List of people associated with Penarth
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The following is a list of prominent and
notable Notability is the property of being worthy of notice, having fame, or being considered to be of a high degree of interest, significance, or distinction. It also refers to the capacity to be such. Persons who are notable due to public responsibi ...
people associated with the town of Penarth in South Wales.


Armed Forces

* Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Fry KCB
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
is a British Royal Marines general, formerly
Commandant General Royal Marines The Commandant General Royal Marines is the professional head of the Royal Marines. The title has existed since 1943. The role is held by a General who is assisted by a Deputy Commandant General, with the rank of brigadier. This position is not t ...
was born in Penarth. * Patrick Gibbs (1916 – April 2008) was born in Penarth and died aged 92 best remembered as chief film critic of
The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...
from 1960 to 1986. But his own most dramatic moment came when he was a
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...
Wing Commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...
based on
Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
for three months during the summer of 1942 as a flight commander at the much-bombed but resilient island, which brought his Beaufort torpedo bombers within range of Axis convoys crossing the Mediterranean to Africa. Gibbs was awarded the DSO, DFC and Bar . * Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO and Bar DFC and Bar RAF (12 August 1918 – 19 September 1944) – leader of the Dambuster raid married his wife Eve, herself a Penarthian, at All Saints Church Penarth in 1940 and the couple lived for a time in Archer Road, where there is a commemorative plaque to his memory. Gibson was a keen golfer and a member of the Glamorganshire Golf Club in Lower Penarth. * Samuel George Pearse VC, MM, (16 July 1897 – 29 August 1919) – was a Sergeant in the Royal Fusiliers and a recipient of the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Pearse was born and educated in Penarth before moving to Australia with his family in 1911 after leaving school. * Richard William Leslie Wain VC (5 December 1896 – 20 November 1917) – a Captain in the
Tank Corps An armoured corps (also mechanized corps or tank corps) is a specialized military organization whose role is to conduct armoured warfare. The units belonging to an armoured corps include military staff, and are equipped with tanks and other armo ...
was a recipient of the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, was born and educated in Penarth.


Entertainment

* Lincoln Barrett (born 1979), also known as High Contrast, is a successful drum and bass DJ and producer. Lincoln lives in Penarth. * Paul 'Legs' Barrett was manager of Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets for ten years until October 1977 and is well known countrywide as a rock and roll promoter, agent and impresario. He has also managed
Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as " rock & roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis ma ...
's younger sister
Linda Gail Lewis Linda Gail Lewis (born July 18, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She has recorded with Stephen Ackles, Van Morrison, and with her brother, Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an A ...
. Paul has lived in Penarth all his life and is married to Lorraine Barrett, the town's Welsh Assembly member. *
Shân Cothi Shân Margaretta Morgan (born 25 October 1965), known professionally as Shân Cothi, is a Welsh singer-songwriter, television and radio presenter. Early life Cothi was born in Ffarmers, Carmarthenshire, the younger of two children of Dai an ...
is a Welsh operatic singer and actress. She was born and raised, the daughter of a blacksmith in a tiny
Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire ( cy, Sir Gaerfyrddin; or informally ') is a county in the south-west of Wales. The three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford. Carmarthen is the county town and administrative centre. The county is known as ...
village. She graduated in Music and Drama from the
University College of Wales, Aberystwyth , mottoeng = A world without knowledge is no world at all , established = 1872 (as ''The University College of Wales'') , former_names = University of Wales, Aberystwyth , type = Public , endowment = ...
. She has been honoured with Fellowships from both the
University of Wales, Aberystwyth , mottoeng = A world without knowledge is no world at all , established = 1872 (as ''The University College of Wales'') , former_names = University of Wales, Aberystwyth , type = Public , endowment = ...
and the
University of Wales, Lampeter University of Wales, Lampeter ( cy, Prifysgol Cymru, Llanbedr Pont Steffan) was a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822, and incorporated by royal charter in 1828, it was the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales, with limited ...
. Cothi lives in Penarth. * Rebecca Evans (born August 1963) the Welsh soprano opera singer from the village of
Pontrhydyfen Pontrhydyfen (or Pont-rhyd-y-fen) is a small village in the Afan Valley, in Neath Port Talbot county borough in Wales (). The village sits at the confluence of the River Afan and the smaller Afon Pelenna, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) north of the l ...
near Neath, Wales now lives in Penarth with her family. * Mary Glynne (25 January 1895 – 19 September 1954), was a British film actress. She appeared in 24 films between 1919 and 1939. She was born in Penarth and died in London. *
Denys Graham Denys Graham (born 29 June 1926) is a Welsh actor who appeared in the later series of '' Rumpole of the Bailey'' as his many daughtered colleague Percy Hoskins. He also played a range of other roles on stage and screen. He was educated at New ...
