8 - Blue Plaque for William Shenstone

Archived news release from 2007

William Shenstone will be the latest person’s life to be remembered through Dudley Council’s blue plaque scheme.

Shenstone, born on November 18 1714, was an English poet and one of the first developers of landscape gardening through the development of The Leasowes, which was his estate.

On November 15 the blue plaque to commemorate his work will be placed at the entrance to Halesowen Golf Club near the Leasowes. It will be unveiled by former Mayor of Dudley and Halesowen South councillor John Woodall at 11am.

“The blue plaque scheme has been a big success and I’m delighted to see the life and works of William Shenstone are to be recognised. We would like to thank the Friends of Leasowes for their help in ensuring this plaque was produced in memory of another true borough great.”

The Friends of The Leasowes in Halesowen have been instrumental in ensuring Shenstone’s life is recognised through the blue plaque scheme.

The first plaque in the Dudley borough was in memory of Sir Cedric Hardwicke four years ago. Following on from the success of this plaque, in 2005 Dudley Council officially set up the plaque scheme which has since seen comedians Billy Dainty and Clarkson Rose honoured.

“The friends of The Leasowes are pleased that along with other improvements in the park using the Transforming Your Space funding it has been possible to include a blue plaque as a permanent reminder of the life and work of William Shenstone.”