Giles writes...

We're currently backing up our friend and colleague Maggie Durran in Northampton. Maggie has convened a group of people with an interest in marketing the substantial - but substantially unknown - heritage of this celebrated shoe-making town. Next year the group may submit a Heritage Lottery Fund grant application to fund a few initiatives.

An ‘easy win' in these circumstances is often a locally-based plaque scheme. These are of course inspired by the English Heritage scheme in London, but usually react to the fusty image of the famous blue plaques, which celebrate only those who have been dead for 20 years, or have passed the centenary of their birth.

A typical alternative scheme is that run by my own local authority, Southwark Council, with residents promoting (as I did, here ) and voting for their favourite subjects, as well as celebrity endorsements and high-profile unveilings.

On my Christmas visit to Morehead City, which included a visit to Beaufort, I was struck by both towns' approach to plaques. Beaufort has a compact and handsome historical core, with  a profusion of ‘to die for' ancient white clapboard houses, civic buildings and churches. Many of these are adorned with plaques, giving the name of the house (often that of its first, or most famous inhabitant) and the date of construction.

The plaques are as beautiful as the houses , and a little research reveals - courtesy of the Beaufort Artist blog -  that 1) they are indeed works of art and 2) there has been a succession of ‘plaque persons', individuals tasked with researching the houses, painting new plaques and refurbishing old ones.

I love the Beaufort scheme, and I love the idea of an associated cottage industry. Let's do it...