College of West Anglia presents replica medieval plaque for King’s Lynn Guildhall
The College of West Anglia (CWA) has presented a handcrafted replica of the historical St George and the Dragon plaque to King’s Lynn Guildhall, marking a special moment as restoration of one of the town’s most significant heritage buildings gets underway.
The replica has been created by Anne Roberts, a long-standing member of the College of West Anglia’s Art and Design team, with support from Paul Ebbens, Ceramic Lecturer, and Matt Moore, Art and Design Technician. The project was further supported by Kim Leonard, Treasurer of the King’s Lynn Civic Society, who crafted the wooden backing on which the Guild plaque is mounted.
The piece has been produced as a tribute to an original medieval timber painted panel and the seal of the Guild of St George, both of which display this same design. There was also a large piece of carved masonry displaying the design, last known to be in St George’s Yard, which was off Norfolk Street. All three of these pieces are integral to the history of St George’s Guild and are thought to date back to the 15th Century.
The Guildhall of St George, located in the heart of King’s Lynn, is the largest surviving 15th century guildhall in England and has played a central role in the town’s cultural and civic life for over 600 years. It has an unparalleled history of theatrical performance and is the last working theatre thought to have hosted William Shakespeare.
As the flagship scheme of the King’s Lynn Town Deal Programme and a priority of the Pride in Place Programme, it is currently being sensitively preserved and enhanced by the Borough Council as a local, regional and international centre for arts, creativity and theatre for everyone to enjoy.
The replica plaque’s formal hand-over ceremony took place at the College of West Anglia’s King’s Lynn campus, where Kerry Heathcote, Vice Principal and Deputy CEO at CWA formally presented the plaque to King’s Lynn Mayor, councilor, Andy Bullen, marking the culmination of the project.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kerry Heathcote, who is also Vice Chair of King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, said, “This plaque represents a meaningful collaboration between the College of West Anglia and one of King’s Lynn’s most treasured historical buildings. It is a privilege to see the skill, care and historical understanding that Anne, Matt and Paul have reflected in a piece that honours the town’s medieval past and strengthens our connection with the local community.”
In recognition of the importance of heritage buildings to King’s Lynn and the wider region, the College of West Anglia has also published a new Introduction to Built Heritage City and Guilds Assured programme, introduced in September 2024. The course reflects the college’s commitment to preserving local heritage skills and supporting understanding of historic environments, ensuring future generations are equipped to protect and care for the town’s significant built heritage.
Councillor Simon Ring, Deputy Council Leader, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see this beautiful replica plaque presented to the Guildhall. It is a wonderful example of how our local skills, creativity and heritage can come together to enrich this landmark project.
“Gifts like this demonstrate the vital role that community engagement plays in the long-term success of the restoration. The future of this historic building depends not just on bricks and mortar, but on the sense of shared ownership, pride and participation from our residents, educators and creative partners. This contribution from the College of West Anglia is exactly the kind of collaboration that will ensure the Guildhall thrives for generations to come.”
Tim FitzHigham, Creative Director for the Guildhall and Cultural Officer for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk said: “It is really exciting to receive such a thoughtful and appropriate gift from the College of West Anglia and especially one created with the talents of Anne Roberts, who has been a long-standing supporter of the arts and theatre at the Guildhall.
“The original on which this design is based stretches back to the heart of the 15th century and is central to the story of St George’s Guild. This design can be seen on the seal of the Guild of St George in the Stories of Lynn, and I encourage everyone to have a look at that too as it’s really very special. Plans are moving forward to ensure this wonderful gift stays safe during the renovations where we’d love it to form part of the interpretation journey of the newly opened site.”
Anne Roberts added “I really enjoyed the process of designing and creating the plaque with Paul and Matt. After being invited to create the plaque by the Shakespeare Guildhall Trust. We worked on the piece over six to nine months, developing the design around the original plaque which features St George and the Dragon, into a circular form. It was wonderful to see everyone at the presentation, and I’m looking forward to visiting the plaque once the Guildhall has been fully restored.”
The Guildhall and Creative Hub project will see the medieval venue, empty buildings and courtyards revived as inspiring, welcoming spaces for everyone, creating a heritage destination, new food and drink offer, a home for creative industries and a year-round programme of performances, events and education programmes. The main works started in November, with the site scheduled to reopen in 2028.
Led by the Borough Council, the project is in partnership with King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, Historic England and Norfolk Museum Service, in collaboration with the National Trust who owns the freehold of part of the Guildhall site.