Surely there could be no doubt that Muzio Clementi would be pleased that so many people arrived at the Hedgehog (his former home) on 4th July 2018 to celebrate his life and work, and his association with Lichfield.

Dan Emery, the manager of the Hedgehog, and his team were hosting the evening celebrations with the help of the Civic Society. Guests were treated to a glass of fizz on arrival and at 7.00 pm the unveiling party and guests assembled to unveil the commemorative plaque.

The unveiling party included C'llr Peter Hitchman (the Deputy Mayor of Lichfield), Mrs Hitchman (the Deputy Mayoress), Dan Emery, Greg Yates (Area manager for Vintage Inns), John Thompson (Chairman of Lichfield Civic Society), Janette Horton (Civic Society member), Bengt Hultman (President of the Swedish Clementi Society) and Mrs Hultnam. Bengt Hultman had generously accepted our invitation to unveil the plaque and had arrived in Lichfield from Sweden the night before. As a prelude to the unveiling the City's Town Crier proclaimed the life and work of Muzio Clementi before introducing the Chairman of the Civic Society, who in turn introduced the other members of the unveiling party.

Following the introductions the Chairman invited Bengt Hultman to unveil the plaque. After declaring his admiration of Clementi and indicating the musical importance of Clementi he drew the concealing curtain to reveal the plaque to the crowd of guests, who greeted it with enthusiastic applause. The Chairman of the Civic Society then thanked the Hedgehog and its owners for their support and for financing the plaque as well as members of the Civic Society who had participated in the project.

The evening's program continued with live music played by Jo Cave, a violinist with the Lichfield Sinfonia and during the evening guests were served with a selection of tasters from the fare available at the Hedgehog. It was indeed a most enjoyable and successful celebration and commemoration of a notable musical figure and his stay in Lichfield. The City, of course, now has a new plaque providing further testimony to its rich heritage.

Frank Horsfall
July, 2018