A visit to the birthplace of the Suffragette Movement

Our Sixth Form students recently set out on a History study trip to Manchester, where they visited the Pankhurst Centre, birthplace of the Suffragette Movement.

The Pankhurst Centre is based in 62 Nelson Street, Manchester, the site where Emmeline Pankurst and a number of her supporters originally formed the ‘Women’s Social and Political Union’ (WSPU) in 1903. It was here where it was agreed that membership to the WSPU would be exclusive to women and that the union would be completly separate from political party affiliation.

During their visit to Manchester, the students were given the opportunity to tour the 62 Nelson Street House whilst also visiting the Free Trade Hall, the site where Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney notoriously disrupted speeches by Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Grey in 1905. This event achieved widespread publicity with Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney subsequently imprisoned following their disturbance at the Liberal party meeting. This gained the ‘Women’s Social and Political Union’ campaign widespread press coverage and heightened support for the movement, which was ultimately successful in securing the right for women to vote on equal grounds to men in 1928.

In addition to touring the fascinating buildings, there were also numerous hands on exhibits available which allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding into this pivotal historical event.