Walk in the footsteps of suffragettes

TWO guided walks which will celebrate both local and national anniversaries will take place in Huddersfield tomorrow.

The first walk, starting from Huddersfield Library steps at 10.30am, is part of a wider programme of commemorative events over the weekend marking 150 years from the date when Huddersfield was granted its charter as a Municipal Borough.

Local historian David Griffiths will lead a tour of key landmarks of early (and later) civic initiatives, recalling the wide range of public services pioneered by the Corporation. David is editor of a new book on the subject, Making up for Lost Time, published by Huddersfield Local History Society.

The second walk, starting at 2.30pm from St. George’s Square, marks the centenary of the 1918 Act that gave the voting rights to women over 30. Join historian Jill Liddington to walk in the footsteps of local suffragettes as well as the visit in 1906 of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst who addressed packed meetings in the town. Jill’s latest book, Vanishing for the Vote, tells the story of the suffragette boycott of the 1911 census. The walk ends about 4pm with an indoor question and answer session and discussion.

The walks last between 90 minutes and two hours and cost £3 per person. No booking is required. They have been organised by the Discover Huddersfield partnership.

Further information about the programme of Discover Huddersfield walks and a series of free printed trails can be found at local information points and libraries or by visiting www. discoverhuddersfield.com