The important role of a farmhouse in shaping the history of Gorleston has been recognised with a blue plaque.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The blue plaque unveiled at Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre.The blue plaque unveiled at Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre. (Image: Archant)

Shrublands farmhouse was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Great Yarmouth borough following the devastations of the second world war, with its youth centre playing a critical role in the lives of many.

Now, a blue plaque has been unveiled outside of the building, now known as the Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre, saluting the success of the project.

It was unveiled following a speech from guest of honour Julian Macey who dedicated 31 years of his life as resident warden at the centre.

The now 96-year-old, who served at the centre from 1949 until 1980, is widely-credited with pioneering the centre’s success.

Mr Macey said: “This was a proud moment for me. It is staggering to think that some of the people who came to the unveiling were here with me when the centre opened in 1949.

“I made thousands of memories in my 30 years here and some of the friendships that people made on their way through these doors are still going today.”

The plaque move was pushed for by the Gorleston-on-Sea Heritage Group (GOSH) and was funded by Gorleston St Andrews ward councillors,

Barbara Wright and Marlene Fairhead.

Les Cockrill, GOSH chairman, said: “The centre is, and has always been, so tremendously important to the area.

“It has placed such a big role in the history of our area.

“So many of its kind have closed down, but it has remained significant ever since it opened, which is great for Gorleston.”