Suffragette statue unveiled

A 7ft bronze statue of Leicester suffragette Alice Hawkins was officially unveiled in Leicester’s new market square.

A cheer went up followed by applause when the 800lb sculpture, hidden under purple drapes, was revealed in front of hundreds of people who had gathered.

A host of speeches took place to commemorate the special occasion.

Among those who spoke was Peter Barratt, Alice’s great grandson, who said he was extremely proud of the woman who had contributed so much to the suffragette movement, standing up for women’s rights, regularly addressing Leicester crowds in her battle to win equality for women through the right to vote, but also in their jobs.

Echoing her words: “Deeds not words,” he said the “fight for equality continues”.

He was joined at the momentous occasion by daughter Kate Barratt, and Leicester West MP Liz Kendall, who helped unveil the statue created by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn.

Kate said it was great to celebrate Alice’s life in the centenary year that votes for some women were granted and in the place where Alice herself gave “many rousing speeches”.

Miss Kendall said she was “honoured to be part of this incredibly special day”.

Ahead of the statue’s unveiling a mass procession took place which wound its way from Humberstone Gate East to the Clock Tower, before heading to the new market square.

Leading the procession was city councillor Elaine Pantling who played the part of Alice Hawkins. She was flanked by women and men carrying banners and gave an emotional rendition of The Women’s Marseillaise before regaling the crowd with the true-to-life tale of the movement’s golf course sabotage, when Alice and others wrote in large letters on the green: “No votes for women, no golf for men.”