(born 29 June 1926) – TV and film actor born in Penarth. He has appeared in films such as '' Zulu'', '' The Dambusters'' and '' Dunkirk'', also TV shows including ''
Angels In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles incl ...
'', '' Lovejoy'' and ''
Rumpole of the Bailey ''Rumpole of the Bailey'' is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It starred Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, a middle-aged London barrister who defended a broad variety of clients, oft ...
''. * Jemma Griffiths (born 18 June 1975) is a singer-songwriter better known as ''Jem''. She was born in Penarth where she attended Stanwell Comprehensive School and went on to attend Sussex University, obtaining a degree in law. Along with Guy Sigsworth, she wrote the song "
Nothing Fails "Nothing Fails" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her ninth studio album, ''American Life'' (2003). Written by Madonna, Guy Sigsworth and Jem Griffiths, and produced by the singer along with Mirwais Ahmadzaï and Mark "Spik ...
", which was later reworked by Madonna and appeared on her 2003 ''
American Life ''American Life'' is the ninth studio album by American singer Madonna. It was released on April 21, 2003, by Maverick and Warner Bros. Records. The album, produced by the singer and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, features references to many parts of Am ...
'' album. * Ross Lovegrove (born 1958) – the internationally known industrial designer, best known for his pioneering design work on the Sony Walkman and Apple computers, was born and educated in the town and returns home frequently to visit local family members. *
Martyn Joseph Martyn Joseph (born 15 July 1960) is a Welsh singer-songwriter whose music exhibits primarily a brand of Celtic and folk, while his songwriting is often focused on social lament or protest. From independently releasing his first studio release, ...
– was born in Penarth and is a Welsh singer-songwriter. In 2004, he won the Best Male Artist Category in the BBC Welsh Music Awards. * Colin McCormack (December 1941 – 19 June 2004) – Actor and member of the
Bristol Old Vic Bristol Old Vic is a British theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, Bristol. The present company was established in 1946 as an offshoot of the Old Vic in London. It is associated with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, which became a f ...
and the Royal Shakespeare Company, famous for his stage, television and film roles over fifty years including ''Macbeth'' (1988), ''The Tempest'' (1988), ''Two Gentlemen of Verona'' (1999) and ''Julius Caesar'' (2002). He was also in the RSC's production of ''A Clockwork Orange'' (1990). His TV roles were numerous but included ''Dixon of Dock Green'' (1955 and 1974), ''Z Cars'' (1966), ''Please, Sir'' (1970), ''The Sweeney'' (1975), ''The Good Life'' (1978), ''Yes Minister'' (1980), ''Martin Chuzzlewit'' (1994), ''Inspector Morse'' (1987), ''Casualty'' (2000) and ''Longitude'' (2000). He appeared in several films the latest ones being ''
Let Him Have It ''Let Him Have It'' is a 1991 British drama film directed by Peter Medak and starring Christopher Eccleston, Paul Reynolds, Tom Courtenay and Tom Bell. The film is based on the true story of Derek Bentley, who was convicted of the murder of a ...
'' (1991) and ''
First Knight ''First Knight'' is a 1995 medieval film based on Arthurian legend, directed by Jerry Zucker. It stars Sean Connery as King Arthur, Richard Gere as Lancelot, Julia Ormond as Guinevere and Ben Cross as Malagant. The film follows the rogue La ...
'' (1995). Colin will probably best be remembered by television audiences for his recurring role as Alan in the 1984 science fiction series ''
Chocky ''Chocky'' is a science fiction novel by British writer John Wyndham. It was first published as a novelette in the March 1963 issue of ''Amazing Stories'' and later developed into a novel in 1968, published by Michael Joseph. The BBC produce ...
'' and his 1991 stint playing Kevin Masters in '' EastEnders''. He also tutored at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a conservatoire and drama school located in the City of London, United Kingdom. Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz ...
, and his students included
Ewan McGregor Ewan Gordon McGregor ( ; born 31 March 1971) is a Scottish actor. His accolades include a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and the BAFTA Britannia Humanitarian Award. In 2013, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British ...
