European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ndon a plaque on All your houses City honors its Rich and famous with status saucers Charles Dickens above has his plaque Jimi Hendrix left May get his soon. By David Spittles London observer service visitors to London will be familiar with the circular Blue discs that Here and there adorn the outside wails of City houses. This May for example in a Belgravia backstreet Alfred lord Tennyson will become the 610th person to be honoured by such a plaque. Pioneered by the Royal society of arts the distinctive commemorative plates celebrate their 125th anniversary this summer and English heritage the conservation organization which is the current guardian of the project is inviting property owners to suggest worthy candidates worthy but not necessarily famous the Blue plaques have been criticized for resurrecting individuals who Are too obscure and for being elitist. This now seems set to change English heritage reveals that Rock Star Jimi Hendrix and playwright Joe Orton Are on the current list of contenders. One reason such colourful figures Are in the Frame is that casualties of the swinging 60s now qualify for Blue plaque honors. Candidates must have died at least 20 years ago or been born More than 100 years ago. English heritage says this is to ensure the person enjoys genuinely lasting Fame rather than Flash in the pan celebrity status. In fact Ever since Orton was bludgeoned to death by his Lover in an Islington be Sitter in 1967, his followers have been demanding recognition. Orton already features prominently in the Pink plaque guide to London an alternative version which offers potted biographies and addresses of noted Gays All deceased who lived in London. The site of the Low income House in the midlands City of Leicester where he grew up was marked by the focal authority in 1989. Islington Council also put up their own plaque a Green one at the House where Ron met his gruesome end. English heritage says plaques Are meant to highlight the association Between the person and the property the person must either deserve recognition be eminent or have made a positive contribution to human welfare or  this is Why Tommy Handley a world War ii radio comedian is up there with Winston Churchill . Eliot and Charles Dickens. Rogues Are ruled out unless their misdemeanours have become endearing in some Way. We often get suggestions for Jack the Ripper says Pam Whiffin of English heritage. But he s yet to get through the  politically controversial figures also present a problem. English heritage rejected the Kensington House where Ezra Pound lived because his fascist leanings might offend passers by. The program is sponsorship led meaning proposers Haveko pay $225 for a plaque but the Council is prepared to waive the "20 years dead Rule. We Are looking seriously at erecting a plaque at 3 savile Row where the beatles played their last concert together on the roof Whiffin says. However plaques cannot be erected indiscriminately says Whiffin we have to get the owner s consent. Some people Are reluctant because they think it May disturb their  ,. Estate agents stress that historical heavyweights can add value to a House. A plaque gives a property an Aura and a bit of Romance says one London agent. If the prospective buyer has an interest in the person commemorated the House must be More  meanwhile the glazed Ceramic saucers used by English heritage Are developing a value of their own thieves. Have taken to stealing them in the night. Distributed by Scrippa Howard news service 8 stripes Magazine August 25, 1994