List of people from Calderdale explained

This is a list of people from Calderdale, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. This list includes people who pre-date the creation of Calderdale, from the towns of Brighouse, Elland, Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, and the smaller villages that make up the borough. This list is arranged alphabetically by surname:

Table of contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

• Dicken Ashworth, Todmorden-born actor^[1]

B

• Tom Bailey (born 1954), singer, songwriter, composer and musician for the band The Thompson Twins was born in Halifax.^[2]
• Christopher Paul Baker (born 1955), award-winning travel writer, photographer, and adventure motorcyclist from Brighouse; currently living in Palm Springs, California
• Paul Barker (writer) (1935–2019), journalist and writer, grew up in Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge^[3]
• Antony Booth (1931–2017), actor and father of Cherie Blair; married to Stephanie Booth, a politician local to Calderdale; lived in Todmorden^[4]
• John Burnett (1935–2022), rugby league player, born in Halifax^[5]

C

• Anita Carey (1948–2023), actress, born in Halifax and raised in Brighouse^[6]
• Chipps Chippendale (born 1968), mountain biking journalist from Todmorden^[7]
• Keith Clifford (born 1938), actor, born in Halifax^[8]
• Dario Coates (born 1992), actor from Hebden Bridge^[9]
• John Cockcroft (1897–1967), Todmorden-born scientist who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1951^{[10] [11]}
• Hannah Cockroft (born 1992), wheelchair racer, born in Halifax^[12]
• Neil Cowie (born 1967), Rugby League player for Wigan, Wales and Great Britain from Todmorden^[13]
• Brian Crabtree, wrestler and referee from Halifax^[14]
• Max Crabtree (1933–2023), wrestler and promoter, born in Halifax^[15]
• Shirley Crabtree (1930–1997), wrestler, born in Halifax^[16]
• Charles Crossland (1844–1916), mycologist, born in Halifax^[17]
• Roy Crossley (1923–2003), footballer, born in Hebden Bridge^[18]
• Russell Crossley (1927–2018), English footballer, born in Hebden Bridge^[19]

D

• Divina de Campo, a British drag queen and singer best known for appearing on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, born in Brighouse^[20]
• James Draper (settler) (–1694), colonial Massachusetts settler, born in Heptonstall^[21]
• Joe Duttine (born 1970), actor, born in Halifax.^[22]

E

• Avril Elgar (1932–2021), actress, born in Halifax.^[23]
• Keith Emerson (1944–2016), pianist, founder and member of The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, born in Todmorden^[24]

F

• Jonathan Fairbanks (1594–1668), colonist from Heptonstall^[25]
• Oliver Farnworth (born 1982), actor from Hebden Bridge^[26]
• Kenneth Fiddling (1917–1992), English cricketer born in Hebden Bridge^[27]
• John Fielden (1784–1849), land and factory owner in Todmorden; Member of Parliament; national leader of the Ten Hours Campaign for factory reform; scion of the Fielden family^[28]
• Samuel Fielden, (1847–1922), socialist, anarchist, lay pastor and labour activist who was one of eight convicted in the 1886 Haymarket bombing in Chicago. Born in Todmorden.
• Adam Fogerty (born 1969), actor, boxer, and rugby league player, born in Halifax^[29]
• John Foster (1770–1843), English Baptist minister and essayist born in Halifax^[30]

H

• Jessica Harris (born 1981), actress from Hebden Bridge^[31]
• Eric Harrison (1938–2019), Mytholmroyd-born football coach for the Manchester United youth team during the reign of Alex Ferguson^[32]
• John Helliwell (born 1945), Todmorden-born musician of the band Supertramp^[33]
• Dale Hibbert, original bass player with The Smiths and author, born in Todmorden^[34]
• Ursula Holden-Gill (born 1974), TV actress (Emmerdale, Holby City, Teachers, The Bill)^[35]
• William Holt (1897–1977), Todmorden-born writer, painter, political activist, journalist and traveller^[36]
• Ted Hughes (1930–1998), Poet Laureate, born in Mytholmroyd^[37]
• Neil Hurst (born 1982), actor and comedian from Halifax^[38]

