‘David Attenborough on a tenner’: Guardian readers’ ideas for new banknotes

Banknotes issued by the Bank of England are to have a major redesign for the first time in more than 50 years. Historic figures such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen feature on the current notes, but the central bank is proposing that the next series could move on to new themes. With this in mind, we asked people for their suggestions.

Celebrating the work of David Attenborough – ‘a fitting homage’ on a tenner? Photograph: Marinepics Ltd/Shutterstock

‘David Attenborough on a tenner’

The environmental education David Attenborough has brought to the world for many years should be celebrated. He doesn’t shy away from showing the world the harsh reality of nature, and not just the cute stuff. His picture on a tenner would be a fitting homage. Donna, Oxfordshire

‘Oak, beech, elm and ash trees’

I’d choose pictures of oak, beech, elm and ash trees. These trees combine British iconicness with a reminder of the danger facing the environment. Alternatively, we could celebrate the NHS with a picture of a scanner, scalpel, stethoscope and a pair of crutches. We criticise the NHS, but we need a continuous reminder of what it does for us. Patricia Harris, Milton Keynes

Mary Seacole (1805-1881) ‘made important contributions to our sociey’. Photograph: IanDagnall Computing/Alamy

‘Mary Seacole would be my choice’

We’ve had people like Florence Nightingale on our banknotes before, but Britain is a diverse society and there have been so many contributions to our wellbeing, our health and our wealth from immigrants who you rarely see on our currencies. So the nurse Mary Seacole, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, would be my choice. I think most people would agree she made important contributions to our society. Mamta Arnott, Brecon, Wales

‘Terry Pratchett, who brought so much joy to people’

Let’s not restrict notes to pictures from the long-ago past. Let’s have people like Terry Pratchett, who brought so much joy to people with his Discworld series. I think he deserves to be memorialised on the bank note. We could also celebrate British achievements, such as the Raspberry Pi series of small computers designed for learning, experimentation and control systems. They’re great examples of British success in technology and engineering. Antony Shepherd, London

Terry Pratchett ‘deserves to be memorialised’. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian

‘Alec Guinness, in costume as George Smiley’

My choice would be Alec Guinness, in costume as the spy George Smiley with his big glasses. Star Wars passed me by, but the TV version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was the best thing I’ve ever seen on television. Generally speaking, Alec Guinness is a national treasure, as everybody who has seen him act would agree. Failing that, my favourite authors John le Carré or Len Deighton. Michael Jones, Buckinghamshire

Should there be ‘more emphasis on the regions of England and key landmarks’ – such as Clifton Suspension Bridge? Photograph: Adrian Sherratt/The Guardian

‘Landmarks like Clifton Suspension Bridge’

I’d like less focus on historical figures and more emphasis on the regions of England and key landmarks. For the £5 note, Skiddaw in Cumberland. For the £10 note, Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. It was designed by Brunel, and perhaps it could encourage tourism to this somewhat overlooked region. I’d have the Houses of Parliament on the £20 note, since they’re world famous, and putting them on what is probably the most used note would be appropriate. And for the £50 note, Salisbury Cathedral, which has England’s – and indeed the UK’s – tallest spire of 123 metres. Ian Cox, Edinburgh

‘Ada Lovelace, or Babbage’s difference engine’

I’d choose Charles Babbage’s difference engine, or Ada Lovelace, who wrote the first program for it at the birth of the digital age. When they built this mechanical calculator, it was a brand new idea. They preceded Alan Turing in the history of computing – but he’s on the £50 note already. David Hoare, Nottingham

A model of the difference engine – ‘a brand new idea’ in the 1840s. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Observer

‘Modern icons Bill Shankly and Glenda Jackson’

Let’s move toward modern icons like Bill Shankly. I think he was more than just a football manager or football player. He was an understanding, reasonable person who was a unifier of people. And Glenda Jackson; I’ve always admired her, as an actor and politician. Among all these actors and celebrities we talk about, she rarely gets a mention. She’s from where I grew up, so that’s probably another reason I mention her, but she was probably one of this country’s greatest actors ever. Lee Mault, Merseyside

‘The suffragettes, with their flag’

I think the suffragettes, with their flag, would look particularly nice on a £20 note with the tiniest splash of green, to match the flag’s colours. I don’t think we hear enough about the suffragettes. We mustn’t forget these people who did so much to make things the way they are now. I’d also like to see the famous “Lest we forget” silhouette of a world war one soldier. I find it quite poignant when I see it at memorials, and it would be great to have it on every note. Jacqueline, London