A BLUE plaque has now been installed in honour of a Wilsden ‘old boy’ who became a leading international astronomer.

The plaque has been placed at Moss Row in the village, close to where Alfred Fowler was born.

Village councillor Jane Callaghan spearheaded the project on behalf of Wilsden Parish Council to provide a lasting tribute to the eminent, but virtually forgotten, figure.

"More people will now become aware of his incredible life and I am delighted he's being recognised," said Mrs Callaghan.

The plaque has been erected in time for the 150th anniversary of Mr Fowler's birth, on Thursday (Mar 22).

Crowdfunding to cover the cost of the scheme is continuing, and people can donate at crowdfunder.co.uk/blue-plaque-in-wilsden-to-remember-alfred-fowler.

A science fair and talk to honour Mr Fowler's memory are being held at Wilsden Trinity Church, Chapel Row, on Saturday, May 12.

The fair will run from 2pm to 4pm and will feature experiments and a range of family-orientated activities.

That evening, at 7pm in the same venue, there will be a free talk by Mrs Callaghan.

When he was just 14, Alfred won a scholarship to the Normal School of Science – later part of the Imperial College of Science and Technology – in London.

He remained there until retirement – first as a student, later as assistant to pioneer spectroscopist Sir Norman Lockyer, and ultimately as professor of astrophysics.

His work concentrated on Lockyer theories about the evolution of stars from nebulae, and he became a master of spectroscopy.

In 1923, he was appointed to the Royal Society under a new endowment from the Yarrow Foundation.

Mr Fowler's painstaking work on the identification and reproduction of celestial spectra and immense knowledge of the subject made him a world authority.

He received a string of honours, including the CBE in 1935 – five years before his death.