Forest of Dean - Famous Inhabitants

Famous Inhabitants

• Wayne Barnes, international rugby union referee, lived in Bream, and played for Bream RFC.
• Jane Couch, winner of five women's World Boxing titles, lives in Lydney.
• Members of the band EMF are from Cinderford.
• Winifred Foley, author who wrote about her childhood in the forest, was born in Brierley.
• Edna Healey, author and wife of Denis Healey, was born in the Forest and lived in Coleford.
• James and William Horlick, the inventors of malted milk powder who gave their name to Horlicks, were born in Ruardean.
• Warren James, a miners' leader who led the Free Miners to action against the Crown, was born on the edge of Parkend.
• David Mushet, a Scottish metallurgist who pioneered techniques for iron production, lived in Coleford from 1810 to 1844.
• Robert Forester Mushet, who discovered a way to perfect the Bessemer Process, and who produced the first commercial steel alloys, was born in Coleford.
• Dennis Potter, author and playwright who frequently used the region as a setting in his work, was born near Coleford.
• J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, lived on the southern edge of the Forest at Tutshill from 1974 to 1983.
• Dick Whittington, also known as Richard Whittington and who later became Lord Mayor of the City of London, was born in Pauntley, now part of the Forest of Dean district.
• Jimmy Young, the BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 DJ was born in Cinderford.
• Joe Meek, record producer and composer of 'Telstar' was born in Newent in 1929.
• Shoo Rayner, children's book author, illustrator, and YouTube personality.
• Steve James (cricketer), former England / Glamorgan batsman and now Sports journalist for the Telegraph was born in Lydney and played both cricket and rugby for the town.