TWO new plaques have been unveiled in Droitwich town centre in honour of local historian Nelly Copson.

The plaques, which were both purchased with donations from Droitwich High Street traders and residents, were unveiled on Monday, April 20, placed on the inside and outside walls of Ms Copson’s old shop at 40-42 High Street, which is now the Button Tree Cafe.

Ms Copson was born in the first floor back room of the property on January 16, 1919, and her family ran a boot repair, leather and grindery business there, established by her mother in 1904 on the ground floor.

There was a packed crowd watching as a brass plaque was placed inside the old shop, which is now the Button Tree Café, with a second blue plaque going up on the outside of the property above the doorway to number 42.

The idea for the plaque came from town councillor John Cook, and local historian Paul Jones and Tom Lymer of Lymers Butchers organised the fundraising to pay for both plaques.

The plaques were unveiled by Droitwich mayor Councillor Bob Brookes and Royal Worcester expert Henry Sandon, who was a good friend of Ms Copson’s on April 20.

Both men paid tribute to Ms Copson with short speeches, there was a book signing of a the book ‘Nelly Copson – A Tribute’, written by local historians Paul Jones and Claire Lloyd.

Two of Ms Copson’s relatives Mabel Duggan, and June Rattlidge also attended the unveiling.

Paul Jones composed the text for the interior plaque, which reads ‘NELLY COPSON The much respected Droitwich historian was born in a first floor back room of this property on the 16th of January 1919, and lived her until she passed away in March 2011 at the age of 92.’