FEBRUARY 6 is the centenary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act allowing women to vote for the first time and bringing to an end a campaign in which Petersfield area people took a great interest.

The movement for women’s suffrage became political in 1897 when Millicent Fawcett founded the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies and Emmeline Pankhurst began militant campaigning through the National Women’s Social and Political Union (NWSPU).

According to Petersfield A Hundred Years Ago, by David Jeffery, in 1907, Mrs Pankhurst was invited by Amy Badley, wife of the founder of Bedales, John Badley, to give a lecture at the Steep school.

Mrs Pankhurst appealed to every woman and every right-minded man to help women obtain that political equality so urgently needed.

A highly-successful ‘Votes for Women’ public meeting, organised by the NWSPU, was held a few months later in Petersfield’s Corn Exchange in The Square.

A large proportion of women were present at the meeting and there was general sympathy for the issue with a majority supporting the resolution: ‘This meeting calls upon the Government to grant facilities for the discussion of the Bill for the Enfranchisement of Women now before the House.’

Bedales played host to a fete and meeting in support of women’s suffrage in the summer of 1911.

The meeting’s speaker, Evelyn Sharp, said the venue was particularly apt for such a meeting as it was already fulfilling the criteria for equal chances being given to both boys and girls.

“Indeed, when their battle was fought and won, they could say that it had been partly won on the playing fields of Bedales,” she added.

In March the following year, another meeting at the school addressed the question of the growing militancy of suffragettes.

Mrs Badley argued both constitutional and militant methods were valid and necessary in the struggle to bring women the vote.

By the time of the next fete in 1913, the Petersfield Women’s Suffrage Society was increasing its membership and the fete attracted 300-400 people.

In 1913, there was also strong support for women in the Great Suffragist March who passed through Petersfield on their way to London.

Then came the changes of the First World War.

Petersfield Museum is holding a special evening of talks, ‘Inspiring Women of Petersfield’, to introduce just some of the inspiring women, past and present, who have called Petersfield and the surrounding villages home.

As well as Amy Badley, Kathleen Merritt, who was a pioneer among 20th-century women conductors, artist Flora Twort and her circle of friends – Hester Wagstaff, Winifred Stamp and Marie Brahms – will feature plus present-day author Tiffany Francis.

The event is on February 6 at the Physic Garden Hall, off High Street. Refreshments will be provided. Tickets cost £7 and must be booked in advance by contacting the museum on 01730 262601 or e-mailing: [email protected]