Blue Plaques Scheme
Sir Archibald Geikie Plaque George Eliot Plaque W C Marshall Plaque Robert Lochner Plaque J W Penfold Plaque
The blue plaques scheme in London is one of the oldest of its kind in the world and has been running for over 140 years. The idea of erecting "memorial tablets" in London was first proposed in the House of Commons in 1863. There are thriving commemorative plaque schemes in Bath, Edinburgh, Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester and elsewhere.
The Haslemere scheme was re-introduced by the Society in 2007.
To date we have over 30 potential candidates for plaques and we are in the process of evaluating the best candidates for early recognition. One of the challenges we face is that many of our best known former residents lived in large houses which are out of sight and in areas with limited public access. We are also working with the Haslemere Educational Museum to ensure that the information we have so far gathered is accurate, and to identify other candidates for recognition.
We have established a number of criteria for our plaques:
A figure must:
- have been deceased for twenty years or have passed the centenary of their birth, whichever is the earlier.
- be considered eminent by a majority of members of their own profession; have made an outstanding contribution to human welfare or happiness; have resided in a locality for a significant period, in time or importance, within their life and work;
- be recognisable to the well-informed passer-by, or deserve national recognition.
- not be commemorated by the Society with more than two plaques
If you think your house might be a candidate for the scheme, or know of notable residents whom you think we may not be aware of, please let us know. Chris Harrison is leading this initiative and can be contacted at chrisaharrison@gmail.com