I

• Barrie Ingham (1932–2023), actor, born in Halifax^[39]
• Bernard Ingham (1932–2023), journalist and civil servant, born in Halifax^[40]
• Innes Ireland (1930–1993), Formula One racing driver (1960s and 1970s), born in Mytholmroyd^[41]

J

• Jollyboat, musical comedy double-act, of Todmorden brothers Tommy and Ed Croft^[42]
• Wilfred Judson (1902–1980), former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, born in Todmorden^[43]

K

• Jason Kay, singer from the band Jamiroquai, owns a 'country retreat' (actually a small terraced house) in Todmorden
• John Kettley (born 1952), BBC weatherman, from Todmorden^[44]
• Julie Kirkbride (born 1960), Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove from 1997 to 2010^[45]

L

• Paula Lane (born 1986), actress born in Hebden Bridge^[46]
• Fred Lawless, Liverpool born theatre playwright, has a house in Todmorden; was a writer for the BBC 1 TV series EastEnders and other TV and radio programmes
• Peter Lever (born 1940), England test cricketer, from Todmorden^[47]
• Anne Lister (born 1791), diarist^[48]
• John Lister (born 1847), politician^[49]
• Walter Livsey (1884–1978) Todmorden-born Hampshire wicketkeeper^[50]
• Adrian Love (1944–1999), World Service, Capital Radio and Radio 2 DJ
• Geoff Love (1917–1991), big band leader, born in Todmorden^[51]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dicken Ashworth. corrie.net. 11 February 2010.
2. Web site: Tom Bailey. Billboard. 23 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20151010224630/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1541089/tom-bailey/biography. 10 October 2015. dead.
3. Book: Barker, Paul. 2012. Hebden Bridge: A Sense of Belonging. Frances Lincoln. 978-0711232150.
4. Web site: Tony Booth's wife hit with 'fake' parking fine: Officials probe her £60 ticket. 19 February 2009. Johnston Press Digital Publishing . Halifax Evening Courier. Kelly. Sarah. 11 February 2010.
5. Web site: Halifax Hall of Fame. Halifax RLFC. 31 December 2011. 15 April 2024. 26 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160226093004/http://www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/our_club/hall_of_fame. dead.
6. News: Hayward. Anthony. Anthony Hayward. Anita Carey obituary. The Guardian. 6 August 2023.
7. Web site: Cyclo-cross: Cycle stars brave icy Centre Vale. Johnston Press Digital Publishing . Todmorden News. 7 January 2010. 11 February 2010.
8. Web site: Keith Clifford. TV Guide. 27 August 2023.
9. Web site: Jacob. Liana. You Netflix season 4: Who is Dario Coates from Hebden Bridge? The former Coronation Street actor appearing alongside Penn Badgley on Netflix psychological thriller show. The Yorkshire Post. 16 January 2023. 17 August 2023.
10. Web site: John Cockcroft – The Nobel Prize in Physics 1951. The Nobel Foundation. Nobelprize.org. From Nobel Lectures, Physics 1942–1962, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1964. 11 February 2010.
11. Cockcroft, Sir John Douglas (1897–1967). Allibone. T. E.. September 2004. 10.1093/ref:odnb/9398. 11 February 2010.
12. Web site: Kellett. Abigail. Did you know that these 12 famous people lived in Calderdale?. Halifax Courier. 9 March 2020.
13. Web site: Talent galore for Hornets. Guardian Media Group. Rochdale Observer. 15 January 2003. 11 February 2010.
14. Web site: Shirley Crabtree. Wrestling Heritage . 28 August 2023.
15. Web site: Wrestling hits Huddersfield but it's not as we remember it . YorkshireLive. 11 January 2010.
16. News: Perrone. Pierre. Obituary: Big Daddy . The Independent. 3 December 1997.
17. Ramsbottom . J. . 1917 . Charles Crossland (1844-1916) . Transactions of the British Mycological Society . 5 . 466–469 . 10.1016/s0007-1536(14)80049-1. free .
18. Book: Lowe, Simon. Potters at War . 2004. Desert Island Books. 1-874287-78-3.
19. Web site: Players - Russell Crossley . LFC History. 17 August 2023.
20. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race UK reveals West Yorkshire drag queen Divina De Campo as contestant. John. Blow. Yorkshire Post. 23 October 2019.
21. Horsfall, Edith. The Parish Register of Heptonstall, in the County of York, 1593-1660. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1925. Print.
22. Web site: Joe Duttine. TV Guide. 15 September 2023.
23. News: Coveney. Michael. Michael Coveney. Avril Elgar obituary . The Guardian. 29 September 2021. 16 September 2023.
24. Web site: Keith Emerson. https://web.archive.org/web/20030318094038/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/emerson_keith/bio.jhtml. dead. 18 March 2003. MTV Networks. vh1.com. 11 February 2010.
25. Book: Jacobus. Donald Lines. The American Genealogist Volume 76. 2001 . D.L. Jacobus. 20.
26. Web site: The Feature: Introducing... Oliver Farnworth . Official London Theatre. 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101221170810/http://officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/the-feature/view/item110549/Introducing----Oliver-Farnworth/. 21 December 2010. 4 May 2010.
