Claims to Fame
Famous People
People from Goole regard the town with a perverse kind of pride, nobody really wants to live there, but they still have affection for the place. The following sons and daughters of the town have gone out into the wider world and made the place proud:
- Angela Brownridge - Classical pianist
- Gavin Bryars - Composer of avant-garde music
- Roy Clarke - Writer of the TV series 'Last of the Summer Wine' and many other productions
- Noel Edmonds - The Swap-Shop roadshow once came to the leisure centre.
- Lesley Garrett - The Doncaster Diva lived in Thorne (has the same dialling code as Goole!)
- Alan Hardwick - Calendar presenter who once lived nearby
- Jimmy Mann - Leeds United player from the early 70's
- Grace Mulligan - This TV cook lived in Hook
- Jamie Noon - Newcastle Falcons and England rugby player
- Zoe Smith's Dad - Star pupil of Goole Secondary School with a scholarship to Cambridge
- Roger Tuby - The owner of large funfairs in the North of England live in Goole
- Robbie Ullathorne - Footballing star of Norwich City and Leicester
Famous Facts
Also, Goole itself has cropped up in several famous places:
- Goole Docks make a (very) brief appearance in the film The Dambusters
- Parts of the D-Day landing Mulberry Harbour were made in Goole and floated down to France
- Goole was once voted the most boring town in the country by the Daily Express.
- Goole was the subject of the short Peter Greenway film call 'Goole by Numbers.'
- Act 2 of the hit comedy "Noises Off" is set in the Theatre Royal, Goole
- There is an Australian satirical magazine called 'Goole'
- There is a street in East Manchester called 'Goole Street'
Mr / Mrs / Ms Goole
Some people have 'Goole' in their surname. Should you be on this list too?
- Inspector Goole from 'An Inspector Calls' by JB. Priestley
- Marco Goole, Antwerp, Belgium
- Caption Tim Goole, Firefighter, Chili Fire Department, Wisconsin, USA
- Warden Drumgoole (Donald Sutherland) from 'Lock Up'
Visitor Comments
Posted by Robert Ward at 20/05/2005 13:38
What about Patrick Dromgoole?
Posted by Carol Telfer at 22/05/2005 08:16
What about Roy Clarke for your famous people page?
He deserves recognition for writing Last Of The Summer Wine, Open All Hours, & Keeping Up Appearances etc.!
He deserves recognition for writing Last Of The Summer Wine, Open All Hours, & Keeping Up Appearances etc.!
Posted by Robert Ward at 22/05/2005 15:02
Two top railway writers have surnames only one letter different from Goole: C.T. Goode ('The Wakefield Pontefract and Goole Railway') and Ken Hoole ('Railways in Yorkshire 2 - the East Riding').
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 22/05/2005 20:42
I think we'll have to restrict the Mr / Mrs / Ms category to containing the whole word 'goole' (eg. there are over 200 'Pooles' in the electoral register)
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 22/05/2005 20:45
A link for Roy Clarke is now added. Some of his charaters were supposedly inspired by people sitting at a Goole park bench. (See under Boothferry in the Villages section)
Posted by Alex Forsyth at 05/07/2005 00:49
I used to sail to Goole from Selby and loved the Macintosh and the Lowther - oh and Dock Tavern. Few pints then new pilot then on to sea. Wonderful town.
Posted by Andrew Goole at 22/07/2005 02:46
Captain Tim Goole is actually from Rochester, New York.
Posted by Stephen Walker at 16/12/2005 00:45
What about John Kaye, the most famous of all from Goole. He won the FA cup medal with West Bromwich Albion in 1968 and managed Hull City for a number of seasons. There's still relatives of his in Goole. (i.e me-mum's side)
Don't forget Kerry Godliman, who starred in Spoons, who has relatives from Goole (i.e me-Dad's side)
Don't forget Kerry Godliman, who starred in Spoons, who has relatives from Goole (i.e me-Dad's side)
Posted by pedro at 17/04/2006 20:08
Dont forget Tony Melody the actor. Melodys pub corner of bridge st and albert st got its name from his parents
Posted by Darren at 06/09/2006 14:19
Can't beleive that the time Goole was mentioned on Coronation Street isn't on, when Curlys girlfriend left him to come and take over a supermarket in Goole.
