Value for money street plaques on offer

Published: 2 December, 2010

• THE Marchmont Association’s commemorative plaque scheme has been commended by English Heritage as a good exemplar of an independent scheme. 

To date we have installed four plaques to notable former residents of our area, including Kenneth Williams and Percy Bysshe Shelley, all of which were funded by various generous donors.

Our research has uncovered more notable people worthy of commemorating, but we need to raise the necessary funds to cover the manufacture and installation, the cost of which averages £1,200 per plaque. 

This may sound a lot but it is about a third of the total cost of an English Heritage plaque, so it’s very good value for money.

Which brings me to my reason for writing.

We have secured a generous sponsor for a plaque we plan to install to the renowned actor and playwright Emlyn Williams, but we have not found a sponsor for two further plaques, so we are launching a public appeal to help fund this work.

All donations will be much appreciated, no matter how small and you can choose the plaque you would prefer your donation to support.

The choice is between the renowned classical musician Sir John Barbirolli and the acclaimed literary critic and poet Sir William Empson, both of whom lived in Marchmont Street at key periods in their illustrious careers.

If you would like to make a donation or to find out more about our plaque scheme please email: ideas@march montassociation.org.uk  

RICCI DE FREITAS
Chair, Marchmont Association