Sport

Jack Besford began work as a miner on his 13th birthday, and went on to become a leading trade unionist.

Jack Besford was a dentist and amateur swimmer, who became British and European swimming champion.

Two Besfords carried the Olympic torch in 2012: Jack past the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle, and Siobhan at Aberystwyth.

Swimming correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Pat Besford wrote the first Encyclopaedia of Swimming in 1971.

Willy Lyons worked as a milk roundsman and subsequently as the driver of the funeral hearse. He was a sportsman who earned money as both a professional footballer and a professional sprinter.

Ted Besford moved to Australia with his parents at the age of 10. He went on to be an Australian rules footballer and cricketer.

George Besford was born at Fenrother, Northumberland, and worked as a coal miner. He was actively involved in boat racing.