painting, to cermaics, to carvings, to sculpture, and fabric work.