On Thursday, 28 February, 2019, a special commemorative event took place to honour Bob Pelham, founder of Pelham Puppets. 

L to R: david Leech Sue Pelham Astrid Pelham and the Town Mayor, Cllr Lisa Farrell

Marlborough Town Mayor, Cllr. Lisa Farrell along with Astrid and Sue Pelham, Bob Pelham’s nieces, unveiled a Blue Plaque in Kingsbury Street, across from the Town Hall in Marlborough, Wiltshire to mark the place where Pelham Puppets were first produced.

The date coincided with a very special day, as it would have been Bob’s 100th birthday.

The Town Mayor, Councillor Farrell said, “This blue plaque is a fitting tribute to Bob Pelham who played a hugely important part in Marlborough’s history.

Many of Marlborough’s residents will remember the importance of Pelham Puppets to the town and may well have worked in Kingsbury Street or at the factory based in London Road. Others will have grown up playing with the internationally famous puppets and will have their own personal favourites. Today is our chance to say thank you.”

Following the unveiling there was a Reception attended by former employees of Pelham Puppets.

Pelham Puppets in Marlborough Museum
 
 
 
Pelham Puppets finally have their own dedicated space in Marlborough Museum, within the Merchant’s House on the High Street, for visitors to see and enjoy.
 
I installed the first, small display, on 12th August 2021, (with the help of “puppet expert,” Maggie – my granddaughter,) featuring half a dozen of the most popular puppets as well as some Pelpup News magazines and other information about the Pelham Puppet Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I replaced the existing display in October 2023 with a new set of puppets and related material that have been kindly donated to the museum by Huw Davies.
I also donated a painting (acrylics on canvas,) that I did showing the Pelham Puppet Factory as it looked in the 1970s.
The Museum Trust are delighted and very grateful to Huw for his very generous gift of the puppets and other items since, as we all know, Bob Pelham’s Company formed a very important part of Marlborough’s recent history.