Latest Southwark blue plaque shortlist revealed

Nominees up for the public vote include Southwark's first black Mayor Sam King, the inventor of Bovril, the National Youth Theatre, and the workhouse that inspired Dickens' Oliver Twist. Three 'winning' plaques will be installed after voting closes on 4 August.

Information about nominees can be found on the Southwark website and votes can be cast by emailing [email protected] or by post to Blue Plaques, Southwark Council, 15 Spa Road, London SE16 3QW.

"This is the fourth year we've run our plaque scheme but the nominations just keep on coming, which shows just how many famous people and places have called Southwark home over the centuries," says Cllr Lorraine Zuleta, executive member for culture, leisure and sport.

"We believe we're the only borough where people can have a say about who gets recognised, so now's your chance to make a mark on history."

Southwark Council's blue plaques scheme was born in 2002 to give residents and visitors the chance to decide which local icons, past and present, they want to see remembered with a plaque.

Thousands of people have voted over the last four years. SE1 locations recognised with Southwark blue plaques include the site of the Rose Theatre, the home of Mary Wollstonecraft, the site of the Tabard Inn immortalised by Chaucer and a plaque recognising Sam Wanamaker's efforts to rebuild the Globe Theatre.

2006 shortlist

Octavia Hill (1838-1912), social housing reformer and founder of the National Trust who created Red Cross Garden.

Manze's Pie and Mash Shop: Tower Bridge Road. The Peckham branch was honoured with a plaque last year.

James Braidwood (1800-1861): Local hero and one of the last of the insurance company fire chiefs. Died in the Great Fire of Tooley Street. There is an existing plaque in Tooley Street.

John & Sir John Rennie
John Rennie 1761-1821: Chief engineer in charge of building of Waterloo, Southwark and London Bridges

Sir John Rennie – Completed his father's London Bridge in 1831

Dr Selina Fox
Founder of Bermondsey Mission Hospital and champion of poor and disadvantaged women in Bermondsey.

Thomas Keyse: Artist and founder of Bermondsey Spa. Also nominated in 2003 and shortlisted in 2005.

John Stansfeld 'The Doctor' (1854-1939)
Started the Oxford and Bermondsey Boys Club and helped to define the shape of modern boys' club work and social policy more widely.

Sam King (born 1926)
Southwark's first black mayor

Sam Mussabini (1867-1927)
One of this country's first sports coaches, immortalised in the film 'Chariots of Fire'.

National Youth Theatre: founded in Dulwich.

J L Johnstone: Inventor of Bovril; lived at Kingswood House in Dulwich.

Harry Cole: A local volunteer and writer who has written books on his experiences as a bobby on the beat in Walworth.

The Mint Street or St. Saviour's Union Workhouse: may have been Dickens' model for Oliver Twist.

Cross Bones Graveyard: Cross Bones Graveyard was a medieval burial ground, originally for 'Winchester Geese' (prostitutes).

Tappen House
Georgian villa in Dulwich occupied by 34 Dutch secret agents during World War Two.