Continuing the theme of Nottingham architecture, this post explores some of the plaques in the city dedicated to people or significant events. As I’m discovering a lot lately, I’ve passed by many of these without noticing them before.
The Bendigo plaque here relates to William Thompson, the boxer turned preacher whose tomb is in St Mary’s Rest Garden, as discussed here. He was born in the slums that stood in what is now Trinity Walk off Upper Parliament Street; his original home has long since been demolished.
George Africanus was brought to England as a slave from Sierra Leone at a young age. He first was taken to Wolverhampton where he was taught to read and write and became an apprentice to a brass founder. When an adult he moved to Nottingham, married, and set up his own business – an employment agency for servants which ran for more than 70 years. He is buried at St Mary’s Church, Nottingham.
The sign above is on the wall of the Yates pub (a building with a history discussed in a later post) and not completely accurately marks the spot where the Malt Cross once stood. The Malt Cross, or rather Maltings Cross, was a monument near the Market Square where malt was sold – barley to be used for brewing. It was first mentioned in 1495 and was also known as a site for preaching and public speaking. As discussed here it was demolished and the people of the city moved on to gather at The Malt Cross music hall.
Despite appearances this plaque doesn’t have much to do with Lord Byron. It actually relates to a part of the city where pigs were kept and dates back to around 1408.
And finally this plaque relates to Thomas Adams whose factory in the Lace Market area still stands (though has a different purpose now) and is one of the area’s most striking buildings – it will feature in a future architecture post. Born in 1807 he became a successful lace manufacturer and gave a lot of his money away to good causes such as schools for the poor and was known for treating his staff very well.
You can find more of Nottingham’s plaques here.
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