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Blue plaque unveiled in honour of campaigning disabled journalist

Doris PageA blue plaque has been unveiled in honour of a disabled journalist and campaigner.

The plaque dedicated to Doris Page has been installed by Newbury Town Council at her former home at 39 Essex Street, Newbury.

Doris, pictured, was confined to an iron lung for life after contracting polio in 1955.

She went on to campaign for disabled people to lead a viable home life, writing for both local and national newspapers, until her death in 1991.

Doris also wrote a column in the Reading Evening Post, as well as some books using the pseudonym Ann Armstrong.

In 1968, she was awarded the MBE for her campaigning work.

Councillor Nigel Foot, vice-chair of the council’s heritage working group, said: “The present residents of 39 Essex Street, Alison and Mike Joliffe, have very kindly agreed for the blue plaque to be attached to their home, where it will be easily legible from the street.

“The Town Council is very grateful to Mr and Mrs Joliffe, to the Newbury Society for generously contributing £100 to the cost of the plaque, and to Dave Stubbs for advising us on Doris’s life and achievements.”