Book files ready

Today marks what was once known as a 'red letter day', which originally referred to special red dates marked on calendars for feast days or bank holidays.

On reflection, today is even more special than that.  All of the computer files which have been carefully designed and compiled during the past few years, have now been merged, paginated and indexed.  All details, including photograph credts, last-minute inclusions of yet more pictures, and whether or not to include a comma here and there, have been dealt with.  The author's pen, or its computer-age equivalent, is now rested.  At least until work continues afresh on Volume 2.  All that remains is the arrival of the ISBN information; the files will then be sent to the printer.

It is, indeed, a momentous day.

Yet activity does not stop.  This morning I have turned my attention to an image which will be referred to in Volume 2.  It is a much-degraded copy which appeared in the Herts Advertiser shortly after the death of William Peake, the founder of the coat factory and its fine buildings opposite Clarence Park in Hatfield Road; buildings alas, which were demolished.

This plaque was placed on the wall just inside the main door.  The big question, though, is: what happened to the plaque?  Was it destroyed?  Was it handed to surviving members of the Peake family?  Was it acquired by an enterprising employee at the time the factory closed?  I can confirm that it was not placed in the replacement building.

Were you a former Peake's employee?  Do you recognise this plaque?
Do you know where it is now?

Certainly, the plaque deserves its place in the East End's Hall of Fame: St Albans' East End in One Hundred Objects.  The first fifty appear in Volume 1, with the remainder taking their place in Volume 2.  If you have any information about the plaque, the author would be delighted to hear from you.