, Alistair McGowan and
Daniel Craig Daniel Wroughton Craig (born 2 March 1968) is an English-American actor who gained international fame playing the secret agent James Bond in the film series, beginning with '' Casino Royale'' (2006) and in four further instalments, up to '' ...
. Colin died of cancer aged 63. He was born in Penarth and attended Penarth Grammar School. *
Joseph Parry Joseph Parry (21 May 1841 – 17 February 1903) was a Welsh composer and musician. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he is best known as the composer of " Myfanwy" and the hymn tune "Aberystwyth", on which the African song " Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ...
(21 May 1841 – 17 February 1903 ) – a Welsh composer and musician, born in Merthyr Tydfil. He is known best as the composer of the haunting ''
Myfanwy ''Myfanwy'' (; a woman's name derived ) is a popular Welsh song, composed by Joseph Parry and first published in 1875. Background Sources differ as to whether Dr. Parry composed the music for an existing poem by Richard Davies (" Mynyddog Mwy ...
'', much loved by male voice choirs and the hymn ''Aberystwyth''. Parry lived most of his later life in Penarth and is buried in St Augustine's churchyard. *
Erin Richards Erin Richards is a Welsh actress, director and writer, best known for playing Molly Hughes in the television series '' Breaking In'' and Barbara Kean in the television series '' Gotham''. Life and career Richards was born in Penarth, Wales ...
(17 May 1986) An actress who rose to prominence with her role as Barbara Kean in the TV series '' Gotham''. *
Shakin' Stevens Michael Barratt (born 4 March 1948), known professionally as Shakin' Stevens, is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s. His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, althoug ...
– also known as ''Shaky'' (born ''Michael Barratt'', 4 March 1948, in
Ely, Cardiff Ely ( cy, Trelái ''tref'', town + cy, Afon Elái, River Ely) is a district and community in Cardiff, Wales. It is to the north of Cowbridge Road West. Caerau defines the boundary to the south as does River Ely to the east and in part to the no ...
, Wales) the Platinum selling Welsh
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm a ...
singer and songwriter, who has the distinction of being one of the top selling UK singles artist of all time, with thirty four Top 40 records and the biggest selling UK male artists during the 1980s, was based in Penarth during the 1960s and early 1970s. * The Sunsets – Shakin' Stevens's original backing band was formed from mostly Penarth resident musicians, including long serving bassist David 'Batman' Goddard and guitar doyen Cyril 'Cyd' Petherick. The renowned 1950s purist rock and roll band is still based in the town and tours regularly.


Literature and media

*
Gillian Clarke Gillian Clarke (born 8 June 1937) is a Welsh poet and playwright, who also edits, broadcasts, lectures and translates from Welsh into English. She co-founded Tŷ Newydd, a writers' centre in North Wales. Life Gillian Clarke was born on 8 J ...
was born on 8 June 1937 in
Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
and is a poet, playwright, editor, broadcaster, lecturer and translator (from Welsh). She was brought up in
Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
and was educated and lived in Penarth. *
Adrian Goldsworthy Adrian Keith Goldsworthy (; born 1969) is a British historian and novelist who specialises in ancient Roman history. Education Adrian Goldsworthy attended Westbourne School, Penarth. He then read Ancient and Modern History at St John's Colleg ...
(born 1969) is a British historian and military writer. Goldsworthy was educated at
Westbourne School Westbourne School for Boys and girls is an independent school for boys and girls aged 3–16 years old. It is located in the Broomhill area of south Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England England is a country that is part of the United ...
, Penarth. Later, after studying ancient and modern history at St John's College, Oxford, he completed a D.Phil in ancient military history from
Oxford University Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
in 1994, using his doctoral thesis in his first book, ''The Roman Army at War 100 BC – AD 200''. Goldsworthy was a Research Fellow at Cardiff University for two years and has taught in different university departments where he has produced various articles on Greco-Roman warfare. * Martin Hinds (10 April 1941; Penarth, Wales – 1 December 1988) was a scholar of the Middle East and
historiographer Historiography is the study of the methods of historians in developing history as an academic discipline, and by extension is any body of historical work on a particular subject. The historiography of a specific topic covers how historians hav ...
of early Islam . He co-authored with
Patricia Crone Patricia Crone (March 28, 1945July 11, 2015) was a Danish historian specializing in early Islamic history. Crone was a member of the Revisionist school of Islamic studies and questioned the historicity of the Islamic traditions about the beginni ...
the book God's Caliph : Religious Authority in the First Centuries of Islam * The artist Ray Howard-Jones (1903–1996), who grew up in Penarth, painted scenes showing the preparations for D-Day taking place around Penarth and the Cardiff Docks during World War Two. *
Eric Linklater Eric Robert Russell Linklater CBE (8 March 1899 – 7 November 1974) was a Welsh-born Scottish poet, fiction writer, military historian, and travel writer. For ''The Wind on the Moon'', a children's fantasy novel, he won the 1944 Carnegie Meda ...
