Harry Greene (television personality)
| Harry Greene | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Henry Howard Greenhouse 21 November 1923 Rhymney, near Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Wales |
| Died | 4 March 2013 (aged 89) |
| Residence | Stratford, London, England |
| Education | Rhymney Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Newport College of Art (now the University of South Wales), Cardiff College of Art, Cardiff University |
| Occupation | Draughtsman, teacher, actor, diy expert |
| Years active | 1939–2013 |
| Known for | UK's first television DIY expert |
| Notable work | Handy Round the Home, Dream Home, DIY SOS, Changing Rooms, House Doctor, DIY Challenge, QVC UK |
| Spouse(s) | Marjie Lawrence (1955–2010) Her death |
| Children | Sarah, Laura, Robin |
Harry Greene (21 November 1923 – 4 March 2013) was a Welsh television personality, known for being the UK's first television DIY expert. During his lifetime, Greene wrote over 23 books, presented more than 2,000 DIY programmes, and via his building company had provided bespoke construction services to over 32 stars of stage and television.
Henry Howard Greenhouse was born in Rhymney, near Caerphilly (then in Monmouthshire), to former Jack Greenhouse and his wife Una. His father, who had returned from fighting in World War I suffering from mustard gas poisoning, and mother were interested in the arts, poetry and music and regularly entertained at their home in Colenso Terrace. From aged 10, Greene would spend time on weekends with his uncle, a maintenance man and electrical engineer at Bargoed's Top Pit, who taught Greene to use tools properly.
After passing the eleven-plus exam, he was accepted at Rhymney Grammar School, where in 1936 he won the National Eisteddfod under-17s prize for drawing. He was taught sport by Olympic swimmer C. B. Thomas, under whom Greene became a record-breaking runner at county level, gifted rugby union player, and champion junior Welsh long jumper.
While training as an engineering draughtsman at Newport College of Art (now the University of South Wales) in 1939, he won a scholarship to study Architecture, Interior and Illustrative Design at Cardiff College of Art, with final year at Cardiff University. However, due to the outbreak of World War II he had to delay starting the course, and was subsequently attached to REME as a draughtsman, working on classified tank design for the Russian front. His father died from the effects of his earlier mustard gas poisoning in 1943.
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