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 06/09/2006 20:18
Ah but it is! Search for GOTW News
Posted by Emma at 09/09/2006 22:24
U forgot about Jamie Noon the Newcastle Falcons Centre who was born in goole and i think he now plays for england.
Posted by jon at 08/10/2006 20:52
dont forget the time goole docks was on the telly when selwyn froggett was practicing his welly throwing.
Posted by charlotte at 12/10/2006 14:52
its not fair for the newspaper to say goole is the most boring town in goole?? it aint!! get the F.A.Q's right!!
Posted by Elaine Jones at 09/11/2006 22:48
There's Dromgoole haulage contractors in Broughton, near Chester.
Posted by Barbara Hudson at 18/12/2006 22:48
what about Johnny Morris: I remember him coming, and Jimmy Saville gave out the trophies in West Park once
Posted by Barbara Hudson at 18/12/2006 22:50
I also remember Michael Bentine asking (at Weston super Mare or somewhere else equally sissy down south) "is anyone here from Goole?"
Posted by Peter Scott at 14/04/2007 22:34
What about Bob Suter the goalkeeper who played for Goole Town and then signed for Halifax Town. On 20 April 1929 at the age of 48 years and 9 months, he became the oldest Englishman to play in a football league match. The record still stands.
Posted by Andy King at 19/04/2007 22:14
Not forgetting the Irish international Tony Galvin who played for Goole Town in the 1970s before signing for Spurs!
Posted by Emma Judson at 02/07/2007 19:26
We must mention Ms Straken from the really wild show? Daughter of doctor straken of hook?
Posted by Stuart (Webmaster) at 03/07/2007 00:32
Surely an urban legend?
Posted by jim at 10/07/2007 23:22
I remember the late Les Dawson comedian stating his mother in law was born in a tree at goole before moving to the Arcade.
Posted by jack tar at 10/07/2007 23:29
I remember with fondness sailing out of goole in the 1950s and meeting all the dock fairies.No other port in England had dock fairies like Goole.Sadly Im told they are now extinct and replaced by tattoed slappers
Posted by Robert Ward at 12/07/2007 21:09
I carry in my head a couple of occasions comedians used Goole. Les Dawson once started off a story by saying it was about an incident that happened once when he was working as a wash leather ringer-outer for a one armed window cleaner in Goole. The other is a Two Ronnies news, or rather weather, item - it’ll be dry in Rye, cool in Goole, choking in Woking – and if you live in Lissingdown, you’d better take an umbrella.
Posted by pedro at 15/07/2007 20:19
Not forgetting the Beatles before they became famous crashing their car at Burtons corner on Rawcliffe Rd.George Harrison appeared at Goole Magistrates court pleaded Guilty to careless driving and was duly fined.At the time they were returning to Liverpool after appearing in Hull.Pre M62 days.
Posted by Robert Ward at 18/07/2007 16:26
"Burton's corner"? We always called it Paragon Corner after the Paragon Garage there.
Posted by jim at 24/07/2007 22:51
mmm lets call Jack Fultons Holts Garage from the 40s.Help the aged Kitwoods cafe.Super drug Silver library not forgetting ATS Tyres in Carlisle St Wardle Garage
Posted by pete at 20/08/2007 17:43
Sunday Sport Aug 19th Elvis found living in an old folks home in goole.His second wife Dot confirms its true,Says they met in Goole workingmans club.Photo of him in paper hes a dead ringer
take a look
take a look
Posted by pete at 30/08/2007 20:59
Not forgetting richard turpin a traveller and a horse thief who lived for a time in Eastrington.He was hung at York for theft and rustling of cattle etc.Hence the notorious Dick Turpin evolved,
Posted by Paul Coumis at 21/09/2007 16:21
How can anyone forget our most famous Son born Weston-s-Mare 25-02-73 only Full Football International born in our Town and County(Somerset)played in all divisions for Bristol Rovers,Crystal Palace,Sheffield United,Manchester City,Burnley,Nottingham Forest,and now in his twilight years Tranmere Rovers,and played 15 times for Wales, of course its Gareth Taylor who went to WINDWHISTLE School and BROADOAK School.
