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MYSTERY man: Paul Kagan with the mysterious plaque in honour of John Jelley
Just who is Mr Jelley?
Victoria Morley4/ 6/2008
FOR a decade now this ornate and beautifully engraved plaque has been hanging proudly on the wall of an Edgeley home.
Paul Kagan, 61 - known as ‘Mr Skippy’ due to his love of reclaiming discarded objects - discovered the 19th century treasure when he was clearing out a client’s garage in Prestwich 10 years ago.
But Paul and his wife Sue, from Moscow Road East, are emigrating to Morocco this month and as a result have left the plaque in the safe hands of the Stockport Express in a bid to finally reunite the object with its rightful owners.
The scroll, encased in a wooden frame, commemorates champion of the poor Alderman John Jelley, who in 1905 raised a staggering £250,000 to build the new Nottingham Workhouse.
"We have tried for years to trace the family of John Jelley but to no avail," said Paul.
"It’s such a beautiful piece of history and, because of the craftsmanship that has gone into to it, would have been a sin to throw away. It has been a source of fascination for all our visitors."
"It’s my biggest bug bear when selfish people would rather throw something away rather than pass it on to charity - there’s no excuse in this day and age."
During Jelley’s 20 year chairmanship of the Building Committee of the Guardians, he campaigned for the building of the Poor Law offices, better accommodation for staff and temporary premises for 1000 inmates, who were removed from the old workhouse at Victoria Station in Nottingham.
The plaque reads: "Your services, given ungrudgingly, and often, meant equipment of an institution which probably will continue for many years to be the best of its kind in England."
Jelley was also awarded a silver dessert service alongside the plaque and was elevated to the City Magisterial Bench for his charitable work.
"We would just love to know that the Stockport Express could succeed where we failed.
"It would be a joy to know it was bringing as much delight to John Jelley's ancestors as it has to us," added Paul.
Nottingham City Library are currently looking into John Jelley’s family history on behalf of the paper.
However, if you have any information about John Jelley or his plaque, please contact Victoria Morley on 475 4825 or email victoria.morley@menwn.co.uk
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Stockport would do well to note his example. A town that is proud of its heritage seems very keen to cast its past to the gash bin to be replaced by "tat". I visited Home for the Beer Festival and was horrified by some of the things I saw. Beautiful Victorian buildings (eg North end of Wellington St) with trees growing from the masonry and parts of the roof missing. Let it become a public danger and replace it with yet more concrete and glass dross; at a profit, of course.
Mr Kagan, you should stay here where you are needed!
7/06/2008 at 00:52