AN AUTHOR from the 18th century, a musician from the 19th century and a rock band from the 1970s could be honoured with a blue plaque in Ross-on-Wye.

At last week’s Ross Town Council's community, markets and tourism committee meeting, members debated if a forgotten benefactor and musician Bernhard Molique Carrodus, a violinist who played for Queen Victoria and toured with famous singers at the end of the 19th Century, should be honoured with a blue plaque.

During the debate two further suggestions were put forward, William Gilpin who wrote Britain’s first travel guidebook, ‘Observations on the River Wye’ which was published in 1782 and prompted travellers from across Britain to flock to Ross and begin their tour of the Wye Valley.

The other nomination was to recognise the rock band Mott the Hoople which boasted two musicians from Ross, guitarist Pete Overend Watts and drummer Dale Buffin Griffin.

The members were told that when Drew Lacey was mayor of the town in 1985, he instigated the first batch of blue plaques to be erected in the town in co-operation with the Civic Society.

Councillor Ed O’Driscoll said that he believed that Mr Carrodus was a worthy candidate for a blue plaque and added: “I think there is merit to this when the council updates its trails to have a blue plaque trail. I believe that Mott the Hoople should be included along with Mr Gilpin.”

The members asked for the costings in producing a blue plaque and councillors were told that in Mr Carrodus’ case, planning permission would be needed for a blue plaque to be erected on the Corn Exchange, which is a listed building.

Carrodus Smoking Concerts were held at The Corn Exchange and The Royal Hotel both of which attracted top musicians of the late 19th century to join him.

Mr Carrodus was the pinnacle of Ross society, his death notice from 1935 reads like an edition of Burke’s Peerage given his fame and his connections. His obituary credits him as giving generously to worthy causes in Ross.

The town council approved the blue plaque proposal for Mr Carrodus, providing that costs were acceptable and planning permission is granted by Herefordshire Council.

It was suggested that the venue to honour Mott the Hoople could be the former Top Spot Ballroom, now Jacqueline's Nite Spot, in Kyrle Street. The venue was then owned by Harvey Fear and was popular with bands during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

Before Pete Watts and Dale Griffin joined Doc Thomas Group, which later became Mott the Hoople, both had been members of Ross-based band the Soulents.

A building or structure close to the River Wye, was put forward as a plaque location to honour Mr Gilpin.

Cllr O’Driscoll concluded: “We’ve got three excellent nominees for blue plaques. But if anybody else has any worth suggestions to put forward, then let the council know.

“We will debate the merits of the Mott the Hoople and Mr Gilpin proposals along with any new suggestions at the next committee meeting on March 11.”