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Where the
idea for our scheme came from
The initial idea came from Krzysztof Fijalkowski,
a lecturer at Norwich School of Art and Design, and
creative and cultural studies students are to help research
future plaques.
“I’d always enjoyed hearing about how all
kinds of internationally famous figures – Jimi
Hendrix, Jean Genet, Muhammad Ali, you can keep going
as long as you want – actually had Norfolk connections,
the more unexpected the better,” said Mr Fijalkowski.
“Muhammad Ali was a perfect example. You just couldn’t
make up the story that a personality of his stature
and prowess – and one associated with a proud fight
for justice and black rights as well – not only
came to Norwich but did so in order to promote a bedtime
drink.”
He hopes the plaques scheme will extend to ordinary
people who have done extraordinary things. “Norfolk’s
proud heritage of non-conformism and ‘doing different’
would, I feel, prove a goldmine of wonderful unsung
heroes,” he said. The blue plaques should perfectly
complement the green ‘heritage’ plaques already
seen around Norwich, generally commemorating events
before the 20th century.
Mr Fijalkowski said the idea was to bring cultural heritage
up to date and acknowledge the fact that, for the people
who live here, Norfolk is far more than “a collection
of quaint cobbled streets and Capability Brown landscapes”.
The EDP was the natural place to locate the project
since the key to many of the stories lay in the paper’s
archives and photographic library.
Civic
leaders back our blue plauqes
Civic leaders across the county gave the blue plaques
scheme a resounding thumbs up - hailing it an exciting
new development in the cultural life of the region.
Heather Bolt, Norfolk County Council
cabinet member for libraries, museums and records:
"Norfolk has played host to many fascinating cultural
events and figures over the years and the EDP is to
be congratulated for helping to bring local history
alive like this in a very real way. This can only make
our towns and cities even more interesting places for
visitors to enjoy - as well as giving local people a
very interesting glimpse into the past."
Brian Watkins, executive member for
art and culture at Norwich City Council: "This
is a super new initiative that will help raise the profile
of culture in Norwich. The city has a rich and varied
heritage, much of it already commended on plaques and
panels throughout the centre - this new dimension has
a clear resonance with the city's aspirations as a City
of Culture. The plaques will help increase the richness
and popularity of the city's more recent culture and
strengthen Norwich being renowned for its cultural diversity
and excellence."
Sheila Kefford, administrator with
civic watchdogs The Norwich Society: "I think
it's an excellent idea. It's so important to remember
the people that visited Norfolk and put us on the map.
If we didn't have plaques people would forget - they
act as a constant reminder - and I think an awful lot
more people read them than we realise. I think it's
absolutely brilliant that we are taking our own initiative."
Mike Loveday, planning director
for Norwich, who developed the existing Discovery Boards
and Viking Legacy Trail: "Few people know the
diverse cultural associations that the city has had,
including visits from Lizst, Paganini, Oscar Wilde,
Barham and Bailey, Laurel and Hardy, Jimi Hendrix, Eric
Clapton, Ginger Baker and David Bowie to name just a
few. This exciting initiative will do much to bring
cultural history to the fore."
We want
your suggestions
Have you got a suggestion for a Blue Plaque site? Email
your Blue Plaque nominations to the EDP's editor at
EDPeditor@archant.co.uk
giving your name, address and phone number and the details
of your nomination.
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Civic leaders back the scheme
