h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know you can't include absolutely *everybody* who might be in any way famous - but would I be right in thinking that Alan Bennett hails from Bradford? If so, is there any particular reason why he doesn't appear here? Just curious

Excellent article by the way - well done.

Hmm, that's interesting! Certainly I have nothing against Mr Bennett, and I would have been happy to include him in the Entry - but I didn't think he came from Bradford, and I did do some research in the main local library for the 'famous Bradfordians' section without seeing him mentioned. I suspect that if we could claim him as one of Bradford's own, then I'd know about it, because the local authority would certainly want to draw attention to the fact. As you can see from the Entry, they do like to make a fuss of local folks who've made good in the arts - an official honour for David Hockney, and a statue for JB Priestley!

I've just done a quick websearch to try to shed light on the question. There isn't much biographical stuff about Mr Bennett on the web as far as I can see, but I did find an old 'Time' magazine article that mentioned him being in Leeds as a boy. So perhaps he comes from just up the road! I will try to investigate further.

Thanks for the posting - glad you enjoyed the Entry!

I did a bit of research in a Bradford bookshop today, sneaking a look at the recently-published biography of Alan Bennett, 'Backing Into The Limelight' by Alexander Games. According to that book, Mr Bennett was born on 9 May, 1934 in his parents' home in Leeds.

So I'm afraid he's not a famous Bradfordian. He's close - but no chapati.

Thanks for doing that bit of research and letting me know. I did a bit of research and have found the book that made me think Alan Bennett was from Bradford.

In a book called "The Postcard Century" there is a postcard featuring David Hockney and Alan Bennett sitting together both in profile. The caption that goes with the postcard reads: "Here are the uncannily similar David Hockney and Alan Bennett, both sons of Bradford".

I think the author stands corrected don't you?

Maybe the author was one of those ing Southerners who think that everywhere north of Watford is the same!

But there is a very definite distinction between Bradford and Leeds. At Bradford City FC, we have some football chants that are very clear on that point!

I'm sure the football chants are *very* clear on that point.

I live in Scotland (although I identify very strongly with north of England) - you get used to being forgotten don't you? Auditions/ Conventions/ Exhibitions / Fairs - always 2 or 3 venues in "the North".

Watford's pretty far south isn't it ...