Dear John,
You observed that "It would be good to know what locations and subjects are missing?"
This would require a significant project to:
* Determine the criteria for inclusion in a definitive list of Welsh people notable for their contributions to science, technology and medicine, including the degree of 'Welshness' - one or more of birth / residence / location of main contribution to their field. The Oxford DNB, the Dictionary of Welsh Biography, and the Welsh Government publication on notable Welsh scientists etc would be useful starting points. Determining whether individuals qualified for inclusion might be tricky in some instances - e.g. Richard Trevithick was at Merthyr for only a short time but did complete the world's first recorded steam locomotive during his stay - an internationally important event in the history of technology but would Trevithick qualify for inclusion on the grounds of a short period of residence in Wales?
* Determine potentially appropriate Welsh locations associated with the individuals where commemoration via plaques might occur - places of birth / residence / work. In this regard it is worth observing that the London blue plaque scheme requires the original structure to still be standing; in contrast many provincial schemes are content to mark the sites of demolished structures. Finding structures possessing definite associations with some important individuals might be problematic - e.g. I believe that it not known where in Tenby Robert Recorde was born and lived, hence his commemoration within St.Mary's Church with a plaque (carved stone rather than a blue plaque) rather than being commemorated by means of a plaque on the site of his birthplace.
Local blue plaque schemes have evolved their own priorities; cultural figures tend to be prioritised. Any 'top-down' national list would have to read circumspectly in promulgating its recommendations for new blue plaques as funding is usually raised locally and priorities are usually already in place.
There might be a mis-match between some local commemorations of relatively minor figures that would not meet the national criteria. There might be issues of being perceived to snub local pride.
I trust that these thoughts are useful.
Best wishes,
Robert
________________________________________
From: Discussion list for MYRDDIN [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Tucker [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 February 2015 14:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: W R Grove Blue Plaque
Dear Robert,
Thanks for this! The Llanelli website is excellent!
Plaques are fundamentally local and so it would be best if each town
and area had a decent catalogue. It would be good to know what
locations and subjects are missing?
I mentioned only the new official Blue Plaques, but I think any plaque
relevant to science, technology and medicine would be of interest.
John
PS. Monmouth has a well documented scheme, too.
____________________________________________________________________________________
On 9 Feb 2015, at 12:55, Robert Protheroe Jones wrote:
> Dear John,
>
> Your suggestion that "It may be interesting to gather information
> and raise awareness of existing blue plaques in Wales celebrating
> scientific and technological connections, and indeed gather
> suggestions for many more" is a good one.
>
> Llanelli Community Heritage (on whose blue plaque advisory panel I
> sit), has mounted around sixty blue plaques and have published a
> trail guidebook to accompany them. A number of these plaques
> commemorate individuals that might potentially fall within the ambit
> of your suggestion. LCH have an attractive website www.llanellich.org.uk
> through which they may be contacted if you wish to find out more
> about blue plaques of potential interest to you.
>
> There are other blue plaque and analgeous commemorative schemes in
> other Welsh towns and local authority areas - I am aware of blue
> plaques in Abergavenny, Blaenau Gwent, Brecon, Cardiff, Carmarthen,
> Conwy, Cowbridge, Haverfordwest, Llanidloes, Merthyr Tydfil,
> Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Tenby.
>
> Other locations have commemorative plaques of different colours and
> shapes - would you consider including commemorative plaques that
> were other than blue and circular?
>
> Possibly the most efficient means of finding out about them and
> making contact would be via the Civic Trust for Wales (www.civictrustwales.org
> ), the umbrella organisation for local civic trusts around Wales,
> should you wish to contact them.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for MYRDDIN [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of John Tucker
> Sent: 09 February 2015 12:10
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: W R Grove Blue Plaque
>
> Colleagues,
>
> In October 2012, the IWA Swansea Branch organised a meeting calling
> for Blue Plaques to celebrate people connected with the City. Some
> 100 people attended and some 76 suggestions were made. I spoke on
> candidates from the science and technology:
>
> http://www.iwa.org.uk/en/events/view/179
>
> The City Council has a new (and currently!) funded scheme for Blue
> Plaques and some eight have been mounted. Richard Porch is running
> the scheme.
>
> On 22 January last, a Blue Plaque for William Grove was unveiled on
> the Central Police Station, the site of his home The Laurels.
> Although the event was noted in advance:
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-30920023
>
> the occasion has not been widely reported. There was a gathering of
> 20 people, 5 speakers and a delightful reception at nearly Tapesti
> Cafe Bar.
>
> A report was logged here:
>
> http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/41204/fuel-cell-inventor-sir-william-grove-honoured-in-home-city-of-swansea
>
> The Plaques are attractive, but at the moment there are no decent
> close-up images of Grove's plaque on the web.
>
> It may be interesting to gather information and raise awareness of
> existing blue plaques in Wales celebrating scientific and
> technological connections, and indeed gather suggestions for many
> more.
>
> John
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