Well known Prestonians

A few well known people have been born in or around Preston.

Perhaps many weren't that well known but did good things, or even bad things. Should you give publicity to those who did bad things, there are none listed below.

In no particular order:

Sir Tom Finney, footballer, PNE and England. A legend in his time. Playing for Preston his whole career and never being booked. One of the best ever English wing players. One of the few people who made their name and never left Preston.

Andrew Flintoff MBE, cricket, Lancashire and England captain. Presenter on Top Gear and more lately his own series 'Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams' coaching youths in Preston and taking them to India in 2024.

Nick Park, animator, was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1958. Probably the most famous Prestonian for his animations Wallace and Gromit, winner of several academy awards.

John Inman, actor. Best known for playing Mr Humphries in 'Are You Being Served' which was one of the BBC's most popular shows at the time. Catch phrase 'I'm free'.

Tim Farron MP, ex-leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale. Having been a Councillor in South Ribble.

Richard Arkwright, cotton inventor, born in Preston in 1732. Invented a powered cotton spinning machine and had to leave town. Heading for a rural area in Derbyshire where he put his ideas to work.

Joseph Livesey, first leader of the Temperance Society, was born in Walton le Dale near Preston on 5 March 1794

Mark Lawrenson, footballer and TV pundit on BBC Match of the Day, Liverpool and Ireland.

Helen Clitheroe, nee Pattinson, runner.

Phil Jones, footballer, Manchester United.

Mike Summerbee, former Manchester City winger. Apearing 452 times for City in the First Division. 8 England caps.

Gordon Milne, footballer,made over 400 appearances including 236 for Liverpool and holds the record for being Coventry City’s longest serving manager and was the son of Jimmy Milne who played for PNE.

James Askew, the founder of Askews Library Services

Edith Rigby - women's equality movement, born in Preston 1872.

Albert Edward Calvert; trumpeter, born 15th March 1922, born in Preston

Samuel Ryder 24 March 1858 - 2 January 1936: born Walton Le Dale. Donated the gold trophy for the first biennial golf championship between the best professional golfers in the United States and the United Kingdom in 1927. (thanks to Steve Heaton for the info).

Edmund Harris, 1804-77, lawyer. Sponsor of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston that fulfilled his fathers quest to create a museum in Preston.. The most prominent building in Preston and a centre of culture.

There are a number of people who did great things in Preston but weren't born in or around Preston. Such as John Horrocks.