A councillor wants residents to help compile a list of city people who are well known to their communities, but have never received real recognition.

At a town hall meeting tomorrow, Werrington North Cllr John Fox will urge his fellow councillors to "give priority to naming any new roads after those people who are true characters of Peterborough".

Cllr Fox believes such people may already be known to many people living in Peterborough, but may not "have been fully recognised for the contribution that they gave to the city".


WHO would you like to see have a street named after them? What about Fry Drive, MacAnthony Mews, King Kenny Crescent or Nobby the Tramp Terrace? Comment below.


In years gone by, a number of roads have been named after former city councillors and mayors, including Maud Swift Court, Holdich Street, Percival Street and Williamson Avenue, while a similar trend was followed when it came to naming Arthur Mellows, Jack Hunt, John Mansfield and Ken Stimpson schools.

While some civic leaders are undoubtedly worthy of such recognition, Cllr Fox believes future streets should be named after Peterborough's more colourful characters.

And with dozens of new roads likely to be created in the development of Stanground South, the ongoing Hampton township, Paston Reserve, Great Haddon and Norwood over the next 15 years, there won't be a shortage of streets to choose from.

Among the suggestions raised by Cllr Fox are Ted Hammond, who ran a company hiring boats on the River Nene Embankment and "who knew the river better than anyone".

Another leading contender is strongman Walter Cornelius, who became synonymous in Peterborough for breaking records.

In 1966, the Latvian immigrant became world sausage eating champion, after munching his way through 23 in 10 minutes, while he also set records for skipping with a 48lb chain for 90 minutes, pushing a double decker bus half a mile with his head and eating three-and-a-half pounds of raw onions in two minutes and two seconds.

Cllr Fox said: "There are traditional ways that people are rewarded for what they have done in Peterborough, such as being granted the Freedom of the City, but I think the real characters of the city deserve to be recognised for the contribution they have made. They are characters that we should be proud of."

Other names that Cllr Fox threw into the hat were former police officer Harry Perrin and city entrepreneur and Great Northern Hotel proprietor Peter Boizot.

He also raised the possibility of naming roads after Peterborough's sporting legends, such as prolific Posh goalscorer Terry Bly.

Cllr Fox will raise the motion at the meeting in the town hall, on Wednesday, July 16, at 7pm.