A blue plaque is set to be placed in honour of Sir John Jarvis, a philanthropist who helped a town during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Born in London, Sir John founded the Surrey Fund, investing around £40,000 in Jarrow to create jobs and establish the town’s famed Monkton Stadium and Monkton Dene Park. The South Tyneside Council deputy leader, Audrey Huntley, stated that the plaque acknowledges the role Jarvis played in uplifting the region during its “dark days.”
The unveiling of the plaque is significant because it represents the impact that Sir John had at a time when the town was suffering. Following the closure of Jarrow’s shipyard, which had employed 10,000 people, poverty had become rife. Sir John, who was a Conservative MP and wealthy economist, was moved to help out after witnessing the suffering in the area. The help rendered by the Surrey Fund, valued at an estimated £4m today, led to the regeneration of the region, with Jarrow Tube Works being developed, businesses being created, and scrap being provided for the steelworks.
Additionally, the philanthropist ensured that the area’s athletic needs were taken care of, donating the Jarvis Cup to the Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club of which he was the first president. The Monkton Dene Park, the town’s stadium, and particular youth sports leagues also benefited from his generosity. Local historian Tom Tweddell, who supported Jarvis’s nomination, opined that “The gift of all that time and money shows his genuineness of spirit. It is that voluntary generosity that creates his enduring legacy and gives it its real value.”
The blue plaque erected in York Avenue, close to Monkton Dene Park, was sponsored by the Jarvis family and Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club, who recognized the incredible help their town had received from Sir John. The plaque is another testament to the impact made by individuals during difficult times.
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