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After
campaigning for over three years, the
Webmaster, Jeanette Sitton, succeeded
in having Joseph formerly and publicly
commemorated, by way of a tribute plaque.
The unveiling took place on the 15th
May 2004, by the
Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor
Ramnik Kavia, (deceased), in Joseph's
hometown of Leicester, at Wharf Street
South, corner of Gladstone Street, (the
site of the ex-Gaeity Theatre, where
Joseph first appeared, earning a living
in a show. As his birth place at 50
Lee Street has long been demolished,
this site, just a few minutes away,
was the next best location. |
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His
Lordship gave a wonderful commemorative
speech and had quite obviously taken
time to investigate Joseph's life storyprovided
a superb introduction to Joseph and
his life ordeals. His Lordship showed
a deep compassion and empathy for Joseph
Merrick and was wholeheartedly in support
of him being remembered in this way
and agreed that a commemoration
was long
over due. |
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It
was a real honour to have him present
the plaque. I know Joseph would have
been really, "chuffed". |
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Commemoration
event |
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It
was a very warm, friendly and compassionate
ceremony - people clasping each other's
hands in welcoming, caring gestures
and everyone generally entering into
the spirit of the affair. |
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Even
the English weather held out. It was
a bright, sunny and very warm day. If
you look closely, you will see white
puffy clouds sailing by, reflected in
the highly polished black granite. The
sky itself was vivid blue. Beautiful!!
That's why in the photo above, the plaque
appears to be blue-ish. It was actually
highly polished BLACK granite. |
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Rebecca
Timmons, a 'Friend of the Joseph Carey
Merrick Foundation' came along. She
is also a dear 'Friend', in the literal
sense. She flew over from Salt Lake
City (USA) for the occasion. She said,
"feeling the way I do about Joseph
Merrick, how could I not be present
for such an auspicious and historic
event? I knew in my heart that this
was something I really
needed to do. Joseph
has greatly inspired my life and he
will continue to give me strength,
courage and hope throughout my life.
Being at the ceremony, was my way
of saying Thank You Joseph" The
Webmaster met Rebecca through this
website a fews ago. Such a lovely
lady.
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To
read about Joseph's skeleton at the Royal
London Hospital, click here. |
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| The
Plaque |
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Glen
Andrews, the Stonemason, (also from Leicester),
created the wonderful oval black granite plaque,
with inlaid goldleaf lettering. He did it
completely free of charge. "It was a
labour of love", he said. The plaque's
inscription, in gold lettering, reads: |
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"Joseph
Carey Merrick, Son of Leicester, 1862-1890.
A true model of bravery & dignity for
all peoples, of all generations. Erected by
his Friends, worldwide in 2004".
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A
BBC TV Nottingham film crew and BBC Radio
Leicester were there, to record the event.
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So,
after one hundred and fourteen years, we were
finally able to give Joseph something back
- a kind and
compassionate
gesture. |
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