You may have read in the press and on social media that pop musician Gerry Marsden died on 3rd January. His group ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ was founded in 1959 and were at one time almost as famous as their contemporaries and fellow Liverpudlians The Beatles. Their songs included ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ and a cover of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ (from the musical ‘Carousel’), the latter of course became the anthem of Liverpool FC. Given his strong identification with Liverpool, it may come as a surprise that at one time Gerry lived in Sunbury. He bought Springfield House in Springfield Grove (off Green Street, near St. Ignatius church) from another pop superstar, Tom Jones, who had moved there from Manygate Lane, Shepperton in 1967. Apparently a well-known singer of an earlier era, Dickie Valentine, previously lived at the same house after moving from Sunmead Cottage in Green Street.
(thanks to the Sunbury & Shepperton Local History Society)