Friday 10 October. 12:30. At Otley Parish Church, Otley Parish Church, Kirkgate,
Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 3HW
Leeds Civic Trust invites you to our 205th blue plaque unveiling, commemorating Elizabeth Garnett (1839–1921), a remarkable social reformer and founder of the Navvy Mission Society.
Born in Otley in 1839, Garnett dedicated her life to supporting navvies: the itinerant workers who built much of Britain’s infrastructure in the 19th century. She founded the Navvy Mission Society in 1877, offering both spiritual and practical support to these workers and their families. Her work included setting up schools, organising medical care, and campaigning for better housing and working conditions.
Garnett challenged the negative stereotypes surrounding navvies, and her efforts played a major role in changing public perceptions. Her approach to social welfare influenced future reform movements and continues to resonate today.
All are welcome to attend!
The plaque is sponsored by Yorkshire Water, with support from the Industrial Christian Fellowship and Otley Town Council.
Please note the plaque will be unveiled on an easel and later installed close to the Navvies Memorial in Otley Parish Churchyard, a site with strong personal and historical connections to Garnett. The memorial was consecrated by her father, Joshua Hart, then vicar of Otley.
This event is free to attend, but we ask attendees to register so we can predict crowd sizes. Click here to register.
Further reading:
Useful Information
Date: Friday 10 October
Time: Unveiling will start from 12:30pm
Location: At Otley Parish Church, Otley Parish Church, Kirkgate,
Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 3HW
Booking link: Click here to register
