In 1913, the Cat and Mouse Act was passed by the British government. The law established what was to be, in effect, a revolving door policy: suffragettes who went on hunger strike in prison could be released temporarily for a few days to recover their health, after which they would be re-arrested to finish their … Read more
We’re clearly soldiers in petticoats And dauntless crusaders for woman’s votes Though we adore men individually We agree that as a group they’re rather stupid! In 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst, her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, and a small group of other supporters founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WPSU). The group adopted the slogan … Read more
In this post Abbie Evans interviews Kathy Atherton, a local historian and Exhibitions Team leader at Dorking Museum, and Royal Holloway PhD researcher, Katie Broomfield, about the Citizens project upcoming short film on the Pethick Lawrences and Women’s Suffrage. Abbie: Kathy, can you start by telling our readers about Dorking Museum? Kathy: Of course, Dorking … Read more
February 2018 marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, the Act which extended the franchise to (some) women for the first time. Commemorative plans for the centenary are well underway and there is no doubt that this momentous point in British history will get the attention it deserves. However, even at this … Read more
