Nottingham Civic Society - Plaques on Nottingham buildings

I suppose I could say over the last ten years or so I have been plagued by plaques. I started out full of enthusiasm with what I felt was a good idea. Nottingham should have an ever-increasing set of well-designed plaques to commemorate its famous citizens and its buildings of historical, industrial or commercial importance, some of which have been demolished.

I have lost track of the number of false starts. I have been involved with several different Council departments and officers. On at least two occasions the Evening Post invited its readers to send it suggestions for Nottingham worthies and the results were published with an indication that plaques would indeed be erected. Another scheme, sponsored by a public-spirited private individual, actually started and the two plaques erected can be seen on the Bell Inn, to William Clarke, and on the railings of the Adams Building, Stoney Street, to Thomas Adams. A third plaque had a slight error and was held back.

During the last attempt to launch a programme several years ago, I had a polite row about the intended wording being inaccurate and unable to ‘get through’ I decided to pull out. I cannot say I always agreed with the public choice – looking at the selection from a visitor’s point of view.

The reason for this outburst comes from reading the June 2006 Newsletter of Leeds Civic Trust. Its leading article recounted the award of the Trust’s 100th plaque. Leeds Civic Trust actually has a Blue Plaques Scheme Administrator, Valerie P. Ives and over the last 18 years she has seen 94 plaques unveiled. She has an uncanny knack of being able, quite often, to persuade the recipients to pay for their plaque. Sometimes these unveilings become quite a social event.

Only Leeds Civic Trust itself could cap that achievement. The July issue of their Newsletter had the headline ‘Live at Leeds’ Again! The story described the background to the erection of a plaque in the Refectory of the University of Leeds to commemorate the recorded performance of ‘The Who’ on 14 February 1970, which was released as Live at Leeds and it is still considered as the best live rock album ever. Not only was the Trust surprised and delighted that Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry turned up for the unveiling ceremony but they agreed to return and perform again in the Refectory as the first date on their forthcoming world tour. This concert was celebrated with a special brochure produced by the University and a suitably inscribed tee shirt for all of those attending.

Meanwhile back in Nottingham it is only fair to say at least three plaques to my knowledge have been put in place in recent years without any clear policy and with the minimum of publicity.

One, to William Carey on a tree between Friar Lane and the Salutation Inn on Maid Marian Way replaces a plaque removed to a place of safety (Leicester, I believe) when the nearby pedestrian underpass was filled in. Another to Lord Byron, commemorating his early ‘verse’ was placed almost beyond reading height on the building that turns from Victoria Street into Pelham Street – the Swine Green of yesteryear. The third plaque was placed on the much altered but recognisable Hockley Chapel, opened on 4 April 1783 by John Wesley who preached at both services. It is so high up on the façade that only the top man of a team of tumbling clowns would be able to read it clearly!

From time to time various individuals and bodies consider commemorative plaques ‘a good thing’ but there is little movement to improve matters, to inform visitors of Nottingham’s past. For comprehensive details of the existing ‘Nottingham’s Plaques and Statues’ refer to, or better still buy, Terry Fry’s booklet of the same name which is published by the Society.

Ken Brand
Summer 2006

PLAQUES ON NOTTINGHAM’S BUILDINGS