Don’t murder our Midsomer plaques!
Bid to block tributes in town where show was filmed
AS far as feuds go, it’s unlikely to be the bloodiest this rural idyll has seen.
Nevertheless, a row over plans to put up red plaques around the quaint town of Thame to mark its part in the filming of Midsomer Murders means a few individuals are having to watch their backs.
Six red tributes commemorating the detective series were set to be displayed on listed buildings in the Oxfordshire market town, which features as fictional Causton.
Thame Town Council had hoped the plaques would attract visitors to the buildings when themed walking tours were not operating.
But the plans were rubbished by conservation officers at South Oxfordshire District Council, who wrote in a damning report: ‘While the visitor may wish to “arrive in Midsomer”, it is important to also recognise that Midsomer is not real.’
They added: ‘The market town of Thame is historically significant in its own right and not as the set of a television programme.’
The officers argued the plaques would compromise the ‘historic and architectural interest’ of the Grade II listed buildings.
A spokesman said: ‘Officers have recommended that this application be refused as they consider that the plaques would harm the significance of the listed buildings through an association with a fictional TV show rather than their actual historic and architectural interest.’
But town clerk Graham Hunt hit back, saying the plaques, which were due to be fixed on to the listed Spread Eagle Hotel and Swan Hotel, would rather ‘enhance’ the town.
He said: ‘Thame Town Council has had a planning application in to put six sympathetic plaques on buildings to enhance the vibrancy and vitality of the town. ‘It encourages even more visitors to come and look at the sites where the very popular Midsomer Murders was filmed in the past.’
The long-running series follows Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby – originally played by John Nettles and now Neil Dudgeon – and his efforts to solve murders in picturesque villages. Filming has taken place in various locations including Dorchester-on-Thames, Henley, Wallingford, Warborough and Watlington, which also cash in on walking tours for fans.
An application involving plaques would generally be decided by council officers, but following the damning report, a verdict on Thame’s plans will instead be made by the district council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
Mr Hunt added: ‘Our view is that while we respect the importance and the history of Thame... we don’t feel we should allow the past to completely control the future.’