Elsecar - Notable Persons

Notable Persons

• George Utley, Football player who turned out for Barnsley F.C., captained Sheffield United F.C. and played once England was born in Reform Row in Elsecar. He also won two FA Cup winners medals, one with each of his clubs.
• Geoffrey Howse, actor, author and local historian, as a boy in the mid-1950s until 1965, lived in Ebenezer Place (now demolished). As an actor he has appeared extensively on the stage and has made several TV appearances. As a producer and impresario he has been responsible for numerous touring plays and musicals and several pantomimes. He has written over twenty books including several about South Yorkshire, as well as various True Crime titles. He spends part of each year in the area researching and writing. Howse Street, Elsecar, was named in honour of Joseph Richard Howse (local councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate, who died prematurely in 1923), Geoffrey's great-uncle; and Howse's Corner, situated at the junction of Fitzwilliam Street and Wentworth Road, named after the Howse family home and shop, which stood on the site until the late 1960s.
• Sir Thomas Tomlinson Kt, BEM, JP (1877–1959) Tommy Tomlinson, as he was affectionately known locally, was one of the area's best known residents for over forty years and lived at 20 Fitzwilliam Street. In 1910 he became branch secretary of the Yorkshire Miners' Association and was elected to Hoyland UDC for the Elsecar ward in 1912 and to the West Riding County Council in 1921. Continuing as a Councillor for Hoyland UDC until 1940, he was Chairman in 1921-3 and 1933-5. He occupied various posts at the Wesleyan Reform Church. He became a County Alderman in 1929 and was Chairman of the West Riding County Council 1946-9 and 1952-5. He was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in 1945 and knighted in 1954.
• Arthur O'Loughlin, retired undefeated World kickboxing champion, was brought up in Hoyland and now lives in Elsecar with his wife, Christine. Arthur now owns 'Locky's', a bar in nearby Wombwell.
• Bobby Knutt, popular comedian and entertainer, has lived in Elsecar for several years.
• Laban Solomon, who lived on Church Street and died in 1903, aged 61, is buried in Elsecar churchyard beneath a kneeling angel, near the Wath Road.He was a well known composer, he being a particular favourite of Queen Victoria. He composed hymn tunes and other sacred music. He wrote tunes for such well known hymns as 'Oh, so bright' and 'All hail the power of Jesus' name,' as well as some more obscure ones, some written by the Rev E Doughty Solomon, a relation of his. For Sunday School Anniversaries he also supplied orchestral parts by post.