I’m very excited to announce that applications have now opened for 2027’s Maroon Plaques!
For those of you who haven’t heard of the Maroon Plaque programme, it’s Lewisham’s local version of the blue plaque programme managed by English Heritage. There are around 30 of these plaques across the borough, commemorating specific people, locations, and events that have played an important role in the history of Lewisham.
I currently sit on the committee that approves these plaques; we generally accept 2 applications per year. We will be meeting in January to review proposed plaques for 2027, so we are now taking applications through the end of the year.
So this is an open invitation: if there’s an important piece of local history that you would like to see properly commemorated, please get in touch and let us know about it! It would be fantastic to get some strong Forest Hill applications, to join the plaques we already have for Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Manor Mount, and Jim Connell on Stondon Park.
You can find more information about the scheme, including the application form, here: https://libraries.lewisham.gov.uk/digital-content/lewisham-heritage/maroon-plaques
I should also note that, while the Council can support with the logistics, site selection, and design of the plaques, we are not able to fund the physical manufacture of the plaque itself. Typically, these plaques are funded by community groups, crowdfunding, or residents’ associations. But if you have an idea for a plaque and don’t have a funder, don’t worry - if it gets approved, we can work with you to explore potential funding sources.
If you need any more info about the programme, please DM me!
