Presenting the plaque

(Above article: Leicester Mercury newspaper, Leicester, UK - 1st December 2011) 

~~~

The 1st of December was a fantastic day. The rain kept off and it was bright, (still notably colder in Leicester though, comparing it to London). I met Stephen Butt, (fellow FoJCM), in the Moat Community College reception and we were led into the assembly hall, where we individually addressed around 300 teenagers -- extremely well behaved teenagers, I might add. After the address, a photographer from the Leicester Mercury took some group photos.  Stephen and I were photographed with the student council chairman, Habiburrehman Kara, a charming young man, who does the College proud.

I am delighted, that after years of work, (unveiling the plaque in its original location;  appealing to the Leicester Mercury for help to find it, as someone had removed it;  travelling to Leicester to retrieve it;  seeking out a new location for it; and finally, recently presenting it to the Moat Community College on Thursday, 24th November 2011). It's been a long journey, spanning some six years or so, but it was so very worth it. The plaque is now in the most appropriate place and has direct links to Joseph's life in Leicester.

It's a great achievement of the Friends and, I really couldn't be more proud of our work. Thank you to every one concerned and a special thank you to Stephen Butt, for officially presenting the plaque. When handing it over, his last few words were, "take good care of it".  I thought that was a very nice touch.

It will be going up on the wall, next to the school's reception area and I'll visit again in the new year to take some photos of it, in it's final resting place. 

Thank you so much Moat Community College, Leicester!

~  Jeanette

Joseph Merrick Commemorative Plaque

The main purpose for my recent trip to Leicester was to attend the official hand-over of the plaque, (in ownership of the Friends of Joseph Carey Merrick), into the safekeeping of the Moat Community College.
The plaque is going up on their wall, next to the reception area. The inscription reads, "Joseph Carey Merrick, Son of Leicester, 1862-1890. A true model of bravery and dignity for all peoples of all generations. Erected by his Friends, worldwide, in 2004".

There is a connection between the Moat Community College and Joseph, even some 130 or so years later.
The college stands on what was once the Leicester Union Workhouse, where Joseph was an inmate for a few years.  Not a nice association?  Well, actually yes.  The college is a central, prominent place of learning and educates teenagers against discrimination, of all kinds, including: race; religious beliefs and background; disabilities, etc.  The FoJCM believe Joseph would approve of the location choice.

Leicester historian and fellow FoJCM member, Stephen Butt, addressed the 300-strong morning assembly, describing the association of the two buildings, and the similar structural boundaries they both share.  I also spoke, explaining the history of the plaque, e.g. how it came about; its unveiling in 2004; its subsequent unauthorised removal and disappearance in 2006; and later finding it and now gifting it to the Moat.

The assembly was followed by an official photographing session, with the Vice Principal, Stephen and myself, thanks to the Leicester Mercury newspaper.

A very appropriate location, with a prominent Joseph-history.

Joseph and Leicester

Joseph lived in the poorer quarter of Leicester - at least it was back in the 19th century. Even today though, it seems set aside, almost forgotten and has a different feel about it. If you like, (for want of a better word), it has an altogether different 'vibration'.  It's quite open, the streets are relatively bare and here and there are some precise glimpses into his day, in terms of architecture and peeping cobbles.  Of course, I am rather fond of that area, due to my growing admiration and understanding of Joseph.  However, even so, the 'differences' around Lee Circle, Gladstone Street and Wharf Street are plain to see - and feel.

On my recent visit to Leicester, this November, I walked along a number of streets Joseph would have known and trod. Particularly though, I made a bee-line for the clock tower, where he would hawk his wares of shoes laces, boot black, gloves and so on, from a tray, (or box), hung around his neck.  Standing there, as I did, I had a first hand taste of the winters in Leicester. The chill went straight to my bones.  19th century winters were bleak, so much colder than now.  Joseph would have needed to walk 1.25 miles from his home in Lee Street, (a physically painful and emotional thing), to reach there.  On top of that, people would make fun of him, because of his deformities.  Poor lad.

I'm always pleased to be in Leicester and, I noticed, the moment I stepped off the train, that it felt like home - like putting on comfortable gloves.... I walked around confidently and, as silly and as dramatic as it may sound, it felt like the city was welcoming me.