ALTON has a new Blue Heritage Plaque, erected on the wall of 100 High Street.

The property was once the home of Peter and Iona Opie – a husband-and-wife team of world-renowned folklorists, who applied modern techniques to children’s literature, summarised in their studies The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes (1951) and The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren (1959).

The Opies lived at 100 High Street between 1949 and 1959, during which time they authored their first great achievement in the field with their acknowledged masterpiece which is still a reference book in teacher training worldwide.

They were also noted anthologists, and assembled large collections of children’s literature, toys and games.

Now the offices of solicitors Downie and Gadban, the unveiling of the plaque last Saturday was timed to mark the centenary of Peter Opie’s birth.

Alton’s deputy town mayor, Cllr Allan Chick, was joined for the short ceremony outside 100 High Street by special guests from London, Peter and Iona Opie’s two sons, James and Robert.

The unveiling was followed by a gathering at Alton Methodist Church where children from Anstey Junior School performed The Way We Played and local choir Ancora sang a piece written by Phillip Andrews especially in honour of

the Opies entitled Singing Games Suite.

Robert and James Opie then cut a celebration cake in honour of their parents.