Jane Moss and Professor Edward Chaney unveil a blue plaque at the former home of Ebenezer Le Page author G. B. Edwards on Wednesday. The public is being asked to suggest other islanders who could be commemorated. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0645464)

THE island’s first blue plaque to commemorate those who have made Guernsey into the island it is today was unveiled on Wednesday.

G. B. Edwards, celebrated author of Ebenezer Le Page, lived in Hawkesbury House in Braye du Val from the age of one to 17.

The sign on his former home is the first step to realising the great people who have made Guernsey their home, said Jane Moss, who spearheaded the initiative to install the plaque.

‘I recently joined the Guernsey Arts sub committee and this was quite personal to me,’ she said. ‘I felt upset that the island hadn’t been more involved in celebrating this great work.’

The unveiling marked the first in a series of events that Mrs Moss hopes islanders will become involved with.

‘We would like the public to decide who else should be commemorated within the island. It doesn’t matter if they’re scientific, arty or academic, as long as they gave something to the island. It is a shame that Victor Hugo gets all of the attention when he wasn’t even born on the island.’