Blue plaque will honour rugby campaigner
A KEY figure in the battle for rugby to remain an amateur sport is to be commemorated at King James’s School, Almondbury.
The proposal is for a blue plaque to be attached to the schoolhouse in honour of the Rev Francis Marshall, who lived there and was the headmaster of the then Almondbury Grammar School from 1878 to 1896.
He campaigned to keep rugby as an amateur sport, which was a major cause of the split that saw the sport of rugby league founded.
He ultimately failed, as the professional game was founded at The George Hotel in Huddersfield in 1895, leading to the formation of the Northern Rugby Union, later to be known as Rugby Football League.
This year sees the 100th anniversary of The Old Almondburians’ Society (former staff and students of King James’s School) and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Northern Rugby Union - and it was thought an appropriate time to commemorate these two historic events with this plaque.
The proposal is regarded as ‘de minimis’ and would have no significant impact on the character and setting of the listed building.
The schoolhouse forms part of the Grade II listed building on the school campus, which lies within the Almondbury Conservation Area.
The application for listed building consent is being made to Kirklees Council by The Old Almondburians’ Society.
It has the support and permission of the school principal, the governors and the King James’s School Foundation.
Kirklees councillor Bernard McQuin, (Con, Almondbury), said: “I think it is a great idea and fully support the ideals of those people who are bringing it.”
Public consultation will end on December 18 and a decision is expected early next year.