(8 March 1899 – 7 November 1974) was a successful writer, known for more than 20 novels, as well as short stories, travel writing and autobiography, and military history. Linklater was born in Penarth. * Denis Alfred Peter Philp (10 November 1920 – 5 February 2006), was a Welsh dramatist and antiques expert, best known for his television series, ''Collectors' Club''. Philp lived in Penarth. * Frank Roper (12 December 1914 – 3 December 2000) was a British artist and sculptor. He was one of the most prolific post-War artists undertaking commissions for churches and cathedrals in England and Wales. Roper was also a potter and a calligrapher. He was awarded the OBE in 1990 for his services to art. Roper retired to Penarth in 1973 and lived there until his death. * Richard Short (29 December 1841, St Ives, Cornwall – 16 December 1919) was a Cornish artist who painted many scenes in and around Penarth. *
Alfred Sisley Alfred Sisley (; ; 30 October 1839 – 29 January 1899) was an Impressionist landscape painter who was born and spent most of his life in France, but retained British citizenship. He was the most consistent of the Impressionists in his dedicatio ...
the French Impressionist painter famously stayed in Penarth at 4 Clive Place in 1897. During his time there he married his long-term companion Eugénie Lescouzec in Cardiff Register Office. Sisley created six landscape paintings of the cliffs and coast at Penarth, before making further paintings on the Gower Peninsula. A board commemorating his stay in Penarth has now been erected, close to where he painted an oak-tree on the cliff edge. Sisley's painting of "The Cliffs at Penarth in the evening at low tide" is now in the
National Museum of Wales National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...
. * Andrew Phillip Smith (born 1966) is a Welsh writer who has so far specialized in non-fiction in the area of
Gnosticism Gnosticism (from grc, γνωστικός, gnōstikós, , 'having knowledge') is a collection of religious ideas and systems which coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects. These various groups emphasized pe ...
and
early Christianity Early Christianity (up to the First Council of Nicaea in 325) spread from the Levant, across the Roman Empire, and beyond. Originally, this progression was closely connected to already established Jewish centers in the Holy Land and the Jewis ...
. He grew up in Penarth, and attended the University College of Wales, Swansea. He lived for some time in London and then in rural California and now lives in Dublin with his wife. His published works include ''The Gospel of Thomas: A new version based on the inner meaning'' (Ulysses Books, 2002)'', The Gospel of Philip: annotated & explained'' (Skylight Paths, 2005)'', The lost sayings of Jesus: annotated & explained'' (Skylight Paths 2006)'', Gnostic Writings on the soul: annotated & explained'' (Skylight Paths 2007)'', The Gnostics: History* Traditions* Scriptures* Influence'' (Watkins Publishing, 2008), ''A Dictionary of Gnosticism'' (Quest Publishing 2009), ''The Lost Teachings of the Cathars'' (Watkins Publishing 2015, ''The Secret History of the Gnostics, their scriptures beliefs & traditions'' (Watkins Publishin 2015) He also runs the small press Bardic Press and has contributed forewords to their books. * David Sullivan (born 1 February 1949) – the notorious "Private shops" pornography baron, newspaper proprietor and part owner of Birmingham City FC was born and educated in Penarth. He graduated in Economics from
Queen Mary College, University of London Queen Mary University of London (QMUL, or informally QM, and previously Queen Mary and Westfield College) is a public university, public research university in Mile End, East London, England. It is a member institution of the federal University of ...
. Since 1986 he has been the owner of the ''
Daily Sport The ''Daily Sport'' was a tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom by Daily Sport Ltd., which specialised in celebrity news and softcore pornographic stories and images. The daily paper was launched in 1991 by David Sullivan, followin ...
'' and ''
Sunday Sport The ''Sunday Sport'' is a British tabloid newspaper that was founded by David Sullivan in 1986. It mainly publishes images of topless female glamour models, and is well known for publishing sensationalized, fictionalized, and satirical conten ...
