Town's first historical plaque for a woman

The first local historical plaque for a woman in a Nottinghamshire town is to be unveiled.

The Beeston and District Civic Society has installed 35 plaques since 2009, but it was noticed in recent years that all were for men.

Now Eleanor Littlewood MBE, the first female chairwoman of the local council, will be recognised in a ceremony at her former home at Manor Lodge, Middle Street, on Sunday.

Tamar Feast, from the civic society, said: "Beeston punches above its weight with these plaques, but it is overdue we represented the women from the area."

Ms Feast said when she started looking for suitable female figures, it was harder than expected.

"It's because history was written by men, usually.

"We are talking about times when women were somewhat confined in their options in how they could excel and achieve greatness in a way that men weren't.

"That is why we have to research in a slightly different way - they are not going to be on honours lists as much or business owners.

"It's much more social history, going through newspapers and that sort of thing," she said.

Sunday's ceremony will take place at 12:00, and Broxtowe's mayor, along with a number of local councillors, are due to attend.

A second plaque, to humanitarian activist Nan Green, is due to be unveiled at her former home at Glebe Street, Beeston.

Ms Feast said they had a shortlist of suitable women, but as each plaque cost between £600 and £800 to make and install, more fundraising would be needed.

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