At the March meeting of the Edwinstowe Historical Society, Chair Shirley welcomed Dr Rowena Edlin-White to talk on Women‘s Suffrage in Nottinghamshire.
While the suffragists, National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) led by Millicent Fawcett, used peaceful methods such as lobbying in their campaign for the right of women to vote, the suffragettes – Emmeline Pankhurst and others – decided more direct action was required. They founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) with the motto ‘Deeds not words’. Sometimes this led to unlawful and violent acts which attracted much publicity.
Rowena had stories to tell about some of the Nottinghamshire women who had taken part in the campaign and the problems they experienced along the way. They were subjected to imprisonment, hard labour and force-feeding.
It was not until the Equal Franchise Act of 1928 that women over 21 were able to vote and women finally achieved the same voting rights as men.
Enquiries have been received by the Society in connection with: an Italian prisoner of war at Rufford Abbey; location of family graves and gravestones in St Mary’s Church Yard; Kelmscott Manor relating to a William Morris fire screen; a church memorial; the meaning of a cradle roll certificate; and from the BBC Countryfile team in connection with a forthcoming programme. All have been answered.
The Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 17th May and, as agreed previously with members, this will be combined with a ‘Fuddle’ in place of the usual annual lunch. After the business of the meeting there will be a short, illustrated talk.
Meetings are held in the Church Rooms, Mansfield Road, Edwinstowe NG21 9NJ on the third Wednesday of the month at 2.00pm, lasting approximately two hours. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available. The annual subscription is £12.00, and visitors are welcome at a charge of £3.00.
Additional information is available at www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk and enquiries may be made to EdwinstoweHistorySoc@gmail.com.