Hastings Station, Activists often travelled to London. June1908: suffragists, including Jane Strickland, joined some 10,000 women on a huge NUWSSorganised demonstration in London. Days later a contingent of St Leonards and Hastings suffragettes took part in a mammoth WSPU march, culminating in Hyde Park.
A
1910: Isabella Darent Harrison (Women’s Suffrage Propaganda League) and WSPU co-founder Mary Clarke in women’s suffrage procession through Hastings. rom small beginnings in the 1870s to the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, Hastings women, like women elsewhere, campaigned for the right to vote. It was a long, hard campaign. A lot of action took place in and around the Trinity Triangle, which housed the headquarters of the militant WSPU, the suffragettes. Their offices are long gone but thanks to Historic England’s regeneration programme, you can use this map to follow their footsteps. get the vote by any means Hastings resident Barbara possible even if that meant Bodichon played a key role in breaking the law. Both groups sparking off the nationwide opened local offices, marched, campaign. She drew up a and invited well-known petition demanding votes for activists, such as Emmeline women, which was presented Pankhurst to speak at packed to the House of Commons public venues. in 1867. It failed but by the Local campaigners, such 1880s Hastings women were as suffragist Jane Strickland raising their voices, meeting organised meetings and in their homes and setting wrote constantly to the local up suffrage groups. As time press. Others such as Isabella passed, hundreds of local Darent Harrison defied the women became involved. law, refusing to pay their taxes. Most were suffragists, who campaigned using law-abiding All contributed to a glorious victory in 1918 when some methods only. Others were women finally gained the vote. suffragettes, determined to
F
Part of a heritage high street regeneration programme funded by Historic England. Enabling neglected historic areas to be brought back to life.
1 Havelock Road, site of Green’s Hotel. May 1913: furious anti-suffragists smash windows, believing suffragists were taking shelter there.
32 Havelock Road, in January 1884 a newlyformed suffrage committee meets for the first time.
7 Havelock Road, site of the Suffrage Club, where non-militant suffragists met regularly. May 1913: anti-suffrage rioters besieged the club.
Route of Women’s Suffrage March 1910 31 White Rock, 1908: local suffragists open an office.
7 Regency Mansions, Verulam Place, home of Jane Strickland, well-known local suffragist and member of the Women’s Liberal Association.
Trinity Triangle area See detailed map overleaf for suffragette and suffragist activity in this area.
Trinity Tria Hastings in ty vi ti c a e g ra ff women’s su
9 Pelham Crescent, home of Barbara Bodichon (1827-91), artist, activist and key figure in the development of the women’s movement. Framed petition calling for the women’s vote, 1867. Beach: site of many open-air suffrage meetings.
Postcard found at Levetleigh
Flames and riots
Militancy increased as the government frustrated women’s attempts to win the vote. In 1913 the WSPU launched an arson campaign, which included torching Tory MP Arthur du Cros’ house, ‘Levetleigh’, in Dane Road, St Leonards. For more information, Local suffragettes were not responsible see Turbulent Spinsters: Women’s Fight for the Vote but in May groups of anti-suffragists in Hastings & St Leonards, stormed through Hastings venting their anger on local suffragists and Ann Kramer (Circaidy suffragettes. Gregory Press, 2018). Leaflet published in 2021 Words: Ann Kramer Design: Erica Smith Cover drawing: Emily Johns
Baptist School Room, Wellington Square. Women’s Liberal Association passes resolution demanding votes for women.
, S G N I T E E M MARCHES M! IVISf & ACngT le : the heart o
B November 1912: Local suffragettes parade on seafront with posters advertising public meeting with guest speaker Emmeline Pankhurst.
www.trinitytrianglehastings.org.uk