''. In 2004, Sullivan was named by the Sunday Times as Britain's 68th richest man, with assets valued at over £500 million. * Professor Jim Wiegold (15 April 1934 – 4 August 2009) was a Welsh mathematician. He earned a PhD at the
University of Manchester , mottoeng = Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity , established = 2004 – University of Manchester Predecessor institutions: 1956 – UMIST (as university college; university 1994) 1904 – Victoria University of Manchester 1880 – Victoria Univ ...
in 1958, studying under
Bernhard Neumann Bernhard Hermann Neumann (15 October 1909 – 21 October 2002) was a German-born British-Australian mathematician, who was a leader in the study of group theory. Early life and education After gaining a D.Phil. from Friedrich-Wilhelms Universit ...
, and is most notable for his contributions to
group theory In abstract algebra, group theory studies the algebraic structures known as group (mathematics), groups. The concept of a group is central to abstract algebra: other well-known algebraic structures, such as ring (mathematics), rings, field ...
. Professor Weigold died in Penarth. * Urien Wiliam (7 November 1929 – 21 October 2006), was a noted Welsh novelist and dramatist. William was born in Barry and lived and died in Penarth.


Politics and public service

* Emily Rose Bleby (1849–1917) was a temperance reformer. Born in Jamaica, British West Indies, she lived her later years in Penarth where she died. * Harry Collins (born 1943) is a British professor at the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University and lives in Penarth. *
Sir Alun Talfan Davies Sir Alun Talfan Davies (22 July 1913 – 11 November 2000) was a Welsh judge, publisher and Liberal Party (UK), Liberal politician. Background Alun Talfan Davies was born at Gorseinon near Swansea, the youngest son of the Calvinistic Methodist m ...
(22 July 1913 – 11 November 2000) was a Welsh politician, lawyer, writer and publisher, the brother of
Aneirin Talfan Davies Aneirin Talfan Davies (11 May 1909 – 14 July 1980) was a Welsh poet, broadcaster and literary critic. Talfan Davies was brought up in Gorseinon. During the 1930s Davies worked in London as a pharmacist before returning to Wales and settling in S ...
. Davies lived in Penarth all his life and died in the town. * Gwilym Davies
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
(24 March 1879 – 26 January 1955) was a Welsh Baptist minister, who spent much of his life attempting to further good international relations through supporting the work of the
League of Nations The League of Nations (french: link=no, Société des Nations ) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ...
and its successor, the United Nations. He also established the Annual World Wireless Message to Children in 1922, and was the first person to broadcast in Welsh, on St David's Day 1923. Davies retired to Penarth and when he died his ashes were scattered in the sea at
Lavernock Point Lavernock ( cy, Larnog) is a hamlet in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, lying on the coast south of Cardiff between Penarth and Sully, and overlooking the Bristol Channel. Marconi and the first radio messages across open sea Following over ...
. * John Dixon (born 1951) is a Welsh politician and was Chairman of
Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru ( ; ; officially Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, often referred to simply as Plaid) is a centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom. Plaid wa ...
. He stood for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency in the 2007 National Assembly for Wales election. Dixon lived in Penarth and was educated in the town. * Sir Henry Lewis Guy
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
, FRS, (15 June 1887 – 20 July 1956) was a leading British mechanical engineer, notable in particular for his work on steam turbine design. Guy was born and educated in Penarth. * Ralph Hancock (1893–1950) – Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's favourite landscape gardener built gardens in the UK in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and in the United States in the 1930s. A few are well known; the roof gardens at Derry and Toms in London and the
Rockefeller Center Rockefeller Center is a large complex consisting of 19 commercial buildings covering between 48th Street and 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The 14 original Art Deco buildings, commissioned by the Rockefeller family, span th ...
in New York, the garden at Twyn-yr-Hydd House in
Margam Margam is a suburb and community of Port Talbot in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, close to junction 39 of the M4 motorway. The community had a population of 3,017 in 2011; the built up area being larger and extending into ...
and the rock and water garden he built for Princess Victoria at
Coppins Coppins is a country house north of the village of Iver in Buckinghamshire, England, formerly a home of members of the British royal family, including Princess Victoria, Prince George, Duke of Kent, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent and Prince ...
,
Iver Iver is a large civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England. In addition to the central clustered village, the parish includes the residential neighbourhoods of Iver Heath and Richings Park. Geography, transport and economy Part of the 43-square- ...
