London History Day

AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF LONDON'S HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Strandlines is delighted to be participating in London History Day 2018, an annual celebration of the capital's extraordinary history and heritage run by Historic England each year on 31 May—the day Big Ben first started keeping time.

A timeline of women's suffrage

There are two centenaries especially relevant to Strandlines:

The Representation of the People Act 1918, which allowed some women to vote: Around the Strand there were several centres of the suffrage movement, and suffragettes marched down the Strand, like other big streets. Some smashed windows; some retailers responded with special offers on hats! Vera Wentworth, pictured, was a militant member of the Women's Social and Political Union. In 1908 she was arrested twice, imprisoned and force fed. She wrote an account of her experiences, 'Three Months in Holloway'.

The foundation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, which included a female branch, the Women's Royal Air Force. By November 1918 the RAF's strength was nearly 300,000 airmen and more than 22,000 aircraft.

In association with the Centre for Life-Writing Research and the Archives of King's College London, we are presenting an afternoon of discoveries.

All are welcome: events are free but registration is required.

Programme

2-3pm

Treasures from the King's Archives

Introduced by Geoff Browell of King's College London Archives. Registration required.

3-4pm

Short talks from the King's Archive

Short talks on subjects including women’s suffrage in & around the Strand; Edith Morley; Virginia Stephen and the People’s Suffrage Federation;  Constance Maud’s No Surrender (1911; reprinted by Persephone Press in 2011). With Geoff Browell, Professor Clare Brant, Dr Jane Wildgoose, Dr Clara Jones (King's College London); Dr Debbie Challis (LSE Library). Registration required.

Please register on Eventbrite for both / either event
4-5pm

A walk down the Strand

A walk down the Strand focusing on places on the Strand which were significant from women’s suffrage history. With Elizabeth Crawford [womanandhersphere.com]

Please meet just off the Strand under the arches at Somerset House at 4 pm. Then, we will:

  • From Courtauld/Somerset House walk west along the Strand
  • Down Savoy Hill to the Savoy Chapel where the Rev Hugh Chapman, a v ardent suffragist was the chaplain – and where he married a notable suffragette couple
  • Walk along Embankment Gardens and view the memorial erected by the women of Britain to Henry Fawcett (husband of Millicent Garrett Fawcett). The bust of Fawcett is the work of a woman sculptor, Mary Grant.
  • Then walk a short distance to Buckingham Street. Number 18 housed the first office of the WFL. At number 13 was the office of the Men’s Political Union for Women’s Enfranchisement). Further details
  • Walk through the Adelphi quarter to No 2 Robert Street - the offices of the Actresses’ Franchise League. The building also was for about nine years, until 1917, the second home of the Women’s Freedom League. View newsreel of the 1911 Coronation Procession
  • Corner site – Robert St - where a member of the WFL, Helen Fox, chained herself to railings
  • International Suffrage Shop – 15 Adam Street
  • Back up to Strand – cross over road – pass Strand Palace Hotel – was Exeter Hall – Mud March
  • Look up Catherine Street – Gardenia Restaurant (may be still under plastic)
  • Continue along Aldwych – cross over Kingsway – pass site of Aldwych Skating Rink (census)
  • Up St Clement’s Passage – to site of WSPU offices

Please register on Eventbrite