A memorial tablet discovered during building renovation work at the John Peel Theatre in Wigton has unearthed a unique chapter of local history, with plans in motion to reintroduce it back to the public. 

The tablet, discovered back in 2015, is dedicated to a man named W.J. Carrick, and thanks to the efforts of the theatre and Wigtonians helping on the Old Wigton Facebook page, it has been possible to piece together its origin. 

Local historical records and newspaper archives, such as The Wigton Advertiser in 1888, revealed Mr Carrick’s substantial contributions to Wigton as a solicitor and the creation of the former Salvation Army barracks which have now become the theatre. 

News and Star: The memorial stone before cleaning, as found in the theatre's loft in 2014The memorial stone before cleaning, as found in the theatre's loft in 2014 (Image: John Peel Theatre)

"Ever since I've found out about him, I've referred to him as Willie Carrick, I hope he forgives the familiarity but we do think of him as a friend and that we do know him," said the chairperson of the theatre, Connie Jenson. 

"We know he was a solicitor in his father's practice, a lot of the time he did pro-bono work for poor people in the area.

"A lot of people who had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly, he had sympathy with poor people - it was a nice thing to learn. 

"We also discovered in his spare time, that he was a great entertainer.

"He loved music and song,  he would go around village halls putting on impersonations, and whatever he did he loved entertaining and gave money to the poor and needy in the area. 

"I look at what we've done with the building and I think Willie would approve of what we're doing now.

"We're very much a community theatre, whilst we charge for our shows, we often give some away and ensure they are as cheap as they can be to make it more open to all," she said. 

Connie intends for the tablet to be formally reintroduced to the community at a fundraising concert, The Magic of Music, on April 19.

News and Star: Theatre once served as a barracks for the Salvation Army corps in Wigton. Theatre once served as a barracks for the Salvation Army corps in Wigton. (Image: NQ)

This event also serves to celebrate the upcoming 60th anniversary of the building's conversion into a theatre.

"It'll be a celebration of the community spirit of the magic of music, the celebration of the 60 years of the actual theatre and the celebration of Willie Carrick's life who was instrumental in getting the building built in the first place," Connie said. 

The plaque, which is set to be revealed by members of the Salvation Army during the concert, will be placed in what is believed to be the exact spot it once stood.