A Report on our meeting held on 16th March 2026

Our Prior Michelle Stephens spoke about the women’s suffrage movement and the activities in Bridlington in support of it.

Michelle first reviewed the history of the women’s suffrage movement from Mary Wollstonecraft’s  1792 “A vindication of the rights of women”, through the stuttering efforts in local government and then in parliament, to the final victory of in 1928 when women finally achieve in law equal voting rights to men.

In 1908, using a caravan with a speaker’s platform, the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies founded by Millicent Fawcett visited Yorkshire coastal towns including Bridlington. Michelle said speeches were made at three locations in Bridlington including Old Town and Prince Street in support of women’s suffrage using peaceful methods.

Michelle revealed how, in 1909, the Bridlington and District Women’s Suffrage Society were formed with Mrs Southcott, the mayoress, an active supporter. The Peoples Palace, the Oberon, and Taylors Cafe were meeting venues.  Dr Mary Murdoch from Hull, a well known suffragist, spoke in Bridlington. Local MP Sir Luke White was also supportive and submitted a petition with 1405 signatures to parliament.

From press reports Michelle was able to say that the Bridlington society did not support the methods of the Women’s Social and Political Union, the suffragettes, founded by Emmeline Pankhurst whose mantra was “Deeds not Words”.  Michelle could only find one local link to them.  Leonara Cohen, who smashed the cabinet containing the crown jewels in the Tower of London, was secretly married in Bridlington.

Michelle has also discovered that a very young Winifred Holtby wrote a recipe for a pudding which takes a suffragette, mixes in a policeman or two, garnishes with a sprig of martyrdom, and leaves in a cell to cool.

The local society went to Sewerby House to ask prospective MP, Philip Lloyd-Greame, for support.  Michelle said he was not 100% supportive.  Indeed, not everyone was. The Local Literary and Debating Society said the suffragettes had dirty skirts and would be better at home mending them.

Michelle concluded with the growing view that Emmeline Pankhurst’s activist suffragettes “deeds” may have worked against the suffragists “words” and delayed votes for women.

The vote of thanks was given by Gill Pudsey.