Leicestershire County Council Green Plaque Awards

Frances Elizabeth (Fanny)Deacon nee Potter

17th September 1837- 15th January 1930

Fleckney Parish Council has nominated Fanny Deacon nee Potter for a Green Plaque Award for 1 Wolsey Lane and she has been short listed as one of the final twelve in the Public Vote. The six nominees who receive the most votes will be awarded a Green Plaque.

Fanny Potter aged 37 was the first woman in England to pass the qualifying examination to become a Pharmacist when the Pharmacist Act 1868 made registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain compulsory in order to work as a Pharmacist.

She was the second wife of Abraham Deacon the founder of the Carmel Chapel and worked at 1 Wolsey Lane as a Chemist until her death in 1930.

The public vote is open from Monday 13th September until Sunday 24th October.

Voting is either on line: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/greenplaques

Or postal vote forms are available from Fleckney Library, the Sports Centre on Leicester Road or Fleckney Pharmacy.

Vote for Fanny

Fanny Deacon

Born in Kibworth Beauchamp Fanny Deacon worked as her father’s assistant who was also a Chemist. In 1868 the Pharmaceutical Act made registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (PSGB) compulsory. Fanny applied to take the modified exam signing her application F E Potter and although the hierarchy of the PSGB were surprised when a lady attended the examination she was allowed to take it as she complied with all the rules and regulations. Although she passed the exam and was registered as a Pharmacist she was not allowed to become a member of the society until 1879 when membership was opened to women.

Fanny married Abraham Deacon in 1875 and moved to Fleckney and worked from 1 Wosley Lane (then known as Factory Lane) as a Chemist and Druggist along side Abraham who was registered as a Draper and Sub Post Master. He was also the leader of the Carmel Chapel Strict Baptist church. They had one son Augustine (Gus) who became a watchmaker.

After Abraham’s death in 1911 Fanny continued to run the Chemist in Wolsey Lane and remained on the Pharmaceutical Society Register until her death in January1930 when she accidently fell down the stairs of Clematis Cottage aged 92. She was reported to be the oldest chemist in England.

Her grave is next to Abraham’s in Fleckney Churchyard.

There is a small display about Fanny Deacon in Fleckney Library.