Posted by Gail at 24/09/2007 12:14
And much more recently, Graham Fellows (aka John Shuttleworth) has a whole character from Goole in his stage show. The character is Dave Tordoff, a self-made businessman from Goole.
To quote Dave "if you need a new concrete floor, or if you want to subcontract for me, or you've any ideas on how I can get into after-dinner speaking, don't hesitate to get in touch".
Dave's 2006 Edinburgh Festival show was called " Neighbours From Hull".
To quote Dave "if you need a new concrete floor, or if you want to subcontract for me, or you've any ideas on how I can get into after-dinner speaking, don't hesitate to get in touch".
Dave's 2006 Edinburgh Festival show was called " Neighbours From Hull".
Posted by Pete smith at 24/10/2007 16:37
i rememember Jimmy Saville coming to Goole in 1965 and he crowned the goole gala queen in the west park..the carnival is over bye the seekers was ten no1 in the hit parade..but even better what about when england all stars played man united at the goole plesure grounds in the seventies..who remembers that.
Posted by Pete Smith at 24/10/2007 16:39
yes i can spell lol... its my sticky keyboard
Posted by Anthony Richardson at 01/11/2007 22:32
Yeah i remember that the England all stars match. Wow thats a blast from the past. What a great day out that was. Can anyone remember some of the players names? Was one of them Charley Drake. How about the time when a couple of the guys from Emmerdale farm came to Goole to open a shop at what was Barry's fishing tackle shop on Pasture road.
Posted by paul holmes at 14/11/2007 20:23
does anyone remember tommy marshall 2nd cook and baker with shaw savill he was on the m.v. cretic in1968.
Posted by Jamie at 22/11/2007 15:38
Goole made a brief apperance in last weeks episode of Top Gear, when James May drove an Alfa Romeo from Hessle foreshore to Barton south bank without using the Humber bridge.
Posted by Alan Anderson at 29/12/2007 19:42
Reference Paul Homes 14.11.'07 and Tommy Marshall.My brother -in-law Thomas Herbert Marshall worked for Shaw Savill as a steward/cook,he would be about 19yrs. old in 1968.Is this the same lad ,if so I can tell you more.He was 'Deep Sea' for many years.
Posted by keith walton at 30/12/2007 17:09
If you look at the front of Manchester Victoria railway station, among the famous international destinations, historicaly depicted in stained glass is, yes realy, "Goole"
Posted by Roger Sewell at 21/03/2008 20:19
Can my wife Chris and I be considered for the Claim to Fame section?
In July / August 2005 we became the only people, so far, to walk round the 600 mile boundary of Yorkshire. We live in Goole.
In July / August 2005 we became the only people, so far, to walk round the 600 mile boundary of Yorkshire. We live in Goole.
Posted by Dave Eggs at 05/07/2008 16:55
Hey, i`ve got a claim to fame too. I live in Barmby, and i visited Goole just the other day, for the very first time in my life, and i`ve lived in Barmby for nearly 60 years!!
What a great place Goole is, i loved it. Especially the indoor flea market, great stuff.
What a great place Goole is, i loved it. Especially the indoor flea market, great stuff.
Posted by Gary MASTERMAN at 06/07/2008 09:19
Just discovered this site and I'm proud to say I lived in Goole and remember so many of the reminiscences quoted thus far. Like when George Harrison went to Court, Jimmy Saville in 1965 (I got a signed photo of him), John Kaye, when he played for West Brom (I lived 3 doors from his niece, Diane, in Fourth Ave); all the Les Dawson and Two Ronnies' jokes and the time when Bill Grundy and "People and Places" came to Goole docks. Did I dream it or did a chimpanzee open Goole's first supermarket at the site of the old Cinema next to the Market?
More recently, I can report a model of a nineteenth century wooden vessel displayed for a number of years on the wall of the English style pub in Jupiter's casino on Australia's Gold Coast (near Brisbane). The vessel had the word "Goole" clearly inscribed on the hull with the year it was launched. It was, as I say, displayed for many years for the enjoyment of the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the casino every year. I was there myself only a month ago and, alas, the pub has now been refurbished and the vessel has gone. If anybody in Australia knows where it is please let me know, I'd like to buy it.
