Sir Frederick Gibberd
Sir Frederick Gibberd was an architect, town planner and landscape architect best known for his master plan for Harlow, the new town that he planned, oversaw the building of and lived in himself. He designed many of the neighbourhoods and buildings of Harlow, notably The Lawn block, Broomfield, Stackfield and Mark Hall Moors. Outside of Harlow he was noted for his designs for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool (1967) and the London Central Mosque (1969) along with a career that stretched from housing to nuclear power stations. He was an early member of the Modern Architectural Research Group (MARS) He was appointed CBE for services to architecture and town planning in 1954 and knighted in 1967.
(1908 – 1984) To honour the work of Sir Frederick Gibberd. Architect, Landscape Designer. Master Planner of Harlow 1947 – 1984. ‘If you seek my monument – look around you.’
Location – Water Gardens.
Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2008.
Dame Sylvia Crowe
‘It should be the aim of each of us … to leave our chosen corner not more vulgar … but lovelier and more dignified, after we have gone.’ Sylvia Crowe.
Syliva Crowe’s great talent was to design spaces for people, buildings and nature to co-exist, often with the illusion that the designed and built landscape was a natural one. She worked on projects that ranged from private gardens to power stations and Airforce bases and of course new towns such as Harlow.
She was Landscape Consultant to the Harlow Development Board and as such designed the Town Park. She instigated the use of construction material to create new land forms such as Lookout (Roly Poly) Hill in the Town Park and the undulating hillocks that run along the Netteswell Road cycle path – forms that provide visual interest and great playspaces. The Park benefits from a wide range of different types of spaces – hills, meadows, water features, statuesque trees and amenities such as the band stand, paddling pool and Pet’s Corner along with quiet corners and sculptures.
She was a prolific author on her subject including titles such as Tomorrow’s Landscape (1956), The Landscape of Roads (1960), The Landscape of Power (1963) and many more.
She was appointed a DBE in 1973.
(1901 – 1997) Landscape Architect of Harlow 1947 – 1963. In the park she designed.
Location – Spurriers House, Town Park.
Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2008.
Rene Morris
Rene Morris was a community activist and a Labour County and District Councillor for over 30 years. Health and Education were her key interests, and she championed the needs of elderly people and children with learning difficulties. She was involved in setting up the Leah Manning Centre and the Playhouse among many other town amenities.
(1916 – 2004) Community Activist. Labour Count and District Councillor. 1965 – 2004. Lived here. Dedicated to Harlow.
Location – The Chantry.
Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2009.
Sir Charles Kao
Educated in Hong Kong and London, Charles Kao worked alongside George Hockham at STL to test and develop the use of glass as a carrier for long distance communication. The results of their research, ‘… were published in the paper which is now recognised as the very beginning of the optical fibre revolution.’ Sir Charles was awarded the Nobel Physics Prize in 2009 for the invention of optical Fibre Communication at Standard Communication Labs 1960 – 1970.
(1933 – 2018) To honour the award to Sir Charles Kao of the Nobel Physics Prize 2009 for the invention of Optical Fibre Communication at Standard Telecommunication Labs 1960 – 1970. A Harlow Achievement. Location – Water Gardens. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2011.
Alec Reeves CBE
Alec Reeves had had a long and fruitful career before he led the STL team that would develop fibre optics. Among other things he had invented OBOE – an innovative and highly accurate bomber navigation system during WWII. Although a pacifist he supported the need to stop Hitler’s advance. He came up with the idea of digitising analogue communication as far back as 1937. He worked at STL from 1959 – 1971.
(1902 – 1972) To honour the memory of Alec Reeves CBE 1902 – 1971. Inventor of Pulse Code Modulation. Key to the Digital Age. Lived in Harlow and worked at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories 1959 – 1971.
Location – Water Gardens. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2012.
Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was the Conservative MP for Harlow as part of the Epping Division from 1924 – 1945, therefore including his five years as Prime Minister from 1940 – 1945. His plaque is located on the side of Victoria Hall because he addressed public meetings there throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The Harlow seat was created in 1974 out of the Epping constituency.
(1874 – 1965) Prime Minister 1940 – 1945 & 1951 – 1955. World Statesman who addressed meetings at this venue.
Location – Victoria Hall, St John’s Road, Old Harlow
Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2013
Dr. Charles Matheson Taylor
Dr Charles Matheson Taylor established the first general practice in Harlow new town, working his way through various temporary premises until settling at Nuffield House.