, England. Hancock lived in Penarth for most of his life. *
Sir John Hawkshaw Sir John Hawkshaw FRS FRSE FRSA MICE (9 April 1811 – 2 June 1891), was an English civil engineer. He served as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers 1862-63. His most noteworthy work is the Severn Tunnel. Early life He was bor ...
(1811 – 2 June 1891), English engineer, was born in
Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popula ...
, Yorkshire and was educated at
Leeds Grammar School Leeds Grammar School was an independent school founded 1552 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Originally a male-only school, in August 2005 it merged with Leeds Girls' High School to form The Grammar School at Leeds. The two schools physicall ...
. Hawkshaw was the architect and builder of Penarth Docks and he settled in the town after it was constructed. *
Harrison Hayter Harrison Hayter (10 April 1825 – 5 May 1898) was a British engineer, participating in many significant railway construction projects in Britain and many harbour and dock constructions worldwide. Biography Hayter was born at Flushing ne ...
(10 April 1825 – 5 May 1898) was a British engineer, participating in many significant railway construction projects in Britain and many harbour and dock constructions worldwide, including Penarth docks. *
Clive Jenkins David Clive Jenkins (2 May 1926 – 22 September 1999) was a British trade union leader. "Organising the middle classes", his stated recreation in '' Who's Who'', sums up both his sense of humour and his achievements in the British trade union m ...
(2 May 1926 – 22 September 1999) – the British trade union leader who stated in '' Who's Who'' that his whole life was dedicated to "Organising the middle classes", which summed up both his sense of humour and his achievements in the British trade union movement, had a second home in the town. *
Eric Linklater Eric Robert Russell Linklater CBE (8 March 1899 – 7 November 1974) was a Welsh-born Scottish poet, fiction writer, military historian, and travel writer. For ''The Wind on the Moon'', a children's fantasy novel, he won the 1944 Carnegie Meda ...
(8 March 1899 – 7 November 1974), founder member and candidate of the
National Party of Scotland The National Party of Scotland (NPS) was a centre-left political party in Scotland which was one of the predecessors of the current Scottish National Party (SNP). The NPS was the first Scottish nationalist political party, and the first which c ...
(predecessor of the SNP), also a writer. Linklater was born in Penarth. *Constance Maillard (1849–1935) Woman politician and the first female chairman of the Penarth Urban District Council in 1924–25. * Alun Michael JP MP (born 22 August 1943) – the Welsh politician, Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Cardiff South and Penarth, and member of the UK's Privy Council lives in the town. He is currently Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales * Sir Archibald Rowlands GCB MBE (26 December 1892 – 18 August 1953) was a British civil servant. After serving as private secretary to three Secretaries of State for War, he was Permanent Secretary to the
Ministry of Air Production The Minister of Aircraft Production was, from 1940 to 1945, the British government minister at the Ministry of Aircraft Production, one of the specialised supply ministries set up by the British Government during World War II. It was responsible ...
during the Second World War. He then worked in India and later acted as a special advisor to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Governor-General of Pakistan. Rowlands was born in Penarth and educated at Penarth Grammar School. * Dr. Wilfred Edward Shewell-Cooper (1900–1982) was a pioneer British
organic gardener The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to organic gardening and farming: Organic farming – alternative agricultural system that relies on fertilizers of organic origin such as compost, manure, green manur ...
and pioneer of no dig gardening. He was the author of ''Soil, Humus and Health (1975)''. Shewell-Cooper lived in Penarth during the early 20th century. * John Smith MP (born 1951) – Labour party politician and former Member of Parliament for the
Vale of Glamorgan The Vale of Glamorgan ( cy, Bro Morgannwg ), often referred to as The Vale, is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It borders Bridgend County Borough to the west, Cardiff to the east, Rhondda Cynon Taf to the north, and the Bristol ...
was educated at Penarth County Grammar School. Member of the UK's Defence Select Committee between 2005 – 2007. * James Pyke Thompson (1846–1897) was an English corn merchant who is best known for his philanthropic work towards the people of
Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
and Penarth in South Wales. Born into a wealthy family in Bridgwater, Somerset, Thompson joined his father as director of Spiller & Co., Cardiff, one of the largest milling companies in Britain. Thompson lived in Plymouth Road and built the
Turner House Gallery Turner House Gallery is an art gallery in Penarth, near Cardiff, Wales. Details The gallery was built in 1887/8, designed by architect Edwin Seward in a Queen Anne style for the rich local flour merchant, James Pyke Thompson. Pyke Thompson used ...
to house his collection of paintings. *
Philip Weekes Philip Gordon Weekes (12 June 1920 – 26 June 2003) was a Welsh mining engineer. As the National Coal Board's manager of the South Wales coalfields, Weekes played an important role mediating between the two sides of the miners' strike of 1984-8 ...
