Historic Blue Plaques Scheme
My first year as the Plaques Scheme Administrator included a particularly important plaque –that presented at the Trust’s 2006 AGM to my predecessor Valerie Ives in recognition of her outstanding service to the Trust. She had been the Plaques Scheme Administrator for an impressive eighteen years; only someone very foolish would try to follow that record!
The first plaque of the Trust’s year was unveiled on 8 November 2006 by Dr Ingrid Roscoe, HM Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, to commemorate the Leeds Rifles. This illustrious volunteer corps was raised by resolution of Leeds Town Council in 1859 when the Government feared a French invasion. The plaque was placed on a specially constructed column at Carlton Barracks.
The unveiling on 7 February was unusual because the plaque had been erected by Leeds Metropolitan University without ceremony in 2001. It celebrates The Grange at Becketts Park a house which was the home of John Marshall, the pioneer flax-spinner, and then the banker William Beckett. Its site was formerly a Kirkstall Abbey grange or farm. The unveiling marked Becketts Park’s hundred years as an educational establishment and was performed by the Vice Chancellor’s wife, Patricia Lee.
On 1 March 2007 Leeds Co-operative Society sponsored a plaque to commemorate its 160th anniversary. The plaque was erected in Marshall Street, Holbeck on the site of The People’s Mill, the co-operative’s first enterprise which provided working-class families with wholesome, cheap flour. The plaque was unveiled by the Society’s President, David Schofield, and then guests adjourned to the Round Foundry for lunch.
After several years in the pipeline, on 9 June we were delighted to erect a plaque commemorating Leonora Cohen MBE, the Leeds suffragette and tireless campaigner for women’s rights, most famous for smashing a showcase in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. Former Leeds West MP and electoral reform campaigner Michael Meadowcroft unveiled the plaque at xx Clarendon Road, one of Leonora’s former homes. Guests then went to the nearby Swarthmore Centre for refreshments and to hear more about Leonora’s struggle from Jill Liddington, author of Rebel Girls. We are grateful to the owner of the house, Patrick O’Toole, for being the principal sponsor and to other individuals whose donations helped make the plaque a reality.
The final plaque in a series commemorating the traction engine and road roller industry in Leeds was unveiled by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Brian Cleasby, on 17 June in Jack Lane, Hunslet. The plaque commemorating J & H McLaren Ltd’s Midland Engine Works and was positioned on a plinth made from bricks from the long-demolished factory. McLaren's was founded in 1876 and produced steamrollers, traction and ploughing engines, which were exported world wide, on the site until 1938. It was sponsored by the Leeds & District Traction Engine Club, our partner for this series of plaques.
In addition to organising plaque unveilings, the group has been busy with other matters. We greatly assisted Garforth Historical Society in the commissioning and unveiling of a plaque on 11 October for Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker. We also continued to lead plaque walks and presentations and kept up the overall care of existing plaques, including having two refurbished. The group is also researching and preparing a series of blue plaques leaflets for self-guided walks.
The group always welcomes suggestions for new plaques. But remember that we need a sponsor, a publicly prominent site closely associated with the subject and the support of the site owner. The group will attempt to find funding and secure consent if they are not readily forthcoming.
I give grateful thanks to everyone who has supported the scheme. In particular to Bob Tyrrell, whose energy and enthusiasm goes beyond his usual roles of research, presentations and, with Glenn Robinson, ongoing care of the plaques; to Roger Garnett who is completing his first year erecting the plaques and is now an essential member of the team; and to Kevin Grady whose knowledge is an excellent resource to have at our meetings. Dörte Haarhaus in the Trust office is a constant source of help and support. The work goes on with enthusiasm and we have many more plaques in the pipeline.
David Kaye
Plaques Scheme Administrator