He had been working with Dr Norman Booth in Old Harlow but left in 1951 to work first in the Mark Hall Lodge House in Stackfield then at Haygarth House health centre which had been converted from a pair of semi-detached houses at The Chantry in Mark Hall North. Haygarth House operated from 1952 – 1955 and included doctors, dentists and mother and child clinic facilities as they were then called.
This was quite a departure from the traditionally isolated doctor’s surgery attached to a house. Medical professionals were able to work together, support each other and patients could have their needs met in one place. Dr Charles Taylor was instrumental in pioneering this new approach to treatment.
Dr Stephen Taylor persuaded the Nuffield Trust to fund a new purpose-built health centre at The Stow which opened in 1955 and Dr Charles Taylor worked there from 1955 to 1986.
(1921 – 2012) To honour the memory of Charles Matheson Taylor. Dedicated Medical Practitioner. Pioneer of Health Centres. Active in the community. At Nuffield House Harlow 1955 – 1986.
Location – Nuffield House, The Stow. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2014.
Sam Deards
Sam Deards invented among other things the cricket scoreboard with revolving figures and lived and worked in the area now known as Old Harlow. He was involved in the community in a range of ways; as a keen cricketeer himself, captain of the fire brigade, church organist and founder of the Old Couples’ Treat days out.
(1842 – 1922) Prize-winning entrepreneur. Inventor of cricket scoreboard, dry glazing & many other innovations. Captain of Fire Brigade. Sportaman, Organist, Founder of Old Couples’ Treat. Lived here in West House.
Location – West House, Market Street, Old Harlow. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2017.
Douglas Hayter
Douglas Hayter invented the rotary lawnmower in 1946, inspired by a horse drawn rotary mower that he adapted to be powered by a two stroke engine. He founded Hayter Ltd in Spellbrook in 1946 – a company that continues today – and in 1960 was awarded a Royal Warrant to provide horticultural equipment to the Sandringham Estate.
(1914 – 2000) Pioneer in the design of rotary mowers, mobile welders and many other machines & devices. Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce. Lived here at Granary Cottage. Location – Hayter’s former home at Granary Cottage, Mulberry Green. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2018.
The Alberni Quartet
The Alberni Quartet became Harlow’s resident string quartet in 1963, supported by grants from the Gulbenkian Foundation and Harlow District Council and contributing to the growing cultural scene in the new town. The four Royal College of Music students (Dennis Simons, Howard Davis, John White, and Gregory Baron) initially rehearsed in a disused laundrette, delivered many performances in Harlow and toured both the UK and overseas including performing at Carnegie Hall, New York. From 1968 the quartet comprised Howard Davis, Peter Pople, Roger Best, and David Smith and in later years there were various changes to the line-up.
To celebrate 50 years of music making by world famous Alberni String Quartet who, supported initially by Harlow Council, later performed regularly here for nearly 30 years at St. John’s ARC.
Location – St John’s ARC, Old Harlow. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2022.
Lord Stephen Taylor
Lord Stephen Taylor had a wide-ranging life and career. Most significantly for Harlow were his development of the Health Centre model which started in Harlow and was then run out across the country along with the establishment of the Occupational Health Service, right in the heart of the town’s industry. He also suggested naming the New Town pubs after butterflies and moths. Once he left Harlow he served as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, which led to the university having a campus here in Harlow. This was after working as a medical doctor and being an MP in the post-war Attlee government.
(1910 – 1988) Stephen Taylor, Lord Taylor of Harlow. Physician, Politician, Author. Health Centre Pioneer. Founder Harlow Occupational Health Service. Member Harlow Development Corporation. President & Vice-Chancellor Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Location – Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Maltings building in Old Harlow. Erected by Harlow Civic Society 2024
John Graham
Other Blue Plaques in the town
Rodney Wood (1933 – 2005) Dedicated stockman and manager of Pets Corner 1966 – 1992. He always put his animals first. Location: Pets Corner.
Martin Lawn MSc (1937 – 2015) Chair Harlow Health Centres Trust. Ex-chair Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow Theatre Trust and Harlow Co-op Party. Member Harlow Development Corporation. Leader Harlow Council. School and College Governor. Socialist and supporter of charitable causes. Location – Lister House. Erected by Harlow Health Centres Trust 2020.
Sarah Flowers Adams (1805 – 1848) authoress of the hymn “Nearer my God to Thee” was born here.