Green plaque awards open for nominations across Leicestershire

A call has gone out for people to nominate individuals and places important to Leicestershire’s past that they feel should be honoured with a green plaque award.

Nominations for the sixth round of the popular scheme, which recognises the impact individuals and places across the county have had on local communities, open on Tuesday, 12 November and close at midnight on Monday, 23 December. 2019

A dozen of the county’s most famous people and buildings will then be shortlisted by a panel of judges before a public vote to decide on the top six to receive a plaque.

The green plaque awards always get a fantastic response from the public, who have the opportunity to pay tribute to people and places who have made a mark on the history of their communities.

“We’ve recently unveiled green plaques to a pair of suffragette sisters, a First World War poet and the man who illustrated many of the Thomas the Tank Engine and Ladybird books loved by generations of children. We would love to hear about even more people and places that should be recognised.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to become involved in the next round and have their say on who should be honoured with a green plaque.

Person:Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for green plaques

To be eligible for nomination:

• People nominated must have been deceased for at least 20 years; and
• If a building is nominated, property owners should be aware of and agree in principle to the nomination.

Winners from the last round of awards include:

• First World War hero Captain Robert Gee VC; and
• Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Gardner.

The next plaque to be unveiled will honour astronomer Rev Dr William Pearson of South Kilworth, who was one of the founders of the Royal Astronomical Society.

To submit a nomination and for more information, visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/greenplaques

Nomination forms are also available by writing to Green Plaque Awards, County Hall, c/o Business Support, Room 600, Glenfield Leics LE3 8RL.