Friends of Firbeck Hall

Blue Plaques Grand Unveiling

Maj. Gen. Anthony St Leger & Hewett Cottrell Watson

by Frankie Dettori MBE and Mr Ian Bonner

On 15th September 2012, The Friends of Firbeck Hall unveiled two blue plaques which are now displayed on the outside wall of Firbeck Village Hall. The plaques are a fitting tribute to two famous previous Firbeck residents, Major General Anthony St Leger, the instigator of the classic St Leger horse race and Hewett Cottrell Watson, who was a pioneer in the science of ecology and contributed to the development of Darwin's theory of evolution.

The St Leger plaque was unveiled by Frankie Dettori MBE, prior to his ride later that day in the St Leger Stakes.

The Watson plaque was unveiled by Mr Ian R Bonner, The President of the Botanical Society of the British Isles, whose journal Watsonia was named in honour of Hewett Cottrell Watson.

We are immensely grateful to both Frankie Dettori and Ian Bonner for their support and enthusiasm on the day, together with Rotherham District Civic Society who sponsored the plaques and so kindly assisted us throughout the process. We were also joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Councillor Dave Pickering and his wife Sue.