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Local hero blue plaque nomination deadline extended

Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire Council Blue circular plaque with white lettering with Rose Scott's name and dates at the top and text explaining that she was an anti-poverty campaigner, a supporter of adult suffrage, and Northampton's first female councillor. The plaque is mounted on a brick wall.West Northamptonshire Council
Rose Scott, campaigner and Northampton's first female councillor, was honoured with a plaque in 2019

A deadline has been extended for nominating local heroes for commemorative blue plaques.

People in West Northamptonshire now have an extra month to put forward individuals and groups who have "made a lasting impact on the area".

The initiative follows a similar scheme in 2019 which honoured four prominent personalities, including a medieval bow maker and Northampton's first female councillor.

Anyone who is nominated must have died at least 20 years ago.

West Northamptonshire Council said the plaques would be "celebrating local heritage and inspiring communities to engage with their shared history".

Among those who were honoured with blue plaques in 2019 were Peter the Saracen, whose birth and death dates - along with his full name - were unknown.

He was mentioned in financial records as being employed by King John as a maker of crossbows.

He may have been one of the first Muslims recorded in England.

Google Brick-built two-storey end-of-terrace house with white window frames and a brick wall around the outside with hedges above. There is a driveway to the left of the house. A blue circular plaque is visible on the outside of the house at the top of the ground floor level.Google
Rose Scott's blue plaque is on a private house in Northampton

William Barratt, a shoe manufacturer who paid for Northampton's maternity home which bears his name, also received a blue plaque, along with the politician and campaigner, Rose Scott.

James Grant/BBC Richard Barratt with short white hair wearing a dark top and standing in front of a framed portrait of William Barratt, with short dark hair, a moustache and glasses wearing a dark jacket and white shirt with a black bow tie.James Grant/BBC
William Barratt's plaque was unveiled in the presence of his great-nephew, Richard Barratt

The council said its 2025 scheme would introduce eight new plaques "honouring figures who have shaped its history, culture and identity".

To be eligible, nominees must have:

  • been a person who died at least 20 years ago
  • made a significant contribution to the area
  • not have already been recognised with a blue plaque
  • have a strong connection to a surviving location in West Northamptonshire

Jane Carr, the council's director of communities & opportunities, said: "West Northamptonshire has a wealth of incredible historical figures who have shaped our communities and beyond.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to help us recognise and celebrate their legacies."

The deadline was originally 31 March but has now been extended to 30 April.

There is an online form for nominations.

A panel of historical and cultural experts will decide which of the nominations are successful.

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