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Interesting articles

This page highlights some of the curiosities that can be found in the articles about Besfords.

Strongman #

Samson Besford the strongman had a hobby of collecting mangles. He is featured in a 2015 mural in Sunderland.

Mural of Samson Besford
Mural of Samson Besford, Athol Road, Hendon, Sunderland

Cinema pioneer #

George Besford (1871–1938) started out as a shipbuilder, but went on to be a leading figure in the cinema industry.

Picturedrome, 36 Gibson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

Coal miner becomes pub landlord #

William Thomas Besford was a miner who became the landlord of The Waterloo Hotel on Queen Street, Amble, Northumberland.

The Waterloo Hotel, Amble
The Waterloo Hotel, Amble, built 1837

Record-breaking trawler skipper #

David Besford, the skipper of the St. Patrick trawler in Lowestoft, broke the record for biggest landing ever made by a beam trawler at Lowestoft.

Skipper David Besford (right), Monday 25 November 1985

Killed on a railway viaduct #

John Besford (1820–1875) was killed by a passing train while working on a viaduct.

Plessey Viaduct on the East Coast Main Line is Grade II-listed and has no parapet

Medals sold at auction #

George Bestford’s wartime medals were sold at auction in 2024. His great grandfather was William Besford, without a ’t'.

George Bestford’s medals in the auction catalogue

Crop circles #

In June 2014, a crop circle featuring a star design appeared in Besford.

Besford crop circles