Plans afoot for Eton history trail on High Street

CURIOUS minds could soon be guided through a town's history via a special tour.

Councillor George Fussey, Royal Borough councillor for Eton, announced plans for the Eton History Trail during Tuesday's Royal Borough Visitor Management Forum, held at The Guildhall in High Street, Windsor.

Underfoot stones would depict famous faces from Eton's history, starting on the Windsor side of Windsor and Eton Bridge and continuing along both sides of High Street, Eton, and could stretch as far as Eton College.

Cllr Fussey said: "The aim of this is to celebrate the history of Eton and the people associated with it, to increase footfall along the High Street - a perennial problem for us as a community - and to encourage collaboration between the college, the town council, community association and traders' association."

The stones would be caricatures of famous Etonians such as old Eton College schoolmaster Richard Porny, and may also include information on contemporary townspeople.

The chance to design the trail's artwork could become a public competition, while there would be an accompanying leaflet pointing out areas of interest along the trail.

Cllr Fussey has had positive response from all organisations involved, and the town council has pledged some funding. Cllr Fussey also hopes to use S106 funding to help fund the project.

The forum's chairman, Alan Mellins, said: "Anything that spreads people's attention elsewhere is very welcome. Let's get people looking around more."