A new memorial wall is to be constructed facing Sir Alexander Fleming’s childhood home to mark the upcoming 100th anniversary of his discovery of penicillin.
The centenary, in September 2028, is expected to attract worldwide interest – with attention inevitably set to turn to the scientist’s hometown of Darvel.
As the town gears up for the occasion, Darvel Improvement Group has launched an appeal to revamp a memorial to its most famous son. The existing Fleming memorial built in the 1950s, is in a ‘very poor state of repair’ and does not adequately reflect the legacy Fleming left to the world, East Ayrshire Council said.
Darvel Improvement Group (DIG), a community led voluntary organisation, has been working for ten years to create a new memorial worthy of Fleming’s discovery of the world’s first true antibiotic.
The group has already bid successfully for a £200,000 award from the UK Pride in Place Impact Fund. With the latest cost estimates sitting at between £300,000 and £350,000 the group has now set up a crowdfunding page and is also approaching a number of corporate and pharmaceutical companies for donations.
A new memorial wall will be constructed facing north towards his childhood home of Lochfield Farm. The existing bronze bust and pedestal will be refurbished and set at Fleming’s actual height – reflecting his humility as a common man, rather than an elevated individual. The Petri dish will display an interpretation of the famous penicillin mould, and interpretation boards will tell the story of his life and amazing accidental discovery of penicillin.
Lochfield Farm was built using local whinstone. As a further tribute to Fleming the seats on site will be built using the same materials.
Councillor Drew Filson, cabinet member for localities at East Ayrshire Council, said, “In East Ayrshire we are very proud to have educated two Nobel Prize winners – Sir Alexander Fleming and Lord John Boyd Orr at the former Kilmarnock Academy – a feat that’s unrivalled in Scotland.
“But for the people of Darvel itself the connection with Sir Alexander runs even deeper. Darvel already has the striking Fleming Mural created by well known artist Rogue One at The Corner on the site of the former Co-op building, and the new memorial will complete a very fitting tribute to the great man.
“Darvel’s community spirit has driven great changes already through its partnership working with the Council and other bodies to regenerate and boost the local environment and economy, and this is a great example of what can be achieved when people work together.
“Fleming is rightly celebrated throughout the world so it is apt that the pride felt in the community is reflected in a beautifully restored and enhanced memorial which is sure to strengthen the attraction of the town to visitors and locals alike.”
