Tower and Town, March 2015

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Editorial: Marlborough's Blue Plaques; MC Edition

Once again the Chairman has kindly offered space in this month's edition to be filled with writing by students at Marlborough College. Last year the students were inspired by photos they had taken around the High Street. This year each of the students was allocated one of the town's nine blue plaques. The plaques commemorate the link between notable figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked. They also include memorable events such as the town's Great Fire in 1653 and King Henry III's signing of the Marlborough Statutes in 1267. The students were encouraged to research the history of our town and then unleash their imaginations by writing a creative piece linked to their given plaque.

The imagination and creativity of 14 and 15 year olds is both limitless and inspiring and I hope you enjoy these brief escapades into their recreations of Marlborough through the ages. I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering more aboutthe town's history and many people I've discussed this project with have been surprised to hear that the town has nine plaques. I hope that this edition may also encourage you to go out and once more discover these plaques for yourself. You may even let your own imagination wander as you gaze at the plaque...

I feel, however, the final word should focus on the future rather than the past. The town's most recent blue plaque belongs to William Golding, who died 22 yearsago. When will the next one appear? Whose name will it bear? Are they living in the town now? Do we know them? Could it be you?

Hugo Tilney