More recently, I can report a model of a nineteenth century wooden vessel displayed for a number of years on the wall of the English style pub in Jupiter's casino on Australia's Gold Coast (near Brisbane). The vessel had the word "Goole" clearly inscribed on the hull with the year it was launched. It was, as I say, displayed for many years for the enjoyment of the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the casino every year. I was there myself only a month ago and, alas, the pub has now been refurbished and the vessel has gone. If anybody in Australia knows where it is please let me know, I'd like to buy it.
Posted by Gail at 23/07/2008 16:41
Goole's born and bred famous folkie, Chris Sherburn, played at the Proms in the Albert Hall on Sunday July 20th, 2008. The concert was televised live that evening on BBC Four and he was on stage for the first half hour with Bella Hardy.
It's currently on BBC iPlayer and will be for the next couple of weeks, I think.
It's currently on BBC iPlayer and will be for the next couple of weeks, I think.
Posted by Mark Bristow (b. Goole 1963, Pasture Rd & Alexandr at 24/07/2008 09:39
Goole’s Beatles-linked ‘Claim to Fame’
George Harrison: "There were a lot of good times in the van; all the rough-and-tumble stuff that happens. We had a good crash once. We were coming over the Pennines, the roads were icy, and I happened to be the driver. I was driving pretty quickly as we came through what turned out to be Goole in Yorkshire. Everything was fine until suddenly I went into a right-hand turn. It was a bit sharper than it looked and we went up onto the grass bank, which then sloped down to the left. The whole van tipped as we went down the embankment, at the bottom of which was a wire-mesh fence with concrete posts. We bounced along--bump, bump, bump--knocking into all these posts, and finally came to a stop with Neil sitting in the front seat next to me, howling, 'Ow, ow, my arm!' The accident ripped the filler cap off and the petrol was pouring out. We scrambled out and had to shove t-shirts and things into the hole to try and stop the flow of petrol. We started to push the van back up on the road, when, out of nowhere, came 'Allo, 'allo, what's all this then?' It was a cop, and he booked us for crashing. A couple of months later I went to court. Brian came with me for moral support (He did stand by his lads!). But I think they banned me for driving for three months."
PS George was, I believe, a notoriously erratic driver! Scene of crash: Greenawn Corner, near to the old Burton's factory. If you look carefully you can still see the repairs made to the brick wall following the crash. Surely there should be a 'Blue Plaque'?
Source:
http://rockindownthehighway.blogspot.com/2008/04/rockin-up-and-down-great-britain-and.html
George Harrison: "There were a lot of good times in the van; all the rough-and-tumble stuff that happens. We had a good crash once. We were coming over the Pennines, the roads were icy, and I happened to be the driver. I was driving pretty quickly as we came through what turned out to be Goole in Yorkshire. Everything was fine until suddenly I went into a right-hand turn. It was a bit sharper than it looked and we went up onto the grass bank, which then sloped down to the left. The whole van tipped as we went down the embankment, at the bottom of which was a wire-mesh fence with concrete posts. We bounced along--bump, bump, bump--knocking into all these posts, and finally came to a stop with Neil sitting in the front seat next to me, howling, 'Ow, ow, my arm!' The accident ripped the filler cap off and the petrol was pouring out. We scrambled out and had to shove t-shirts and things into the hole to try and stop the flow of petrol. We started to push the van back up on the road, when, out of nowhere, came 'Allo, 'allo, what's all this then?' It was a cop, and he booked us for crashing. A couple of months later I went to court. Brian came with me for moral support (He did stand by his lads!). But I think they banned me for driving for three months."
PS George was, I believe, a notoriously erratic driver! Scene of crash: Greenawn Corner, near to the old Burton's factory. If you look carefully you can still see the repairs made to the brick wall following the crash. Surely there should be a 'Blue Plaque'?
