Waddingtons Blue Plaque Unveiling!
Layton Grange, Layton Road, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5EU
Did you know?
Leeds was home to Waddingtons, Britain’s leading manufacturer of board games and playing cards, which produced the UK version of MONOPOLY from the 1930s and was responsible for the now-famous London properties in the game.
In September as part of Heritage Open Days Leeds Civic Trust are commemorating this rich heritage and history of Waddingtons with a range of events dedicated to Waddingtons and the unveiling of a blue plaque! The blue plaque is to be placed at Layton Grange in Horsforth, where Norman Victor Watson, the then Managing Director and, later, Chairman of John Waddington Ltd, resided between 1941-1969.
He was the first person to play MONOPOLY in the United Kingdom before it was launched with London landmarks in 1936 by Waddingtons.
Leeds Civic Trust Director Martin Hamilton said:
“Waddingtons is a brand with national recognition and MONOPOLY is a game with a global reach. The fact that both have such strong associations with the Leeds is something that deserves to be celebrated.”
Layton Grange, Layton Road, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5EU