In celebration of our greatest heroes
When it comes to producing heroes Coventry and Warwickshire has got an impressive track record. So what better way to honour our 2017 Coventry and Warwickshire Heroes awards winners than by listing our best home-grown icons? Here, CATHERINE LILLINGTON pic
1. William Shakespeare: Born in Stratford in 1564 and widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.
2. George Eliot: Novelist Mary Ann Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, was born in Nuneaton and was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era.
3. Rosie Abbott: The inspirational 15-yearold died on January 27 this year, after bravely battling cancer for several years.
4. Lady Godiva: 11th-century Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend rode naked through the streets of Coventry to overturn the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband, Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, on his tenants.
5. Jimmy Hill: The Coventry City legend led the club to the top flight in the 1960s, before going on to become a national figure as host of Match of the Day and helping to bring in major changes in the game.
6. Mo Mowlam: Popular Labour MP whose time as Northern Ireland Secretary saw the signing of the historic Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.
7. John Sillett: The legendary FA Cup boss’s team upset the odds to pick up their first major trophy in their 104year history after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Tottenham Hotspur in 1987.
8. Philip Larkin: Poet, writer and librarian born in Coventry in 1922. He attended King Henry VIII School and went on to read English at Oxford.
16. Sir Nigel Hawthorne: Award-winning actor born in Coventry best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister.
17. Sir Frank Whittle: RAF pilot born in Earlsdon, Coventry, in 1907. He grew up in Leamington and devised the turbojet engine which he patented in 1930, with the prototype created in 1937.
18. Matt Aitken: Coventry-born musician who was part of the 1980s songwriting/production trio Stock Aitken Waterman who became the biggest hit-makers in the history of the record industry.
19. Sinead Matthews: Coventry actress and former Cardinal Wiseman School pupil who has starred in films including Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, and Pride & Prejudice.
20. The Specials: Coventry’s 2-Tone and ska revival band who enjoyed seven UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, including two number one hits, “Too Much Too Young”, and “Ghost Town”.
21. Pete Waterman OBE: Coventry born pop mogul and TV presenter who was a
regular DJ at the Locarno ballroom in Coventry city centre for years before he found fame as part of 1980s hit-making trio Stock Aitken Waterman.
22. Vince Hill: Coventry-born crooner who grew up in Holbrooks and was one of Britain’s best-known singing stars.
23. Delia Derbyshire: Pioneering musician and composer who was born in Coundon, Coventry in 1937. She is best known for her early electronic recording of the Doctor Who theme tune in 1963.
24. The Selecter: Coventry ska group fronted by Pauline Black who notched up a handful of hit singles in the British charts.
25. Frank Ifield: Singer born in Coundon, Coventry in 1937. Known for his yodelling.
26. The Enemy: Indie rock band formed in Coventry. 27. Tom Cartwright MBE: Coventry cricketer who grew up in Alderman’s Green and was the most successful bowler in English county cricket during the 1960s and early 1970s.
28. Andy Goode: Coventry-born former England rugby player who plays for Wasps RFC.
29. Reg Matthews: Goalkeeper for Coventry City, Chelsea and Derby County, making over 100 league appearances for each.
30. David Duckham MBE:
Coventry-born rugby player who played for the Lions and England in the Sixties and Seventies and tasted success with Coventry and Warwickshire.