Many people have played a huge part in the history of the Forest of Dean, and now the Foresters’ Forest Heritage Lottery Funded programme is looking to recognise some of these local figures with a plaque and wants to hear your nominations.

A Blue Plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a nationally famous person or event.

A Green Plaque is very similar but it commemorates a link between that location and a person famous within the Forest (but not nationally well known).

For consideration the person must have lived or worked in the Forest and be of significant local or national historical importance, whether that be relating to natural, built or cultural heritage. They must also have been dead for at least 20 years.

Examples include Robert Forester Mushet who produced the first commercial steel alloys, James and William Horlick who invented Horlicks, and Richard Whittington, the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittingtonand his cat.

Councillor Chris McFarling, Cabinet Member for Heritage at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “This is a great way to recognise our local heroes. Their stories are our stories, to share through the Blue Plaque and Green Plaque scheme. They remind us of why we’re so special here in the land between two rivers.”

Ten plaques (five blue and five green) will be installed, and all eligible nominations (screened by an assessment panel) will go forward to a public vote later in the year to select five in each category.

To nominate please email [email protected] with the name of the person who you think should be recognised and why.