Tag: history

Nancy Astor

(1879-1964)

Plymouth Hoe

In 1918 some women over the age of 30 got the vote and in that same year a separate law was passed – the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act – which allowed women to stand as candidates and be elected as MPs.  The following year the first woman MP took her seat in the House of Commons.  That was Nancy Astor.  Although…..

The first woman to actually be elected to the Commons was Constance Markievicz, in the general election of 1918. However, as a member of Sinn Fein, she did not take her seat.  This sends me down a rabbit hole of internet information; it’s fascinating, taking in the Easter Uprising and the independence of Ireland.  But I’m digressing.  Let’s get back to Nancy.

Winning 51% of the Plymouth Sutton by-election vote, Nancy Astor was elected as the Conservative MP after her husband, former MP Waldorf Astor, was elevated to the peerage.  One small step for feminism, one giant leap for nepotism?????

Still, she held the seat until she stood down in 1945, holding it for an impressive 25 years.  Although she had never been involved in campaigns for women’s suffrage, she was a great supporter of the women’s movement once in Parliament, with Waldorf Astor working to promote the admission of women to the House of Lords during the 1920s.  She is described as an advocate for temperance, welfare and education, but Nancy was not without controversy.  It is documented that she held anti-Catholic, and anti-semitic views and was a Nazi sympathiser which, it is suggested, led to her being asked to step down towards the end of the war.

On the centenary of her election, this statue was unveiled after a Crowdfunder campaign raised more than £140,000 in just over one year; an extraordinary achievement.  Even more gobsmacking was the bipartisan approach, with women MP’s across the political parties showing support.  The statue forms part of Plymouth’s Powerful Women trail.  Also, note Nancy’s fancy signature on the plinth.  Truly sublime.

Licoricia

( ? – 1277)

The Arc, Jewry Street, Winchester

Staying in Winchester, on Jewry street stands the wonderful statue of Licoricia and her youngest son Asher at 5 years old.  I start taking the obligatory photos to record my visit and overhear an enthusiastic volunteer taking new students on a tour of the city, glancing at the statue before steering them elsewhere.

I flinch at the vagueness of it as they walk away, but in all honesty I too know nothing about her.  I’ve fitted the visit in on my travels and have done no research.  I figured when time is tight I can just find the position, take a few selfies and study later.  This has its advantages when you have constraints but I’m missing important snippets of information, and wonder if I would appreciate the statue and the journey more. 

Fortunately, The Arc (formerly the Winchester Discovery Centre) has a leaflet.  A highly successful and intelligent Jewish businesswoman, she was tragically murdered in 1277, the details of which are unknown.  The leaflet goes on to give details of the Jewish community in 13th century Winchester and about the sculpture itself – the artist also created the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on coins since 1998.

The tragic end of her life gives real poignancy to her being depicted with her young child, who presumably was forced out of England with the rest of the Jewish community in 1290.  It feels like there is much more to learn and to understand.

https://licoricia.org/

Charlotte Mary Yonge

(1823-1901)

Eastleigh Train Station

Another weekend, another visit.  This time to Hampshire where I can visit friends as well as family.  I’m packing a lot in this summer.  While work occupies me during the week, my boys are away so filling my weekends up with my statue pursuits is a much needed distraction.

On the road back to Leeds I can take in three women.  There’s an ongoing rail dispute which isn’t to be resolved until much later.  Ironically, the first visit is to Charlotte Mary Yonge who was an important benefactor to the immigrant workers and their families that arrived in Eastleigh to toil in the railway industry.   It doesn’t seem much to ask that people are paid fairly and kept safe while doing their jobs.  To think the struggle has continued through generations is disheartening to say the least. 

On this occasion, having a car and being able to do a quick pit stop between the models has proved useful.  Due to said strike, I can rock up at Eastleigh train station and there is room in the car park.  At the station a few people walk into the forecourt and walk out again looking dazed and confused, somehow missing the strike information.  This means I have the statue to myself.

Situated outside the station, taking a seat on a bench with room for company, sits local author and teacher Yonge who gave Eastleigh its name.  I love the invitation to sit awhile with a local public figure.  Statues all too often feel unrelatable and intangible.  Having a bench is an opportunity to look up close at artwork and almost be at one with it.  It is a style that has really taken off, if statues have a fashion….