27. Book: Warner, David . The Yorkshire County Cricket Club: 2011 Yearbook. 2011. 113th. Great Northern Books. Ilkley, Yorkshire. 978-1-905080-85-4. 368.
28. Fielden, John (1784–1849). Weaver. Stewart A.. 2004. 10.1093/ref:odnb/9398. 11 February 2010.
29. News: I came back to Yorkshire for fish and chips. 28 September 2023. Halifax Courier. 7 January 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20141224071344/http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/i-came-back-to-yorkshire-for-fish-and-chips-1-1904058. 24 December 2014. dead.
30. Foster, John (1770-1843). 20.
31. Web site: Working with Lenny Henry is a serious business . Halifax Courier. 28 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20120905140913/http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/working-with-lenny-henry-is-a-serious-business-1-1925702. 5 September 2012 . 28 January 2009. dead.
32. News: de Menezes. Jack. Eric Harrison death: Legendary Manchester United youth coach behind 'Class of 92' dies, aged 81 . The Independent. 14 February 2019.
33. Web site: John Helliwell . Rotten Tomatoes. 1 October 2023.
34. Book: Hibbert. Dale. Boy, Interrupted: Memoir of a Former Smith . 12 December 2015. Pomona. 9781904590309.
35. Web site: actress to attend. 9 November 2006. Todmorden News. Johnston Press Digital Publishing . 11 February 2010.
36. Web site: William Holt's literary legacy. 11 December 2008. Todmorden News. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Lee. Philip. 11 February 2010.
37. News: Poets' Corner memorial for Ted Hughes . BBC News. BBC. 22 March 2010.
38. Web site: Hirst. Ian. Halifax funny man Neil Hurst announces departure from Victoria Theatre pantos. Halifax Courier. 1 March 2019.
39. Web site: Barrie Ingham. Playbill . 6 October 2023.
40. News: Obituary: Sir Bernard Ingham. BBC News. BBC. 24 February 2023.
41. Web site: Innes Ireland . Historic Racing. 22 October 2006.
42. Web site: Opening up a world . Todmorden News. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050457/http://www.todmordennews.co.uk/news/local/opening-up-a-world-of-talent-1-1841246. 4 March 2016. 18 July 2007.
43. Web site: The Honourable Mr. Justice Wilfred Judson. 4 September 2008. Supreme Court of Canada. 11 February 2010.
44. Web site: Todmorden forecaster John Kettley tells of stormy weather in autobiography. Lancashire Telegraph. Newsquest Media Group. Marshal. Tyrone. 6 October 2009. 11 February 2010.
45. http://www.juliekirkbride.com/ Julie Kirkbride Official Website
46. Web site: Former Huddersfield student Paula Lane at centre of dramatic Coronation Street drugs storyline. Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Atkinson. Neil. 24 September 2014.
47. Web site: Peter Lever. CricInfo. ESPN EMEA Ltd. 11 February 2010.
48. News: Baigent . Elizabeth . Lister, Anne (1791–1840) . . . September 2004 . 10.1093/ref:odnb/45743 . 10 June 2010 .
49. News: Hargreaves . John A. . Lister, John (1847–1933) . . . September 2004 . 10.1093/ref:odnb/45743 . 10 June 2010 .
50. Web site: Walter Livsey. Cricinfo. 7 February 2017.
51. News: Jane Lumb. The Times. 15 March 2008.
52. Web site: Andrew Harwood Mills. Rotten Tomatoes. 6 October 2023.
53. Web site: Harry Mortimer Celebration Concert. Foden's Band. 23 August 2023.
54. Baker . R. A. . Where are they now? The records and collections of James Needham (1849 – 1913), amateur mycologist and bryologist of Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. Locating his legacy and resources for further study . The Journal of Natural Science Collections . 2016 . 4 . 34–39 . 25 October 2021.
55. Web site: Named Equations And Laws In Chemistry (L–P). Department of Chemistry, York University, Canada. Andraos. John. 11 February 2010.
56. Web site: Katie Ormerod interview: Resilient snowboard star hoping to complete Olympic journey from Brighouse to Beijing . . 15 February 2022.
57. Web site: Seatter. Robert. In Focus: Wilfred Pickles . BBC. 23 August 2023.
58. Ramsbottom, John (1814–1897). Carpenter. George W.. 2004. 10.1093/ref:odnb/37881. 11 February 2010.
59. Web site: Lavena Saltonstall . Mapping Women's Suffrage. 1 August 2023.
60. Web site: Derek Shackleton. TimesOnline. Times Newspapers Ltd. 1 October 2007. 11 February 2010.
61. http://www.halifaxtoday.co.uk/mk4custompages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=39556 Halifax Today article on Percy Shaw
62. Web site: Harold Shipman: The killer doctor. BBC News Online. BBC. 13 January 2004. 11 February 2010.
63. Wilkinson, Sir Geoffrey (1921–1996). Griffith. Bill. September 2004. 10.1093/ref:odnb/63356. 11 February 2010.
64. News: Hayward. Anthony. Anthony Hayward. Barbara Young obituary. The Guardian. 4 May 2023.
65. Love, Geoffrey [Geoff] (1917–1991)|last = Wilmer|first = Val|date=September 2004|doi = 10.1093/ref:odnb/75119|accessdate = 11 February 2010}}
    • Jane Lumb (1942–2008), actress and fashion model of the 1960s, born in Mytholmroyd^[51]

