Aston and District W.I.Report

Aston & District W.I. February 2019 Report

Aston and District WI met on Friday 1st February 2019. Our first meeting of the year began with a warm welcome to members and visitors from our president Jen Bourne. As our speaker for the afternoon was Barbara Andrews, presenting her talk entitled "My Grandma was a Suffragette," members responded to the occasion by dressing in anything purple, green and white.

She took us back to the years between 1906 and 1909 and sketched in the background to the campaign for women's rights which was at the forefront of the news at the time. She recalled that her Grandma, Thirza Cove was taking a very active part in the proceedings, with meetings being held in many public places attracting hundreds of thousands of people.
Suffrage was international and for the latter half of the 19th C, it made very little progress. Emmeline Pankhurst decided to start a group called The Women's Social and Political Union, later dubbed Suffragettes and Thirza soon became a willing recruit.

Many Suffragettes were imprisoned as was Thirza Cove. We were shown actual sketches she had drawn of her cell. She was released from prison in the early morning and met by family members. In 1928, the Representation of the People Act (1928) extended the vote to all women over 21 years of age. Thirza lived to the grand age of 88 years and died in 1969, so she enjoyed many years after the successful conclusion of the cause for which she fought.

Barbara being the only female grandchild inherited a box of memorabilia and has been using it ever since by giving interviews and talks, and several items were passed around for all to see. She feels that her Grandma would be proud to think that she was still making a difference in today's world. Barbara finished her talk with a slide show followed by rapturous applause.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Christine Grove. After tea and cake the raffle took place followed by the business of the day.The competition, which was a photograph of a "Grandma "was won by Glenys Inight.

The Lunch Club will meet on Tuesday 5th February at the Farmers Arms at 12.00 noon for 12.30pm.
Our Walkers are meeting on Wednesday 6th February at Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch at 10.15am for 10.30am, followed by lunch at the Black Bear.
Our next meeting will take place on Friday 8th March at 2.00pm in the afternoon when our speaker will be James Hughes 'Estate Planning' 'Will Consult You'
New Members and Visitors are always welcome. Details can be found on our website – www.astonanddistrictwi.org.uk

Glenys Inight
Diane Joslyn

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