Crowds of fans gathered at Bushey Meads School earlier this month as a blue plaque to honour music superstar and former pupil George Michael was unveiled.
The memorial came about thanks to the efforts of executive principal Jeremy Turner and Bushey Meads staff, the George Michael Appreciation Society, The Heritage Foundation and Terry Daniels, a superfan of the music legend.
George, who died on Christmas Day 2016, had links across the My Local News area, living in locations including Radlett and Stanmore.
George, who died on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53, was a sixth form student at Bushey Meads, Bushey, which was was where he met future Wham! bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley.
Terry led the project and said the day was extremely emotional. She approached Jeremy Turner with the idea of erecting a blue plaque to mark his student life, on the newly built music academy building. It’s thought around 500 people attended.
She said: “This was my idea, my creation and something I worked on for a year after George passed away. After he died, I found myself going on to Facebook and joining tribute groups, playing and his music.
“I was watching one documentary – A Different Story – when George and a companion were in a place he used to live. They stopped at a house, walked up the driveway and, as they walked away, George touched the shingle and said ‘I wonder if they will ever put a blue plaque up for me – that’s where the idea was created and born.”
“This is the first permanent tribute that George’s family are happy with. They approved the wording.”
The day began at 10.30am with tours of the new music building, for students, parents, fans and visitors, followed by speeches and the unveiling by Hertsmere Deputy Mayor Councillor Brenda Batten and one of the students.
A school concert by current and past music students performing mainly George Michael songs by both current and past music students of Bushey Meads School followed the day’s event at 6.30pm.
Mr Turner said: “As a school community, the staff of Bushey Meads School continues to pay tribute to one of their more famous ex-students and give thanks for the very good aspects of his life and work for the many honourable charities he supported.”
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