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William Avery -
William came from a Needlemaking family. He was a musical prodigy and was widely known through the district. In 1858 William started the ‘Penny Readings’ in Redditch as Newspapers were only in their infancy. He helped to establish the Redditch Literary and Scientific Institute and the School of Art. He had been a Liberal in politics and took a prominent part in local work. He had a strong interest in education and had been on the Feckenham school board. He died while sitting on a garden seat in the grounds near his residence on 31st July 1899 aged 67.
British Newspaper Archives
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Mavis Bennett -
Mavis Bennett, born Annie May Bennett in 1900 in Redditch, to parents Frank R. Bennett, needle finisher, and Annie. Mavis started singing in local concerts at the age of nine and in amateur operatic productions at the age of 14. She went to Birmingham to study singing and subsequently joined the D’Oyly Carte Repertory Company chorus in March 1921. She appeared on the concert stage and in several London shows and became an overnight sensation through the medium of radio.
Ancestry.co.uk & British Newspaper Archives
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John Bonham -
John Henry Bonham was born, 31st May 1948, to parents Jack and Joan Bonham in Redditch. He started to play drums at an early age. His mother gave him a snare drum at the age of 10 and he got his first drum kit from his father at the age of 15. He attended Lodge Farm Secondary Modern school. After leaving school in 1964 he worked for his father as a carpenter. He was a member of several bands before joining Led Zeppelin in 1968.
Ros Sidaway and Wikipedia
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William T. Heming -
William Thomas Heming established a flourishing printing business in 1827, with an office in Prospect Hill. In 1859 he launched Redditch's first newspaper, "The Redditch Indicator".He was also involved in bringing the railway to Redditch and enjoyed interests in geology, poetry and public speaking.
Various Newspapers in the RLHS Archives
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Millicent Phillips -
Millicent started singing at a very early age having first performed at the Palace Theatre at the age of five. At ten her mother took her to see the well-
Ancestry.co.uk & British Newspaper Archives
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Alan Styler -
Alan Arthur Styler was born, 1st October 1925, to parents Arthur Styler and Madeleine A. (nee Cook), in Redditch Worcestershire. He died 1st September 1970 in Manchester. He joined the Grenadier Guards at the age of seventeen and served during the Second World War. Styler was an English opera singer who joined D'Oyly Carte in 1947.
Wikipedia
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Windsor-
The Windsors, and Windsor-
wikipedia
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Ernie Cater -
Ernie Cater gained the reputation as “The Man Who Knocked Down Redditch”. This however, was just part of his story. We have been pleased to have recently received from his son, Mike Cater, a collection of photographs, newspapers, work books and associated documents which show a much wider side to Ernie and his business.This is not the story of Ernie’s family life but how he progressed from coalman, to haulage contractor to demolition expert. Redditch’s own Fred Dibnah.
Mike Cater
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People turn a town into a community. From the thousands of people who go about their daily lives without achieving any notoriety, a few emerge into public view and are remembered for just doing their job or helping others.
Elsewhere on this site we look at some of these people who have “influenced the growth or reputation of Redditch or have served the community in the town” as reported in local newspapers. These we have listed as “Redditch People”
In this section we have picked out a few people from the list of Redditch People who for one reason or another have stood out from the rest.
We are always looking for more nomination to document in this section.
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George Fessey -
George Fred Fessey born in 1806, St James, London and was baptised 25th December 1806, St James Piccadily, in the Borough of Westminster. In December 1831, George Frederick Fessey became a Deacon andThen in the following year he was ordained as Priest.
He was not only the first vicar of the New St. Stephen’s Church in Redditch he was also instrumental in the founding of St. George’s Church in the town.
Derek & Jill Coombes
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Madge Tillsley -
Madge Tillsley was born in Jamacia and came to live in Redditch in the 1950’s when her solider husband returned to the UK. During her life in Redditch she has worked tirelessly for the community. She co-
This booklet looks back on her life in Redditch though her own photographs.
Derek & Jill Coombes
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Tom Paddock -
Thomas Paddock was born in Redditch and died of heart disease at his home at 41 Upper Rathbone Place, London. Tom, also known as the Redditch Needle Pointer, was a champion bare knuckle boxer in the early Victorian era. He started boxing in 1844 and stood at 5ft.10½ins and weighed about 12 stone. Between 1844 and 1850 was largely undefeated and gained a reputation for his courage but also for his foul tactics and uncontrollable temper.
Derek & Jill Coombes
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Colin Wheeler -
Colin’s first love was entertainment but his father insisted he got a “proper job” and Colin became a builder. Later he was a Special Constable and Building Inspector but he never lost is love of entertaining and he appeared in many shows across the Midlands, produced and hosted Old Time Musical shows as well as being involved in Redditch Carnival.
His knowledge of Redditch people, places and events was second to none. Colin passed away in December 2018.
Colin Wheeler edited by Derek Coombes