Shepton Mallet Town Council has launched a Blue Plaque Project inviting residents to help recognise notable local people with heritage plaques in public locations.

Inspired by Historic England's scheme, the initiative aims to spark interest in the town's history and civic pride by celebrating individuals whose contributions shaped Shepton Mallet.

To engage the community, organisers are initially featuring four AI‑generated characters familiar to locals, before asking real nominations. Participants will be invited to explain why a nominee is notable, detail their contribution and impact, and provide supporting historical evidence.

A series of workshops will support this process, helping residents develop research skills, including how to use sources like the National Archives. Completed research will be reviewed by a panel as part of the Blue Plaque selection process.

Successful nominations will result in physical plaques installed around Shepton Mallet, helping boost heritage tourism and community awareness of local history.

Residents interested in nominating someone or joining the workshops are asked to complete the form provided by the Town Council.

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