Blue Plaques

During the weekend of 15-16 June 2013, Saffron Walden's Blue Plaque Scheme was launched with the unveiling of six plaques commemorating former residents of the town who have achieved distinction in their chosen careers or fields of activity.

A small team drawn from the Saffron Walden Initiative and the Tourist Information Centre, under the co-ordination of John Ready, worked for several months to make the final selection from a list of candidates, obtain listed building consents and property owner approvals, as well as commissioning the design, manufacture and installation of the finished plaques. The elegant cast-metal designs were developed by David Riches of Visible Edge. Grant assistance was obtained through the UDC Homes Bonus Fund with the support of Saffron Walden Town Council, whose staff have also assisted with the installation of the plaques. Click here for a free leaflet, with map, biographical details and portrait images.

The lifetimes of the chosen six cover an extensive span of years from 1545 to 2009 and reflect a wide range of achievement in scholarship, the arts, creativity and citizenship. They are:

GABRIEL HARVEY c16th Poet & Scholar 1545-1630
Saffron Walden Laundry Office, 13-17 Gold Street CB10 1EN

HENRY WINSTANLEY Inventor & builder of the first Eddystone Lighthouse 1644-1703
Former Conservative Club, 5 Museum Street CB10 1JL

GEORGE STACEY GIBSON Banker, Philanthropist & Botanist 1813-1893
Hill House, High Street CB10 1AA

GORDON JACOB Composer & arranger 1895-1984
1 Audley Road CB11 3HW

EDWARD BAWDEN Designer, Printmaker & Illustrator 1903-1989
2 Park Lane studio CB10 1DA

JACK CARDIFF Oscar-winning film Cinematographer & Director 1914-2009
7a High Street, CB10 1AT opposite The Close Garden and Church