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Southern Broxtowe Blue Plaque Scheme 2009 – 2016

The scheme was a truly collaborative venture driven by a small group of volunteers working together over seven years, with representatives from the region’s local history societies, the Bramcote Conservation Society, and us.

The area covered included Attenborough, Beeston, Bramcote, Chilwell, and Toton; all to the south-west of Nottingham in the southern quarter of the Broxtowe Borough Council area, where each of the participating societies are active.  These plaques celebrate achievement and local identity.

Why Blue?

Blue plaques’ blueness was first made standard in 1921, by London County Council (LCC), mainly because it was felt that blue stood out best against the London streetscape – it certainly stands out against brick, and pale render. They do look good against the Beeston streetscape, too.

Beeston’s Blue Plaques
Ours are produced locally in enamelled cast aluminium by Leander Architectural of Dove Holes, Derbyshire, and become the responsibility of the property owner when fixed.  Diameter varies between 30cm and 46cm, (12” and 18”).

Costs of manufacture, delivery and fixing for each plaque rose from £300 to nearly £400 over the life of the project.  Research, design, administration, plaque fixing, and unveiling ceremonies have been organised by volunteers. 

Funding
Each plaque has been self-financed, being supported by donations from owners and other interested parties.  Material costs of more than £12,000 were covered in this way. 

Additional funding in excess of £3,000 has been raised to cover the separate production costs of preparing the Plaque Guide which is available from many local outlets including Beeston Library, Canlaside Heritage Centre, Pearson Centre and many others.

The Group gratefully acknowledges the help and support received from many individuals and organisations over the life of a local initiative that has brought people together in new and creative ways.  It has been a remarkable example of collaborative working between participating societies and many others that we hope will leave a lasting legacy for the Borough.

Plaque History
Plaques have played an important role in the history of the conservation movement – the concept pre-dates the foundation of both the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (1877) and The National Trust (1895).

It all began in 1863, when erecting “memorial tablets” was first proposed by William Ewart MP in the House of Commons. The first plaque was for Nottingham’s own: Lord Byron, but all trace was lost with the building’s demolition in 1889. The Blue Plaques scheme we know across the country today began in London in 1866, when the earliest plaques were blue. They were commissioned by the Society of Arts. Since 1900, London Blue Plaques has been run by London County Council, and the Greater London Council. In 1986 English Heritage became custodian of the scheme and the rest, as they say, is history…

Such is the success of the concept of marking history with Blue Plaques that councils, groups, and societies up and down the country started their own schemes, and there is now even a National one developed and led by Historic England.

Clearly this recognises that people value recording local heritage, and the benefit creating pride of place and improving people’s connection with where they live is well documented.

More information about the history of London’s Blue plaques can be found here.

More information on national, and international. plaque schemes can be found here

Plaques for Women