Kenneth Williams Plaque unveiled

Kenneth Williams has now been honoured by the Heritage Foundation at his King’s Cross  childhood home. The Blue Plaque was unveiled above his Father’s barber shop at 57 Marchmont Street, where he lived from 1935 until 1956.

Fans, friends, the Marchmont Street Association, local MP Frank Dobson and local Councillor Jonathan Simpson had written to the Foundation campaigning for public recognition for Kenneth, in what was his neighbourhood.

Everyone gathered on Sunday 11th October at 12.00 noon on the packed street in King’s Cross, where many celebrities including actors, broadcasters, friends and fans paid homage to the great comedian.

Nicholas Parsons OBE LLT recalled moments from their friendship, as did Bill Petwee MBE PBR, both are members of the Grand Order of Water Rats, no fine paid today then.

The Blue Plaque was unveiled by, Cllr Jonathon Simpson, Frank Dobson MP, the Mayor of Camden, Omar Faruque Ansari, Bill Pertwee MBE PBR – best known for playing ARP Warden Hodges in Dad’s Army – Nicholas Parsons OBE LLT – broadcaster and straight man of comedy, and Ricci de Freitas – chair of the Marchmont Street Association.

In the presence of many friends of the foundation including actress and writer Linda Brant, radio presenter and Heritage Foundation Vice President Mike Read, ‘Elvis to the Stars’ Lou Jordan, David Graham Heritage Foundation Director, Potter Ned Heywood the plaque designer and Bill Oddie OBE – previous goodie, and popular wildlife campaigner, to name but a few.

There are two more blue plaques celebrating local dignitaries to be unveiled on Marchmont Street. Watch this space for more, or check the Heritage Foundation website. www.theheritagefoundation.info

Apart from the lack of a microphone and a speaker so that us ‘locals’ could hear what was being said at the front, everything went swimmingly especially for Costa Coffee (photoshopped out of images) – don’t forget there are other independent places to buy you coffee, love your High Street – Support it!  Simon Lamrock.