It is 100 years since the launch of the Women’s Social and Political Union — the Suffragettes. GLYNN GARLICK reports on celebration plans ...



AN exhibition and programme of events are to be held to mark the centenary of Britain’s suffragette movement.

And a new booklet, Votes For Women, has also been published as part of the celebrations.

The events and booklet are the work of the Beckenham Suffragette Centenary Group.

A spokesman said: “The first public meeting promoting women’s suffrage in this area took place in 1882 in the Christ Church Lecture Hall, Beckenham.

“This same venue will stage the centenary celebrations with the active support of The Rev Nick Wynne-Jones, who will be conducting an evening service in the church.” The booklet gives a summary of suffragist and suffragette activity in Beckenham, Bromley and Crystal Palace between 1882 and 1912.

Suffragists urged the extension of the right to vote by constitutional means while suffragettes demanded votes for women and were willing to use violent methods.

Early suffragist supporters enjoyed drawing-room meetings at homes such as that of Kate Harvey in Shortlands.

Mrs Harvey was probably the longest-serving suffragist in the area.

She did not go as far as joining the Pankhursts’ militant Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), but set up a branch of the more moderate Women’s Freedom League instead.

However, this did not prevent her from serving two prison sentences in her battle for the cause.

The first public meeting of the Bromley, Beckenham and Shortlands suffrage group was held on May 16, 1882.

And not all those supporting the suffragist cause were women.

At least 11 clergymen from the area attended suffrage meetings in Bromley.

In 1907 the Beckenham branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies was formed and grew to be one of the biggest in Britain.

Its president, Alice Abadam, was a feminist lecturer who had previously been a member of the militant WSPU led by Emmeline Pankhurst.

The WSPU — better known as the Suffragette Movement — was founded on October 10, 1903, and had a policy of Deeds, Not Words.

The programme of events commemorating this will be held at Christ Church Lecture Hall, Fairfield Road, Beckenham, from 2pm to 7.30pm on October 11.

The event will be opened by Margaret Prosser OBE, who is chairman of the Women’s National Commission (WNC).

The WNC puts the views of women’s organisations to the Government.

As part of the celebrations the life of Alice Abadam will be recalled by her great niece, Elaine Barry.

Suffragette historian Myrna Goode will give an illustrated talk on the subject followed by a question and answer session.

Visitors can view an exhibition in the hall and are being asked to wear something reminiscent of 1903.

The Christ Church Singers will perform suffragette songs. The church service starts at 6.30pm.

Admission to the day’s events is £1, while the booklet costs £2.95.

Proceeds from these will be donated to Chaste — Churches Alert to Sexual Trafficking in Europe.

For further information, call John Hatfield on 020 8249 0870.