Campaign launched to get Cluedo inventor honoured in Birmingham
Oct 16 2009 By Catherine Lillington
A campaign to get greater recognition for the Birmingham inventor of Cluedo has been launched in the city.
After fans of the board game found out Anthony Pratt, from Kings Heath, was the brains behind Miss Scarlett and Co, they began canvassing to get him a blue plaque and a place on Broad Street’s Walk of Stars.
The Birmingham Post reported on Mr Pratt’s little-known role in creating the 60-year-old game which went on to become a global hit after he signed over royalties from overseas sales for £5,000 in 1953.
When the former civil servant died without fame and fortune in 1994, he was buried in Bromsgrove Cemetery with the epitaph: “A Very Dear Father. Inventor of Cluedo. Sadly missed.”
Ben Whitehouse, writing on the website www.birminghamitsnotshit.co.uk said: “Following some discussion on Twitter it’s generally felt that Mr Pratt, who invented Cluedo, deserves recognition by the local Civic Society and the Broad Street walk of fame.
“I’d like to see Anthony Pratt get a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars on Broad Street (he’s created something that’s in the homes of millions of people, he’s given us hours of pleasure, so let’s give something back).
“So far the walk of fame has celebrated four football-related stars (either for teams or individuals), three musicians, two comedians and a radio soap opera, a sports commentator, a radio actor and Julie Walters. All deserving in their ways but I’d like your help to get a well deserving creative genius onto the Walk of Stars.”
Another fan has suggested erecting individual statues of the players holding one of the weapons, in a city centre square, which could be called “Cluedo Place”.
A blue plaque secretary at the Civic Society said Mr Pratt’s name was on a waiting list to commemorate the 110th anniversary of his birth in 2013. To back the Walk of Stars bid go online to www.walkofstars.net