(born ''Philip Gordon Weekes'' in the village of Nantybwch, Monmouthshire 12 June 1920 died Penarth 26 June 2003) was a renowned
mining engineer Mining in the engineering discipline is the extraction of minerals from underneath, open pit, above or on the ground. Mining engineering is associated with many other disciplines, such as mineral processing, exploration, excavation, geology, and ...
who rose to the head of his profession within the mining industry in Wales and beyond. *
Harriet Windsor-Clive, 13th Baroness Windsor {{Infobox noble, type , name = Harriet Windsor-Clive , title = Baroness Windsor , image = St Fagans National History Museum 213.JPG , caption = St Fagans Castle , alt = , CoA ...
(1797–1869), her Plymouth Estates owned the land where Penarth was developed. She formed the Penarth Harbour Company which developed
Penarth Dock Penarth Dock was a port and harbour which was located on the south bank of the mouth of the River Ely, at Penarth, Glamorgan, Wales. It opened in 1865 and reached its heyday before World War I, after which followed a slow decline until clos ...
and she financed the town's National School. * Sir Edward Youde
GCMG The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour ...
,
GCVO The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, or ...
, MBE (19 June 1924 – 5 December 1986) born in Penarth was a British administrator, diplomat and Sinologist. He served as
Governor of Hong Kong The governor of Hong Kong was the representative of the British Crown in Hong Kong from 1843 to 1997. In this capacity, the governor was president of the Executive Council and commander-in-chief of the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong. ...
between 20 May 1982 and 5 December 1986.


Sport

* Peter Aitken (born 30 June 1954) is a former Welsh professional
footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
and was born in Penarth. *
Jack Bassett Jack Bassett (11 July 1905 – 19 February 1989) was a Welsh international rugby union full back who played club rugby for Penarth. He won 15 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1930 British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He ca ...
(11 July 1905 – 19 February 1989) was a Welsh international
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
full back who played club rugby for
Penarth RFC Penarth Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based since 1924 at The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road, in Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. Team history Origins and early history Penarth RFC was founded in 1879 by Cyril an ...
. He won 15 caps for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
and was selected for the 1930 British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He captained the Welsh team on nine occasions. *
William Percy Carpmael William Percy Carpmael (20 May 1864 – 27 December 1936) was the founder and first president of the rugby union Barbarian Football Club. Carpmael was born the eldest of eight in Briscobel, Streatham in England.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 13 ...
(1853 – 27 December 1936) was the founder and first president of the
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
Barbarian Football Club The Barbarian Football Club, known as the Barbarians is a British-based invitational rugby union club. The Barbarians play in black and white hoops, though players wear socks from their own club strip. Membership is by invitation. As of 2011, p ...
. Carpmael was born the eldest of eight in
Stretham Stretham Locally, the is a glottal stop: or even is a village and civil parish south-south-west of Ely in Cambridgeshire, England, about by road from London. Its main attraction is Stretham Old Engine, a steam-powered pump used to drain ...
, England.Starmer-Smith (1977), p. 13. Carpmeal lived in Penarth briefly and chose the town as headquarters of the Barbarian FC. * James Arthur Clare (1857 – 4 January 1930) was an English-born international
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
three-quarter who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. He achieved just a single cap, in the second international encounter between Wales and his birth country England. Clare lived in Penarth most of his life while working as a
maritime pilot A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. Maritime pilots are regarded as skilled profession ...
. * David Davies (born 3 March 1985 in
Barry Barry may refer to: People and fictional characters * Barry (name), including lists of people with the given name, nickname or surname, as well as fictional characters with the given name * Dancing Barry, stage name of Barry Richards (born c. 19 ...
