October 30, 2018 8.31 am This story is over 65 months old

Seal of approval for Lincoln blue plaque scheme

Lincoln will get its first official blue plaques
The plaque on Steep Hill, Lincoln, commemorating author and soldier T. E. Lawrence. Picture: David Hitchborne

Forgotten historic figures in Lincoln will finally be honoured as the city council launches a new blue plaque scheme.

At a cost of £2,000, the scheme will allow people will be able to suggest individuals to commemorate under City of Lincoln Council plans.

A small amount of plaques already exist, such as military and memorial commemorations, however there is no formal scheme.

Now, senior councillors have signed off on a scheme following requests from the public to renew the initiative.

Deputy leader of the council, Donald Nannestad, said the scheme will help the city to recognise its historic figures.

“It’s a good way of recognising people,” he said.

“But it’s also for events, we have buildings where quite important events have happened or something significant to the city has happened.

“We are quite keen to progress this and we have a lot of people from Lincoln who have gone onto become people of national importance and we should recognise that.”

James Ward Usher

For a person to be considered, they must have lived or worked in Lincoln for five years and it must have been 20 years since their death.

Similarly, two decades need to have passed for a historical event to be commemorated.

Notable people without plaques in Lincoln include philanthropist James Ward Usher and historian and former mayor of the city, Sir Francis Hill.

Residents would be able to apply to the city council for a plaque to be considered.

A £2,000 budget would be put up by the authority to fund the purchase, design and installation of the plaques.

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