With the local elections due in the next week, I thought you might like to be reminded of a time when women risked everything for the right to vote. I suppose I have to ask...was it worth it girls?
The picture is taken from the stage door in Princes Street, looking down towards Addington Street and is interesting for showing not only a gas mantle and a Theatre Royal sign/light but also the fly tower escape ladder, none of which are in existence now. Click on the picture for a better view.
This version of the picture is taken from an issue of Bygone Kent lent to me by the old theatre retainer Brian Wallis who deserves, and will get, an entry all to himself. Bygone Kent is now run by local writer Nick Evans and deserves your support as an archive of days past, it's available from all good newsagents.
ADDENDUM
From information I've now found from the East Kent Times of July 6th 1910 where this picture originally appeared, it was Miss Christabel Pankhurst who spoke at the meeting which took place on Saturday 2nd July 1910. She had spoken on Friday 1st July at Ramsgate's Royal Pavilion and the previous day at Herne Bay. Christabel is central in the picture holding the large bouquet of flowers. The photographer was Mr G Houghton of Margate.
FURTHER ADDENDUM
I've now found proof that earlier that same year Christabel's mother Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst had made the trip to Ramsgate and Margate, the EKT of 21st April reports...
On 22nd April 1910 Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst spoke at Theatre Royal Margate. At the commencement of the proceedings there was some slight interruptions by young men, who finding that no fun was to be had out of the meeting, withdrew in a body, followed by seething remarks hurled at them by the speaker. Mrs Pankhurst claimed that women who paid rates, taxes and rent, or held a university degree should have a vote on equal terms with men. (According to statistics quoted in a letter to the paper of 26th March 1910 that would mean that about a million and a quarter women will then possess the vote in addition to the seven and a half million men) She urged the women of Thanet to support the women's franchise, and added that although the militant party to which she belonged had stayed their hand for the present there would be more drastic measures taken to keep their cause before the public unless their reasonable demands were conceded.
The picture is taken from the stage door in Princes Street, looking down towards Addington Street and is interesting for showing not only a gas mantle and a Theatre Royal sign/light but also the fly tower escape ladder, none of which are in existence now. Click on the picture for a better view.
This version of the picture is taken from an issue of Bygone Kent lent to me by the old theatre retainer Brian Wallis who deserves, and will get, an entry all to himself. Bygone Kent is now run by local writer Nick Evans and deserves your support as an archive of days past, it's available from all good newsagents.
ADDENDUM
From information I've now found from the East Kent Times of July 6th 1910 where this picture originally appeared, it was Miss Christabel Pankhurst who spoke at the meeting which took place on Saturday 2nd July 1910. She had spoken on Friday 1st July at Ramsgate's Royal Pavilion and the previous day at Herne Bay. Christabel is central in the picture holding the large bouquet of flowers. The photographer was Mr G Houghton of Margate.
FURTHER ADDENDUM
I've now found proof that earlier that same year Christabel's mother Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst had made the trip to Ramsgate and Margate, the EKT of 21st April reports...
On 22nd April 1910 Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst spoke at Theatre Royal Margate. At the commencement of the proceedings there was some slight interruptions by young men, who finding that no fun was to be had out of the meeting, withdrew in a body, followed by seething remarks hurled at them by the speaker. Mrs Pankhurst claimed that women who paid rates, taxes and rent, or held a university degree should have a vote on equal terms with men. (According to statistics quoted in a letter to the paper of 26th March 1910 that would mean that about a million and a quarter women will then possess the vote in addition to the seven and a half million men) She urged the women of Thanet to support the women's franchise, and added that although the militant party to which she belonged had stayed their hand for the present there would be more drastic measures taken to keep their cause before the public unless their reasonable demands were conceded.
2 comments - click to add yours.:
brian would have been proud to see his name in print,keep up the good work,the wallis family
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I've been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian, iwspo.net
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