17 March saw the launch of the latest Blue Plaques by West Northamptonshire Council as part of their “Histories of Northamptonshire” project. Eight new blue plaques were unveiled, nominated by local residents and organisations to honour people who made a significant contribution to West Northamptonshire during their lives.[1]
Blue plaques, those iconic circular markers adorning buildings across the UK, are more than just simple signs. They are testaments to the people and events that have shaped our communities, acting as symbols of both heritage and notoriety.
Unveiling Layers of Heritage
Blue plaques, or plaques honouring significant people, is not a recent idea. William Ewart MP raised the possibility of having inscriptions on “the houses in London which have been in habited by celebrated persons” in 1863[2]. The scheme was brought to life by the London School of Arts three years later in 1867 with the erecting of plaques commemorating the poet Lord Byron and Napoleon III. The house in Cavendish Square where Lord Byron’s plaque was placed was demolished in 1889 making Napoleon III’s plaque on King Street the oldest to survive.[3] Although the earliest plaques were blue, it was expensive to produce and for a number of years they were brown, before returning to the recognisable blue plaque in 1938.[4]
In towns and cities across the country there are a number of initiatives which place these plaques to remind us of local industries, cultural movements, and political events that might otherwise be forgotten. For example, a plaque marking the birthplace of a prominent local figure in an industrial town speaks volumes about the community’s past, its resilience, and the contribution its people have made to the wider world.
One of the aspects of these blue plaques is their ability to uncover layers of heritage often hidden beneath the modern appearance of our towns and cities. They connect us directly to the past, reminding us that ordinary buildings often hold extraordinary stories. A simple row of terraced houses, when marked with a plaque, transforms into the home where a famous author penned their masterpiece, a scientist made a groundbreaking discovery, or an artist found inspiration.
West Northamptonshire Blue Plaque Scheme
West Northamptonshire now have twelve blue plaques as part of their scheme. The first part of the scheme was launched in 2020 with members of the public being invited to nominate people for the scheme.[5] The criteria was that the person had to be deceased for 15 years, have a strong connection to Northampton, and have enhanced the town’s reputation to the wider community. The original four plaques were installed in 2021 commemorating the shoe manufacturer, William Barratt, Mayor of Northampton and Radical Reformer, Joseph Gurney, Peter the Saracen, the maker of Cross bows, and anti-poverty campaigner and supporter of adult suffrage, Rose Scott.
The latest scheme was launched in 2025, and the criteria widened to across West Northamptonshire and the person had to be deceased for twenty years. Again, there needed to be a demonstration of a strong connection with the location and a significant contribution to the area. The judging panel were asked to consider over 60 applicants to get the final short list. With many discussions about whether they were already commemorated within the area and whether the nominees had made a signification contribution to the area. It was also necessary to consider whether, where the nominees had recommended for the plaque was viable in terms of gaining permission, particularly as many suggestions involved houses which were obviously private residences. Nominees were scored based on these categories and then rated accordingly.
From these, eight significant people were nominated. There were
- Stanley Unwin (1911-2002), comedian and broadcaster – plaque placed at 91 High Street, Long Buckby
- Wenham Joseph Bassett-Lowke, Model Engineer (1877-1953) – plaque placed at 78 Derngate
- Harriett May Nicholls (1884-1965, social reformer and Northampton’s first woman to serve a full term as mayor – plaque placed at 79 Southampton Road, Far Cotton
- Tom Osbourne Robinson (1904-1976), theatrical designer and artist – plaque placed at 62 Derngate
- Alfred Cockerill (1842-1927), philanthropist, helped secure the future of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club – plaque placed at Old School House, Billing Road
- Jane Leeson (c.1560-1648), philanthropist who founded a free school for poor children in Abthorpe – Plaque placed on the Old School, Abthorpe
- James Gribble (1868-1934), trade unionist and social activists – plaque placed at the old Pioneer Co-operative Boot Works, now known as Eaton House, 141 Clare Street
- Joseph George Grosse (1861-1939), cycle maker and motor manufacturer – plaque placed at 193 Weedon Road.
If you are out and about in the area, remember to look up at the buildings and learn about the people from our past and the remarkable contributions these individuals made to the the local communities.
- [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4n8139gxo
- [2] Hansard HC Deb 17 July 1863 vol 172 cc986-7
- [3] https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/about-blue-plaques/history-of-blue-plaques/
- [4] https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/about-blue-plaques/changing-face-of-blue-plaques/
- [5][5] https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/who-would-you-nominate-for-a-blue-plaque-tribute-in-northampton-2998141
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