    M

    • Andrew Harwood Mills (born 1980), actor, born in Halifax^[52]
    • Harry Mortimer (1902–1992), composer and conductor, born in Hebden Bridge^[53]

    N

    • James Needham (1849–1913) mycologist and iron moulder from Hebden Bridge^[54]
    • John Mitchell Nuttall (1890–1958), Todmorden-born physicist remembered for the Geiger–Nuttall law^[55]

    O

    • Katie Ormerod, Olympic snowboarder from Brighouse^[56]

    P

    • Wilfred Pickles (1904–1978), radio personality, born in Halifax.^[57]
    • Eric Portman (1901–1969), film and television actor, born in Ackroydon

    R

    • John Ramsbottom (1814–1897), mechanical engineer and inventor from Todmorden^[58]

    S

    • Lavena Saltonstall (1881–1957), English suffragette and writer, from Hebden Bridge^[59]
    • Derek Shackleton (born 1924), England test cricketer, from Todmorden^[60]
    • Miles Balmford Sharp (1897–1973), artist
    • Percy Shaw (1890–1976), inventor of the cat's eye^[61]
    • Ed Sheeran (born 1991), born in Hebden Bridge
    • Harold Shipman (1946–2004), serial killer, took up his first GP's position at the Abraham Ormerod Centre in Todmorden^[62]
    • Oliver Smithies (born 1925), U.S. geneticist and Nobel prizewinner, born in Halifax

    T

    • Rebecca Taylor, Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, born in Todmorden
    • Grenville Turner (born 1936), a pioneer of cosmochemistry, from Todmorden

    W

    • Sally Wainwright, screenwriter. Wrote several episodes of Coronation Street before going on to create At Home with the Braithwaites, Scott & Bailey and Happy Valley (TV series). Raised in Sowerby Bridge
    • Geoffrey Wilkinson (1921–1996), won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1973, from Todmorden^[63]
    • David Wilson, footballer who began his career at Manchester United (1980s)

    Y

    • Barbara Young (1931–2023), actress, born in Brighouse^[64]

    See also

    • List of people from West Yorkshire

    References

    .