Thus wrote Sir Macca in his seminal 70s Wings ditty about the women's suffrage movement, proof if ever it was needed that Mark Chapman got the wrong guy. Still, I digress.
I've been lucky enough to get the Eastcliff mits on a much more rigorous work on the subject recently penned by Ramsgate author Laura Probert. Entitled Women of Kent Rally to the Cause, it's a study of women's suffrage in East Kent between 1909 and 1918. Contrary to popular belief, the suffrage movement was extremely active in this part of the world, and the book gives an invaluable insight, using extensive photographs and press cuttings from the period. Along the way we get to soak up the atmosphere of early 20th Century Thanet.
One of the most shocking aspects to emerge from the book is the way these votes-for-women types were treated by the male populace, and the arguments used against giving them the franchise, such as it might 'damage their nervous dispositions' or even be a danger to national security! My how times have, thankfully, changed!
• Copies of Laura's book can be obtained for £9, including postage and packing, from Millicent Press, PO Box 441, Ramsgate, CT11 7WU.
6 comments:
Richard you can also wander up King Street and buy it straight off the shelves in the bookshop for £8.99
A penny saved is a penny earnt!
I loved this book; the insight into life just before the first world war, the opinions of Mr Thornton Bobby (and his cello playing), the by-law about chalking the promenades and of course the women behaving badly! Thanks, Laura!
Some people just can't suffer-a-jet.
Maybe the book will help?
All terribly interesting but as me old mate's Pa used to say, "Nice girls are for marrying, slags is what you want". He wasn't quite so enlightened but 6 month stretches at sea with the Merchant Fleet put pay to that.
Sorry, have I missed something?
Women can vote now? splendid, jolly good show!
Mind you lets not go too far, dont want to be giving the vote to the commoners.
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