Commemorative plaques
policy
1. Introduction
Commemorative plaques (often referred to as blue plaques) are commonly placed on buildings as a means of celebrating key people and events in history. English Heritage operates a commemorative plaques scheme in London and there are many other schemes operating across the UK. There is no single national scheme for commemorative plaques.
This document sets out the University’s approach to commemorative plaques, provides guidance and the sets out the process for requesting plaques on the University estate.
2. Purpose This policy:
1. Provides guidance for new commemorative plaques requests. 2. Describes the eligibility criteria and process for requesting new
commemorative plaques.
3. Details the decision making process for plaque requests.
4. Provides guidance on the location, installation and unveiling of new plaques.
3. Scope:
This policy covers:
1. Internal requests for a University of Manchester commemorative plaque on the University estate.
2. External requests for a University of Manchester commemorative plaque on the University estate
3. External requests for another organisation’s commemorative plaque on the University estate.
4. What are commemorative plaques?
Commemorative plaques are found on buildings of all styles and dates, and are a visible means of celebrating history and the historic environment. Plaques connect past and present and have numerous benefits; they can increase a sense of pride and can educate about history and architecture, making both more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. They can also play an important conservation role, helping to highlight buildings with historic
5. Commemorative plaque schemes
There is no national scheme of commemorative plaques. English Heritage operates a blue plaques scheme in London only. Between 1998 and 2007 English Heritage operated a pilot national scheme, but this was discontinued. English Heritage now offers an advisory role only outside of London. The
University’s policy on commemorative plaques in is based on English Heritage’s advice for best practice Celebrating people and place: Guidance on
commemorative plaques and plaque schemes. This document sets out the considerations for a commemorative plaque and should be used alongside the English Heritage guidance, where appropriate.
Various cities, regions and organisations operate their own commemorative plaque schemes.
Manchester City Council’s scheme was discontinued, but then revived in 2011. The plaques are now patinated bronze rather than coloured plaques. The scheme is co-ordinated by Manchester City Galleries and further information on the scheme and how to make a nomination can be found via the Manchester Galleries website.
The scheme commemorates people and events who have contributed to the social, political and cultural heritage of Manchester. It requires that the person commemorated should have been eminent and sufficiently famous for his or her name to be familiar to a succeeding generation and the scheme will only approve commemorative plaques for individuals who lived or worked in Manchester for at least 5 years. No commemoration is generally undertaken until 25 years after death. The scheme can only consider proposals for plaques that are sited within the administrative boundaries of Manchester City Council. The scheme does not have funding and the cost of the plaque, its installation and unveiling must be paid for by applicant.
Organisations such as learned societies operate their own scheme. Some have funding for the installation and unveiling of plaques under their scheme.
5.1 The University of Manchester scheme
The University estate has a number of commemorative plaques. In accordance with this policy, applications for new plaques will be considered.
6. Considerations
English Heritage’s Celebrating people and place: Guidance on commemorative plaques and plaque schemes sets out the considerations for a commemorative plaque which users of this policy are advised to consult.
Consideration should be given to the following points:
6.1 Relevance of the building: Commemorative plaques work best when they commemorate figures from the past and their association with the historic buildings in which they lived or worked.
6.2 Time and resource: Installation of a commemorative plaque is not a straightforward task and they should not be regarded as quick and easy solution for commemorating an individual or event. Time and resource are required to complete the following:
a. Research the individual or event that is proposed to be commemorated.
b. Identify a suitable location and position for the plaque. c. Design the plaque and its inscription.
d. Obtain consent from Estates and planning permission, which can be difficult if the building is listed.
e. Manufacture the plaque to a high standard.
6.3 Impact on buildings: Commemorative plaques are intended to endure. Once in place on a building, a plaque should be considered part of the fabric of the building and will be in place for many years. The University must give consideration to its estate and it may not be
possible to install a plaque in certain locations, especially on historic buildings or buildings whose façade cannot support a plaque. 6.4 Continued appeal: Plaques are adornments to the historic
environment and it is important to ensure that, as far as possible, plaques will continue to have relevance and a sustained impact in the future. They should be interesting, meaningful, accurate and clear - especially in terms of their inscription and positioning.
6.5 Accessibility: Commemorative plaques are designed to appeal to the public at large. They should be positioned in an accessible location and be meaningful and easy to understand by the majority of passers-by. 7. Requests for a commemorative plaque on the University estate There are three avenues through which commemorative plaques can be requested on the University’s estate:
7.1 Internal requests for a University of Manchester commemorative plaque on the University estate.
7.2 External requests for a University of Manchester commemorative plaque on the University estate.
7.3 External requests from an organisation that operates a commemorative plaque scheme to install a plaque on the University’s estate.
8. Eligibility
Commemorative plaques work best when their subject continues to have meaning for those likely to see it. Plaques considered for the University estate will bring a part of history into the day-to-day world and the subject being commemorated should be easily recognised and appreciated.
8.1 The following restrictions apply to individuals commemorated on a plaque placed on the University’s estate:
8.1.1 At least 25 years should have passed since the individual’s death. This allows time in which a person’s reputation can mature, and helps to
ensure that their achievements can be assessed dispassionately with proper historical perspective and that the resultant plaque is fully justified. 8.1.2 An individual should be regarded as significant within their field and there
should be reasonable grounds for believing that the subject(s) are regarded as eminent by a majority of members of their discipline or profession.
