Honour for garden pioneer

The life and work of William Shenstone will be remembered when a blue plaque is placed in Halesowen in his memory.

Shenstone, who was born on November 18 1714, was a poet and one of the first exponents of landscape gardening through the development of his estate at The Leasowes in Halesowen. The blue plaque to commemorate his work will be placed at the entrance to Halesowen Golf Club, which is near to The Leasowes, on November 15.

The Leasowes, now a public park, contains the remains of one of the most important and influential landscapes of the 18th century.

The garden there was designed by Shenstone, beginning in 1743 and continuing until his death in 1763.

The Leasowes is still of major historic significance ranking in importance with landscapes such as Blen-heim and Stowe, and being listed as Grade 1 on the English Heritage 'Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England'.

The plaque will be unveiled by Halesowen councillor John Woodall, a former mayor of Dudley, at 11am.

Councillor Charles Fraser Macnamara, Dudley cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "The blue plaque scheme has been a big success and I'm delighted to see the life and works of William Shenstone are to be recognised.

"We would like to thank the Friends of Leasowes for their help in ensuring this plaque was produced in memory of another true borough great."

The Friends of The Leasowes in Halesowen have been instrumental in ensuring Shenstone's life is recognised through the blue plaque scheme.

The first plaque in the Dudley area was in memory of Sir Cedric Hardwicke four years ago.

Following on from this, in 2005 Dudley Council officially set up the plaque scheme which has since seen comedians Billy Dainty and Clarkson Rose honoured.

Chairman of the Friends of The Leasowes, Marianne Diller, said: "We are pleased that along with other improvements in the park it has been possible to include a blue plaque as a permanent reminder of the life and work of William Shenstone."