February 2018
6th February: Centenary of Women’s Right to Vote
Huddersfield Students’ Union are running a suffragette badge making stall from 2.30pm to 5pm outside the Students’ Union shop.
13th February: Suffragettes: Deeds not Words – Live screening
A British Library live screened talk, featuring Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, local historian Jill Liddington and Robert Wainwright. At Huddersfield Library. Free event.
15th February: Democracy in the Making: Vote 100
Join in these free creative activities at Huddersfield Open Market on Thursday 15th February with local artist Amy Hirst. You can also find out more about Vote 100 in Kirklees on the day. Free, drop-in event.
16th February: Notwestminster PechaKucha Night
Hear quick-fire talks from local democracy enthusiasts from Kirklees and around the country. Speakers will talk about all aspects of democracy, including the representation of women. Free event.
17th February: Notwestminster 2018
Notwestminster is an annual event in Huddersfield for anyone who wants to do something practical to improve our local democracy. Workshops and Lightning talks (including women in politics). Free event.
March 2018
17th March: Helen Pankhurst In Conversation – with Joanne Harris at Huddersfield Literature Festival
Award-winning author Joanne Harris interviews Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and a leading women’s rights campaigner in her own right. Tickets £3 to £5.
24th March: Vote 100 & International Women’s Day
Look out for lots of activities at Batley Older People’s Centre from 10am to 7pm to launch Vote 100 in Batley and Spen and to celebrate International Women’s Day. A project Co-ordinated by Batley Smile.
April 2018
Opening 28th April 2018: Our Fight for the Voting Right – exhibition
Visit this special exhibition at Tolson Museum to discover the stories of the suffragists and suffragettes of Kirklees who dared to challenge their traditional roles in society. Featuring the Florence Lockwood banner.
May 2018
26th May: Revolting Women – The fight for the vote
A Mikron Theatre show telling the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. Opening night at the LBT in Huddersfield.
26th May: Big Plant Swap: Growing democracy
Growing Newsome are encouraging local food growers to celebrate Vote 100 by bringing along white, purple or green plants to their annual plant swap. Participants can also collect special Vote 100 badges on the day. The event is from 10am to 1pm on 26th May at Newsome Scout Hall, Huddersfield.
June 2018
2nd June: Our Fight for the Voting Right – special event
A special event at Tolson Museum with talks from local author and historian Jill Liddington, and the curator of Tolson’s Vote 100 exhibition, Frances Stonehouse. Tickets £5 including refreshments.
3rd June: Revolting Women – The fight for the vote
A Mikron Theatre show telling the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. At Stirley Community Farm in Huddersfield.
30th June: EqualiTea – Tea and Tarts WI | Organise an EqualiTea
Join local councillors to discuss their role in promoting equality in society, find out about the Huddersfield suffragettes, talk about what equality means to you, and enjoy tea and cake. Organised by Tea and Tarts, the Huddersfield Central branch of the Women’s Institute. Free admission.
July 2018
8th July: Walking with Women’s Suffrage
In 1906, the nation’s eyes were trained on Huddersfield. Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst swept into town and addressed packed meetings. Join historian Jill Liddington to walk in the footsteps of local suffragettes.
Meet in St. George’s Square (at the Harold Wilson Statue) at 2.30pm.
The walk ends about 4pm with an indoor Q&A session and discussion.
September 2018
7th & 8th September: Huddersfield Town Hall Tours
Join us for an extensive and interesting tour and see parts of Huddersfield Town Hall not generally accessible to the public. The Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Gwen Lowe, will join the tours on Friday (at 1.30pm & 3pm) and provide refreshments. Saturday tours are at 10am & 11.30am.
Booking required – call 01484 223200 or email huddersfield.information@kirklees.gov.uk
8th September: Extraordinary Women of the Huddersfield Borough
We’re celebrating 150 years of Huddersfield Borough. This new display at Huddersfield Library highlights influential women from the fields of sport, the arts, politics, culture, science and philanthropy. Come along on the opening day to listen to talks from interesting local historians.
Booking required for the talks – call 01484 223200 or email huddersfield.information@kirklees.gov.uk
You can drop in to see the display during library opening hours.
8th September: Batley 150 at Batley Town Hall
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Batley Borough Council, and the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Votes for Women. Enjoy this day of activities in and around Batley Town Hall as part of Heritage Open Days.
Drop in for a cuppa and a chat with EqualiTeas, join a heritage walk, share memories and browse the displays.
15th September: Walking with Women’s Suffrage in the Colne Valley
Join suffrage historian Jill Liddington for a five mile walk in the footsteps of local suffragists and suffragettes. The linear route passes the homes and villages of several local campaigners including Helen Studdard, secretary of the Huddersfield NUWSS branch; Elizabeth Pinnance, imprisoned in 1907 for 14 days; and Florence Lockwood a Linthwaite mill owner’s wife and a member of the suffragist NUWSS who designed the Huddersfield branch banner.
Meet in St. George’s Square (at the Harold Wilson Statue) at 11.30am. Please bring a packed lunch. The walk ends in Slaithwaite around 3.30pm with a Q&A session at a cafe. Bookings information: info@discoverhuddersfield.com
22nd September: Revolting Women – The fight for the vote
A Mikron Theatre show telling the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. In the garden at Tolson Museum, Huddersfield (with indoor backup). Refreshments served. Bring your own chairs if you can.
October 2018
10th October: Revolting Women – The fight for the vote
A Mikron Theatre show telling the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. At Meltham Sports & Community Centre. Tickets £13 (£11 concessions).
13th October: Newsome 1918
Newsome Ward Community Forum are holding a day of special events to commemorate the end of World War I and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Votes for Women and the founding of the Women’s Institute. Lots of activities, displays and refreshments.
13th October: Suffragette
Enjoy a special free film showing at Newsome Scout Hall, Newsome Road South, Huddersfield HD4 6JJ as part of the Newsome 1918 activities. Starts at 6pm. Organised by Dolly Shot Pop Up Picturehouse & Newsome Ward Community Forum.
November 2018
18th November: Born a Rebel in Huddersfield
Join Cinema for All for an evening of female-led cabaret featuring films, discussion, music, spoken word and food to celebrate Vote 100 at the Magic Rock Tap in Huddersfield from 5pm to 11pm. Includes a special film charting the story of women in British public life over the last 100 years.
Vote 100 in Kirklees 