REPORT 2010-2011  

After some years in gestation a Blue Plaques scheme was initiated by the Beeston and District Civic Society about two years ago with the aim of celebrating people and places in and around Beeston.  Coincidentally, at about the same time, the Beeston and District Local History Society and others were also considering the plaque idea and this common interest has developed into a successful collaborative venture comprising members drawn from the Beeston and District Civic Society, the Beeston and District Local History Society, the Stapleford and District Local History Society, and the Bramcote Conservation Society.  All benefit from the exposure this is bringing to each other’s activities and to a wider local community.

The Group is likely to have a limited life as there are obvious limits to the numbers of people and places that can be celebrated in a greater Beeston area. We are broadly confined to Attenborough, Beeston, Bramcote, Chilwell and Stapleford.  That said there are no shortages of suggestions.

Our first plaque commemorating Thomas Barton was unveiled by Sir Neil Cossons at Barton House in August 2010. Sir Neil Cossons is a former Chairman of English Heritage, a Beeston man and now Honorary President of the Beeston and District Local History Society.

In this 2010-2011 year, the Group has unveiled a plaque to Arthur Mee in March and to Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren in May, both in Stapleford.  Beeston Village Cross and Arthur Cossons – Sir Neil’s dad - were also commemorated in May in Church Road, Beeston.  A plaque to General Ireton was quietly fixed in Attenborough in July; while Thomas Humber was celebrated with great ceremony in Humber Road, Beeston, in August.  Since then we have unveiled a plaque to John Clifford at the Church House Nursery in Nether Street, Beeston, in September.  Last month, Jason Booth, at that time British and Commonwealth super bantamweight champion, unveiled another to Bendigo on the site of Bendigo’s cottage beside Anglo Scotian Mills on Wollaton Road. 

A plaque to Edward Lowe, astronomer, botanist and founder of the Meteorological Society, has since  been put in place at Broadgate House; bringing the total so far to ten.  

The plaques themselves are locally produced in enamelled cast aluminium by Leander Architectural in Dove Holes, Derbyshire. When fixed, they become the responsibility of the property owner.  Diameter varies between 14” and 18”, about the size of a large dinner plate. The cost of supply, delivery and fixing is approximately £300 and, whenever possible, each is self-financing. 

Unveiling ceremonies have generated much publicity for each of the collaborating societies and supporters; highlighting a proud and often undervalued past in the greater Beeston area. The Humber event drew more than 220 people and Bendigo sixty. We are all making new friends.

Further plaques in preparation will mark Beeston’s Manor House on Middle Street. The home of Albert Hall, Chief Engineer to the Shell Filling Factory at Orchard Cottage in Chilwell, (close to the seat of the explosion on 1 July 1918) is another candidate; possibly linked to one in St Mary’s Churchyard, Attenborough,  commemorating those killed that day. We are also discussing possible tributes to Pearson and the Beeston Lads Club; Francis Wilkinson of Anglo-Scotian Mills; St John’s School and the Wesleyan Chapel, in Stapleford. In Beeston we are looking at West End House and Colonel B D Shaw. We are considering Banker Smith and Thomas Malthus, and explanatory material to give more information about the people and places celebrated.

Peter Robinson, Chairman of the Blue Plaques Group

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