8.1.3 An individual’s achievements must have made a lasting and significant contribution and be sufficiently famous to be familiar and important to succeeding generations.
8.1.4 An individual should be sufficiently well known that the well-informed passer-by immediately recognises their name(s), or, they deserve national recognition.
8.1.5 As far as possible, the building or site on which the plaque will be installed must be directly related to the person that the plaque commemorates.
8.2 The following restrictions apply to events commemorated on a plaque placed on the University’s estate:
8.2.1 At least 25 years should have past since an event occurred. 8.2.2 The event should be sufficiently well known, or of such national
importance, that the well-informed passer-by immediately recognises the event and its significance.
8.2.3 As far as possible, the building or site proposed for installation must be directly related to the event.
8.3 The following criteria apply to plaques for individuals and events:
8.3.1 Plaques will only be approved for locations that are visible to passers-by and accessible to the general public.
8.3.2 Plaques will only be situated on sites of former buildings in exceptional circumstances. It is important that passers-by are able to connect individuals and events with buildings that still stand.
8.3.3 Where an application is made for a plaque that has not been
commissioned by the University to be sited on the University estate, an assessment will be made of the design and quality of the plaque, especially in relation to its durability, attractiveness and impact on the historic environment. The University reserves the right to reject an application if the proposed plaque is not of sufficient quality or if its design would detract from the historic built environment.
8.3.4 The form of name, forename or title in the inscription on a plaque should be in accordance with that given in a standard English work of reference, or as would be readily recognisable to a well-informed passer-by.
8.3.5 Exceptional cases will be considered on their merits, subject to the submission of a thoroughly researched and justified case.
9. Application
Applications for commemorative plaques on the University must be made using the form in appendix 1.
Details of any research conducted in preparation of the application should be included.
10. Selection process
All applications for commemorative plaques on the University estate must be submitted using the form in appendix 1.
In the first instance, the application will be considered by the Commemorative Plaques Advisory Group (CPAG). The Group will consider the merits of the application based on the criteria detailed above. Where an application is made for a plaque that has not been commissioned by the University to be sited on the University estate, the Group will also make assessment of the design and quality of the proposed plaque. At this stage, the Group may reject the application if it does not fulfil the stated criteria. Otherwise, the Group will make a
recommendation to the University History and Heritage Strategy Group (UHHSG). The UHHSG will consider the CPAG recommendation at the next UHHSG meeting and consider the merits of the application. The chair of the UHHSG, the Deputy President and Vice Chancellor, will use the CPAG and the views of the UHHSG to decide if the application should be recommended to the Board of Governors or Planning and Resources Committee which will consider the application and views from the preceding groups. The final decision will be made the Board of Governors or the Planning and Resources Committee. The outcome of the decision will communicate to the applicant. Decisions made through this process are final and no appeals will be considered. If an application is rejected, the University will not consider another application to commemorate the same individual or event for ten years.
The Commemorative Plaques Advisory Group consists of:
• A chairperson • Director of Estates
• Director of Marketing and Communication • University Historian and Heritage Manager • A representative from the President’s Office • An Associate Dean for the relevant faculty
Where necessary, the University will consult with interested parties, both at a local level – including the local planning authority, civic society, history or heritage society, community groups and local residents – and at a regional or national level, including English Heritage.
11. Installation and unveiling
If an application for a plaque has been approved, the University will work with the applicant or organisation to install and unveil the plaque. The time between a
! Commemorative plaque application completed and submitted Application considered by Commemorative Plaque Advisory Group
(CPAG)
CPAG recommendation considered by the University History and
Heritage Strategy Group (UHHSG)
Rejected if application does not fulfil requirements stated in
policy
Rejected based on CPAG and UHHSG
consideration
Deputy President and Vice-Chancellor submits application and UHHSG decision to Board of Govenors/Planning and Recources Committee Decision communicated to applicant Approved Approved Rejected
Arrangements made for installation and unveiling with Estates and University History
plaque being approved and installed may be significant as the necessary evaluations of the site and permissions are obtained.
If the application is approved by the commemorative plaque scheme:
11.1 The University Estates Directorate will liaise with the local planning office to obtain the necessary permissions for installation of the plaque. It will also work with University History and Heritage, the Directorate of Marketing and Communications and the applicant on a suitable location for the plaque.
11.2 University History and Heritage will work with the Directorate of
Marketing and Communication, the appropriate faculty and the applicant on the design and inscription for the plaque.
11.3 University History and Heritage will work with the Director of Marketing and Communications, the appropriate Faculty and/or the President’s Office and the applicant for an event and communications to unveil the plaque. The degree of involvement of the President’s Office will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The plaque will become part of the fabric of the building and thus will be the property of the University. As the plaque will require maintenance, the Directorate of Estates will make a final judgement on its location. 12. Costs
Any costs arising from the purchase of a plaque, its installation and unveiling will be considered between the President’s Office, Directorate of Estates, University History and Heritage and the applicant. Only plaques approved by the University will be installed.
Costs to be considered are:
• Fabrication of the plaque - usually around £500.
• Installation of the plaque - usually around £200, depending on the type of
building.
• Research costs.
• Cost of an unveiling event.
13. Alternatives to plaques
There are a number of alternatives to commemorative plaques which might be a more suitable means of commemoration than an plaque. Other options can be discussed with the University Historian and Heritage Manager.