) – the British
Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...
competitor and Olympic silver medalist in the 2008 Beijing 10-kilometre open water swim was educated in Penarth. * Richard 'Dickie' Garrett (1865 – 17 February 1908) was a Welsh international
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
player who played club rugby for Penarth and international rugby for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. Garrett was a collier by trade and in 1908 was killed when he was crushed by a coal truck. * Reggie Gibbs (7 May 1882 – 28 November 1938) was a Welsh international
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
wing who played club rugby for Penarth and
Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
. He was capped 16 times for his country and captained his team on one occasion. Gibbs is one of five Welsh players to have scored four tries in a single game. * Dame Carys Davina ("Tanni") Grey-Thompson DBE (born 26 July 1969 in
Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
, Wales) is a Welsh Paralympian athlete and was educated in Penarth. * Alan Harrington (17 November 1933 – 23 December 2019) is a former
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
international footballer. Harrington played his entire professional career at Cardiff City where he is regarded as one of the club's all-time greats. * Amanda Haswell – the Welsh Commonwealth and British Olympic high diver in the 1960s was born in Penarth and attended Penarth Grammar School. * Brett Morse (born 11 February 1989) is a British discus athlete who has competed in the world championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. Currently ranked World No. 8, European No.4, Commonwealth No. 3 and British No. 1. * Ieuan Lloyd (born 9 July 1993) is a Welsh swimmer who has competed in both the Olympic and commonwealth games, he is better known as the Maesteg Manatee. * Austin David George Matthews (3 May 1904 – 29 July 1977) was a cricketer who played for
Northamptonshire Northamptonshire (; abbreviated Northants.) is a county in the East Midlands of England. In 2015, it had a population of 723,000. The county is administered by two unitary authorities: North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire. It is ...
, Glamorgan and
England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
. Matthews was born in Penarth and played rugby for
Penarth RFC Penarth Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based since 1924 at The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road, in Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. Team history Origins and early history Penarth RFC was founded in 1879 by Cyril an ...
. * James "Jimmy" Nelson (7 January 1901 – 8 October 1965) was a Scottish international
footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
who played for Cardiff City and Newcastle United in the 1920s and 1930s and captained the famous ''
Wembley Wizards The Wembley Wizards is the nickname for the Scotland national football team that crushed England national football team, England 5–1 at Wembley Stadium (1923), Wembley in the 1928 British Home Championship. Background Scotland had failed to w ...
''
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
side of 1928. Nelson moved to Penarth in later life and eventually became a publican in the town after retiring from football. * Edith Parnell, in 1929 the 16-year-old schoolgirl was the second person to swim across the Bristol Channel from Penarth to
Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare, also known simply as Weston, is a seaside town in North Somerset, England. It lies by the Bristol Channel south-west of Bristol between Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill. It includes the suburbs of Mead Vale, Milton, Oldmix ...
.BookOxygen ''Wonder Girls'' by Catherine Jones
* Frankie Prince (born 1 December 1949) is a Welsh former
footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
who was born in Penarth. * Jamie Robinson (born 7 April 1980 in Penarth, Wales) is a Welsh
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
footballer who plays at
outside centre In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards (wearing jerseys numbered 1–8) and seven backs (numbered 9–15). In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players "on the bench", numbered 16– ...
for the Cardiff Blues and
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. He attended
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (''Taff Bank Welsh Language Comprehensive School'') is a Welsh-medium coeducational secondary school in Llandaff North, a district in the north of Cardiff, Wales; it is the largest of its kind in the country. Of the ...
with younger brother Nick Robinson. He is known for his defence, blistering pace and ability to beat defenders. * George Albert Rowles (1866 – 12 September 1922) was a Welsh
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
international halfback who played club rugby for Penarth RFC and Newport RFC. He won a single cap for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
during the 1892 Home Nations Championship. He was the second player to represent Wales while playing club rugby for Penarth. * Edward Sweet-Escott (27 July 1879 – 1 July 1956) was a
cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by str ...
er for Glamorgan and England. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He was born in Brompton-Ralph and died in Penarth after living in the town for many years. * Kathleen Thomas, the first person to swim across the Bristol Channel, a 21-year-old woman from Penarth who swam to Weston-super-Mare on 5 September 1927 in 7 hours 20 minutes. In 2007 the achievement was marked by a plaque in seafront in Penarth. * Edward 'Ted' Vizard (7 June 1889 – 25 December 1973) was a Welsh
footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
who became a club manager. He spent almost all his playing career at Bolton Wanderers. Vizard was born in Cogan. * George Avery Young (June 1866 – 21 January 1900) was an English-born sportsman who played international
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
for
Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
and cricket for Glamorgan. Young lived the latter part of his life in Penarth and died in the town.


See also

* :People from Penarth


References

{{Reflist Penarth