JOHN Shannon, the former chairman of York Civic Trust who for decades played a leading role in the conservation of York, has been commemorated with a plaque in his honour.

The plaque, at 18 Blake Street – where Dr Shannon studied for his Articles and later worked as a lawyer with Munby & Scott – was unveiled by present day Civic Trust chairman Peter Addyman.

Dr Shannon, a former Sheriff of York, served as chairman of the Civic Trust from 1963 until his retirement in 2001. He also served as chairman of the York Conservation Area advisory panel, and as a member of the National Trust regional committee, among other roles.

He once said that among his most proud achievements were the restoration of Fairfax House in 1984, and the closure of Deangate to vehicles in 1989.

He was once remembered by Dr David Hope, the former Archbishop of York, as a man to whom “this city of York owes so much”. “I know that I am richer for having known him, as I know many others will be,” Dr Hope said. “Not simply for his encyclopaedic knowledge, but also for his sensitivity of judgement, the ready gift of friendship and, not least, that twinkle in the eye when he knew he was about to say something controversial.”