Green Plaque Scheme Remembers Reggae Legend Bob Marley's Time in Wandsworth
Music legend Bob Marley has been honoured with a Wandsworth Green plaque commemorating his visits to borough. The plaque was unveiled on 25 October as part of Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture..
The plaque pays tribute to the time the Reggae star spent playing football with band members in Battersea Park. It is being installed in partnership with Nubian Jak Community Trust and joins another Green Plaque commemorating the first FA Rules game which was played in Battersea Park in 1864.
The plaque was unveiled by local MP Marsha de Cordova on Saturday, with the Mayor of Wandsworth, Jeremy Ambache, and the Jamaican High Commissioner, HE Alexander Williams in attendance.
Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola said: ‘Bob Marley is an icon and his music continues to inspire many others today. It is an honour that he spent time here in Wandsworth and right that we unveil his plaque during Black History Month. During our year as London Borough of Culture, we will remember other incredible people who have enriched the history and culture of our borough.’
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: ‘So many brilliant people, from a huge variety of different worlds spanning music, culture and sport to charity and health, have helped to shape the history and culture in Wandsworth. It’s wonderful that they have been honoured with green plaques during Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture, celebrating the diverse influences that help us build a better London for all.’
Dr Jak Beula from Nubian Jak said: ‘Of all the talents Bob Marley had, one of his main passions was playing football. He once said if he wasn't playing music he was playing football, and vice versa, and if he was doing neither he was thinking about both. Battersea Park is where Bob Marley played most of his football while in the UK, so it's only fitting that it's there where he is being honoured with his first ever football plaque worldwide.’
Marsha de Cordova said: ‘It was wonderful to unveil the plaque to Bob Marley in Battersea Park and warmly welcome the legend into Battersea's rich and diverse cultural heritage. Bob Marley was an undeniable musical genius, but he was also a cultural icon who inspired millions - from Kingston, Jamaica to the football fields of Battersea Park - and blazed a trail for reggae music and artists across the world.’
Wandsworth's Green Plaque scheme honours notable people, places and events in the borough that are not covered by the English Heritage Blue Plaque Scheme. Wandsworth Council puts up green plaques every year, and there are 17 around the borough celebrating subjects as diverse as Wombles author Elizabeth Beresford, the Festival of Britain Gardens and the recording studio used by The Who.
This London Borough of Culture year, we are installing 12 new Green Plaques, generously funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. As well as Bob Marley, other new plaques include:
- Frances Margaret Taylor, religious sister and founder of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God
- Chad Varah, founder of the Samaritans
- Paul Martin, photographer, once described as the ‘Dickens of the Lens’
- Tooting Bec Hospital, and the many people who lived and worked on site
Anyone in the borough can nominate a person, place or event they feel is deserving of a Green Plaque using the online form. Find out more and nominate here.
The person or place nominated must relate strongly to the borough of Wandsworth and people must have passed away more than 5 years ago. They must have had a positive influence on the life of the borough, and there must be somewhere visible to the public where the plaque can be fixed. See full criteria.
The deadline to nominate is Friday 31st October at midnight.
