Blue plaque dedicated to anti-slavery campaigner Rev James Bicheno unveiled

Newbury Town Council has unveiled its 16th blue plaque on the gate post of Greenham House, writes Kyra Radley.

The plaque is dedicated to Rev James Bicheno, who was a campaigner against slavery, and Baptist minister of Newbury from 1780 to 1792.

The site chosen was previously a boarding school for boys, which Rev Bicheno ran.

He was an active member of Newbury’s community and a protester.

He organised two petitions against the slave trade that were presented to Parliament in 1788 and 1792.

His second petition gained 333 signatures, including the mayor at the time, Joseph Toomer.

The slave trade was abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833 and Rev Bicheno helped fight for this.

Town council vice-chairman Nigel Foot (Lib Dem, West Fields) said: “James Bicheno was a highly respected member of Newbury Society.

"During his time in America as a young man, he had first-hand experience of slavery and that had given him experience of slavery and made him a fervent campaigner against the slave trade in later life.

"The town council is very grateful to Newbury Gardens Day Nursery for agreeing to host the plaque, and to the Bristol Baptist College Library for valuable historical information and Rev Bicheno’s portrait.

"We would also like to thank the Newbury Society for a generous donation to the cost of the plaque, and Mr Willie Hartley Russell MVO for his support.”

The unveiling took place on Friday, July 29, and was attended by the mayor of Newbury Gary Norman.

Further details on Rev Bicheno’s history can be found on the Newbury Town Council website.