Maltby Local History Society has, despite the lockdown, now brought its Fred Kitchen Blue Plaque Project to fruition.
Fred Kitchen (1890 to 1969) was an agricultural labourer, writer, broadcaster and Methodist lay preacher who spent his formative years in Maltby. On 16th July a commemorative plaque, in his honour, was fixed to the wall of the Wesley Centre.
Fred Kitchen’s masterpiece, ‘Brother to the Ox’ was published in 1940. The book includes a mildly fictionalised account of his early life in ‘Little Norwood’ (actually Maltby) and this incorporates references to the Wesleyan Chapel on Blyth Road (the stone building which now forms part of the Wesley Centre).
Thanks are due to the members and friends of the society who raised most of the money with a film evening on 11th March 2020, to Fred’s family for enthusiastic support, to Rotherham and District Civic Society who organised manufacture of the plaque and to the directors and staff of Maltby Community Development Trust who helped at every stage. Much appreciation also to the Earl of Scarbrough for helping the group over the final hurdle.
