Park honour for a science great

Peter Connor with his crafted wooden plaque in honour of Batley scientist Sir Robert Edwards. (d605a236)

Published on 11/09/2012 07:00

HE’S one of the world’s most accomplished scientists.

Now Nobel prize winner Sir Robert Edwards is set to receive yet another honour, this time from the people of his home town.

Batley-born Sir Robert and colleague Patrick Steptoe together developed in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), which led to the birth of the world’s first ‘test tube baby’, Louise Brown, in 1978.

Their work has since enabled 4m children to be born to otherwise childless couples across the globe.

Batley History Group has now arranged for a special tree to be planted in Wilton Park in Sir Robert’s honour.

The tree, a copper beech, will be planted by the Mayor of Kirklees, Coun David Ridgway, outside Bagshaw Museum at 3pm on September 22. Sir Robert, now 86, will not be there but in his place will be his daughter Jenny Joy, who said she was delighted the town was honouring her father.

The idea began when Susan White, the History Group’s secretary, was carrying out research into Sir Robert’s background and learned he was interested in trees.

She suggested that, as he could not be honoured with a blue plaque because he was still alive, his connection with the town might be marked by one of his favourite trees.

The copper beech will be accompanied by a special wooden sign, hand crafted by History Group member Peter Connor, a former science teacher.

Group chairman Malcolm Haigh said he hoped people would turn out for the tree-planting to show their respect for Sir Robert.

He said: “Batley have many locally born people of whom the town can be proud and Sir Robert ranks high among them.”

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Park honour for a science great

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