Maureen Scott tells us about the unveiling of the Thomas Peacock Blue Plaque Saturday, 4th June 2011

The day finally arrived when Thomas Peacock, the founder of Hope Brothers factory was officially recognised for all that he did for his home village of Littleport.

Thanks are due to the family of his brother William (to whom he was very close) a plaque was presented as a gift to Littleport and unveiled by Valerie Beattie. Thomas was her great, great, great uncle.

The Whitfield Group, who purchased the factory after its final closure proceeded to convert it to luxury flats, they gave the Littleport Society permission to mount the plaque on the side of the building in White Hart lane. The weather was good and thankfully a very large crowd had assembled for the unveiling. I am sure Thomas would have appreciated every moment, from the Ely Town Crier, to the people dressed in Victorian costume including a Mary and Thomas look-a-like.

An opening speech was given by the Chairman Grenville Goodson, followed by Valerie Beattie who stated that before last November she knew very little about members of the Peacock family. She said that as a child she had heard mention of Hope Brothers but it meant nothing to her – until she and her partner John were looking through a box of items left by Valerie’s late mother, a postcard with an address on the back, which stated: Miss Flanders, Vanbrugh House, Victoria Street, Littleport. Valerie was aware of a Flanders connection and that was it, a jubilant Valerie contacted Bruce Frost, the information she received left her speechless and partner John was on the case. Vanbrugh House was one of the houses Thomas had built for family members and Amelia Flanders was found. The quest then started in earnest. Amazing when you think what finding one postcard can do.

The curtain was opened to loud clapping by the crowd who were then invited to partake of refreshments and view the exhibits in the Village Hall (formerly called the Constitutional Hall). Thomas would have been very proud and pleased at the venue, as he had a hand in building the hall.

The W.I. is to be commended on the super display of food, which not only looked good but tasted as good as it looked. A penny farthing cycle and another Victorian cycle were on display, kindly loaned by Mr and Mrs David and Beryl Smith. Attending were Mr and Mrs Colin and Margaret Bedford from the March cycle club, Mr and Mrs John Smith had a wonderful display of Victorian skates and lots of skating pictures, Mr Garth McGowen (Mac) was in charge of the bookstall. Mr Des Smith decorated the stage with a picture of Thomas in pride of place, in front of this were family photographs loaned by Valerie, the large bell and the later whistle that were used to call the employees to work. A very long family tree which made a lot of work for Mr Bruce Frost, and many artefacts from the Society archive which included wills, photos, recipes and information on the family. Thanks to Mr Des Smith and Mrs Ann Lightowlers for all their help. A cake was then cut by Valerie Beattie and Mr Whitfield.

It was a truly remarkable morning and enjoyed by all, such a joy to see so many interested people, in particular many of the former factory employees. It was great for them to get together, I think everyone will agree it all went like a dream; I would like to add my personal thanks to anyone who helped in any way and to everyone for attending, not forgetting those who donated photographs of the day.

COMMENTS

  • Ann Merrick

    What a wonderful story. Brings back memories of the time I spent in Littleport during the War years and many visits after during school holidays. My grandfather, Owen Jones, owned Heygates.

    I went to the Village school in 1941 at the age of 5 and Miss Bishop was my teacher.

    I read the story of the little girl who grew up in the Fens whose first job was at Heygates. I was bridesmaid to Miss Wilson, who worked for my grandfather. The Bob Jones in the article is my Uncle.

    Ann Merrick nee Marsden
    I now live in Vancouver, B.C. Canada

  • Julie Dickerson

    I worked at Heygates for a couple of years when I left school. Robert Jones was the owner then and his daughter Kathleen was the same age as me. I’m now retired having worked for 28years at Ede and Ravenscroft who are the Royal Robemakers.

  • Julie Smart

    I went to the junior school in Littleport and the secondary modern school which was called , The Martin School.
    I am now in my 60’s and would like to know anything on Burberrys the old Hope Brother’s factory which has now been turned into flats. I started work there at the age of 15 years

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