WHO are your Forest heroes from history?

Well residents now have the chance to celebrate those who made their mark nationally and locally by nominating them for commemorative plaques.

The Foresters’ Forest Heritage Lottery funded programme is looking to recognise our famous men and women and wants names to be put forward for the honour.

Five blue plaques will be put up in a public place to commemorate a link between the location and a nationally famous person or event.

Another five green plaques will also be put up commemorating a link between a location and a person fam­ous within the Forest, but not nationally well known.

The nominated 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 could include Robert Forester Mushet from Coleford who produced the first commercial steel alloys at Parkend, James and William Horlick from Ruardean who invented the malted drink Horlicks, Richard Whittington, the real-life inspi-

ration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and his cat, who was raised near Newent, and Rorke’s Drift Victoria Cross winner Private Henry Hook, from Churcham.

Cllr Chris McFarling, Forest of Dean Council Cabinet member for heritage, 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.”

All eligible nominations will be screened by an assessment panel before going forward to a public vote later in the year to select the 10 plaques.

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

The Foresters’ Forest is a £2.5m Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Programme to raise awareness and participation in the built, natural and cultural heritage in the Forest of Dean.

The programme consists of 38 projects being delivered by 32 partner organisations and community groups.

Find out more at www.forestersforest.

uk or follow it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.