Plaque trap
From Mr Mark Jowitt Sir: Philip Hensher's revelation Most inheritance', 2 March) that the English Heritage London Blue Plaque committee have rejected a request to commemorate V.S. Pritchett sent me delving into their website for guidance. And there it is. They will (it states, categorically) erect such plaques where one or more of the following criteria are met: I. There shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the subjects are regarded as eminent by a majority of members of their own profession or calling; 2. They shall have made some important positive contribution to human welfare or happiness; 3. They shall have had such exceptional and outstanding personalities that the wellinformed passer-by immediately recognises their names; 4. Or they deserve national recognition.
No mention, then, of anyone's reputation 'not yet being firmly established'. However, on the basis that Pritchett does indeed deserve national recognition, I am assessing the extent to which my hitherto unquestioning and annually renewable membership of their own organisation is 'firmly established'.
Mark Jowitt
Holmesfield, Derbyshire
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