Forgotten Women of Wakefield project achieves blue plaque parity for city amid funding concerns

Sarah Cobham, from Dream Time Creative, has led the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project to the point that the city is the only one in the country to have women represented equally with men in the commemorative historical markers.

The achievement drew the attention of the Community Archives and

Heritage Awards, which awarded Dream Team Creative in its Overall winner

and winner of Gathering and Preserving Heritage category.

Sarah said: "When we started there were 29 blue plaques to men or who had men named on them so we have far exceeded our original target of blue plaque parity and can safely say that we are the only city in the country with as many blue plaques to women as there are to men.

"It was this that caught the eye of the Community Archive Awards people, that and the brave choices we had made with regards the Edmonstone Women, whose contributions to Wakefield have been more important than anyone ever realised in that they saved Charles Waterton's Natural History Collection from being destroyed and gathered many of the letters he wrote.

"It's these letters that give such a powerful insight into his work and their lives.

“I think it's less about parity now and more about the importance of making sure women's achievements are as visible as those of men's.”

But she warned that projects like hers were in peril.

She said: “Did you know that only 1.8 per cent (Rosa Foundation stats) of women's groups or women focussed projects get funding?

"I am not in a position to keep working for the good of the city for nothing and it is this lack of consideration that has angered so many women who are already bearing the brunt of the economic situation in Wakefield and beyond.”

Following the awards, Alan Butler, chairman of the Community Archives and Heritage Group said: "We felt that the overall winner – Dream Time Creative – exemplified what is best about community archives and heritage groups – bringing community together, gathering and preserving lost histories that help more people feel connected to where they live and celebrating their shared history."

Sarah said: "Because of the nature of the work that goes into getting a blue plaque oftentimes hundreds of women are involved in the research, planning, creative workshops, delivery of community events, development of exhibitions, creation of space for the female voice and then finally, the siting and erection of a blue plaque to a woman who has inspired them to look at and often change direction of their own lives.

"This has an incredible impact on the mental health of women and engenders a real sense of pride in place.

"I hear women say 'I did that' with real pride, all the time when they see the blue plaques or the Louisa Fennell walking trail panels.

"It has also meant that nearly a million pounds of money has gone into the economy as we work with local artists and creatives who are paid from the grants."