BASINGSTOKE Heritage Society has unveiled its 22nd blue plaque – this time commemorating local illustrator and fine artist Diana Stanley.

Diana illustrated some children’s books – notably The Borrowers series by Mary Norton and Worzel Gummidge by Barbara Euphan Todd.

However, Debbie Reavell, from Basingstoke Heritage Society, said: “Her great contribution to Basing-stoke is a book called Within Living Memory which she published in 1969.

“It is an affectionate history of Basingstoke, in which she set out to record buildings, views and features which were to disappear, at the time of town development in the 1960s.

“She took great pleasure in seeking out the beauty in the ordinary. In May 1966, she had an exhibition in the town and said: ‘Most of us are half blind to the beauty of the familiar. We see our surroundings through eyes and minds that are jaded by living.’ “She has left us with some beautiful illustrations of a particular moment in Basingstoke’s history. It seemed right that the Basingstoke Heritage Society should remember her work in Basingstoke with this plaque.”

The blue plaque can be seen on the west wall of the old coach-house and stable in Cliddesden Road, that was once part of the artist’s home called Hillstead.

The house was demolished in 1979 and Hillstead Court retirement apartments were built on the site.

The plaque was unveiled by Hampshire County Councillor and former Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Councillor Brian Gurden. He said he was honoured to unveil the plaque in honour of the artist who died in 1975.

Cllr Gurden, who is president of Basingstoke Art Club and a member of Basingstoke Heritage Society, once owned a Diana Stanley pastel of Birch Cottage, in Hackwood Road.

He said: “I’ve passed it to my daughter Josephine, who lives at Birch Cottage. It’s very nice and was painted as viewed from Stark Alley, near where Diana Stanley lived in Cliddesden Road.”