DROITWICH paid tribute to Spa legend John Heminge, credited with saving William Shakespeare’s work for the world, on Saturday by unveiling a plaque dedicated to him in the church where he was baptised.
A special plaque unveiling ceremony was held at St Peter’s Church on the 467th anniversary of his baptism there.
The plaque’s inscription summarises Heminge’s life and achievements.
This year marks 400 years since Heminge and Henry Condell, both friends of the Bard, edited and published ‘The First Folio’, which included classics such as Macbeth and Julius Caesar.
Before that, 18 of the 36 plays had never been published and some of Shakespeare’s most famous scripts may never have survived.
After moving to London, he became an actor and manager of the King’s Men, and he died in 1630.
The plaque unveiling was among several activities held to mark The First Folio’s anniversary, including having a Heminge-themed Christmas lights switch-on and a temporary exhibition at Droitwich Heritage Centre celebrating his work.
Town historian Paul Jones has suggested Droitwich make more of its ‘super Shakespearian link’ by holding annual events celebrating Heminge.