Source:
http://rockindownthehighway.blogspot.com/2008/04/rockin-up-and-down-great-britain-and.html
Posted by x x x H a n n a H x x x at 30/09/2009 19:11
Peter Andre came through Goole on a train the other day. Aparantly loads of people were getting their photos took with him. =)
Posted by once a Goolie at 12/11/2009 15:06
I remember John Kaye lived with his mam in a street just off Percy Street. John played for Scunny and then joined West Brom for forty odd grand a fortune in them days. He won the Football league cup in 1966 and was runner up in 1967 and 1970, plus won an FA cup medal with WBA in 1968. Then went on to manage Hull City in 1974 to 1977. A true Goole legend and no mistake.
Posted by C.A at 15/01/2010 19:59
What about when the football showbiz XI came to play at the pleasure grounds Tommy Steele, Mike and Bernie Winters? Jess Conrad and others whose names escape me and so does the year possibly late 50s. Tommy Steele shook hands with my little sis also the group "the in crowd" with hit record played at the baths hall i was there and spoke to their manager for some time. Anyone else remember showbiz XI and "the in crowd" in Goole?
Posted by Willie Denton at 10/05/2010 18:20
I saw Dale Winton coming out of Peacocks the other day. He was clutching a pair of large mens briefs, and was being chased by a very burly security guard........... allegedly!!
Posted by Bill at 14/05/2010 23:47
C.A, yes I remember that Showbiz football match. We looked through one of the open windows to the changing rooms and asked a semi clad Mike (or Bernie) Winters if we could have his autograph. To which he replied 'do you mind'. Which I suppose was quite restrained in the circumstances. I also remember when a regional TV news programme did a feature on Goole docks and one of the glamorous celebrities there was a singer called Sheila Southern. I got her signed photo. About ten years ago I saw her in a Jazz club in Knightsbridge, She was still singing but knocking back a lot of whisky. Bill
Bill
Bill
Posted by cynthia (firth) mcconnell at 27/06/2010 00:51
Well, lets see if any of you lads remember me, (or lasses) can't believe there is a "Goole on the web. I have lived in America (currently in Oregon) since 1966, lived in Italy for 4 years before that. I lived not too far from John Kaye on Percy Street, my Mum and Dad, owned a little grocery shop, they had a large shop before that on Bridge street, and a wet fish shop next door to that. They eventually closed those shops because a lot of their trade was from the big ships that used to come into the river (or dock?) near us, but then it was closed off, don't know why.
They then converted our house to a shop. right across from another shop on the corner, cannot remember the ladies name that owned it ( do any of you readers know? ) maybe it was Harrington or something. (darn it I should have kept my diary going. On the other corner lived Wyn, husband Noel, who had a daughter, Judy or Judith that I used to take to town in her pram on a Saturday. I used to hang out with Joyce Thompson, and Elizabeth Leatham. I was dating? a Graham who lived in Brough, where I was working at then, Blackburn Aircraft He was so cute and shy, are you out there Graham??
"Dot Appleyard lived next door to our shop, had a daughter Christine, Dot and I did correspond a bit with Christmas cards etc.,
I am currently single, my son Stuart lives in Korea with his cute little wife, they both teach English, they will be here for for 5 weeks this July, Yey! My daughter Emilly has two of the cutest and nicest little girls (no bragging here) 3yrs and 7mths.
Well, hope some one out there remembers me.....Cynthia
They then converted our house to a shop. right across from another shop on the corner, cannot remember the ladies name that owned it ( do any of you readers know? ) maybe it was Harrington or something. (darn it I should have kept my diary going. On the other corner lived Wyn, husband Noel, who had a daughter, Judy or Judith that I used to take to town in her pram on a Saturday. I used to hang out with Joyce Thompson, and Elizabeth Leatham. I was dating? a Graham who lived in Brough, where I was working at then, Blackburn Aircraft He was so cute and shy, are you out there Graham??
"Dot Appleyard lived next door to our shop, had a daughter Christine, Dot and I did correspond a bit with Christmas cards etc.,
I am currently single, my son Stuart lives in Korea with his cute little wife, they both teach English, they will be here for for 5 weeks this July, Yey! My daughter Emilly has two of the cutest and nicest little girls (no bragging here) 3yrs and 7mths.
Well, hope some one out there remembers me.....Cynthia
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