Marking 100 years of the women's vote

Llanfyllin has paid its own tribute on the centenary since women were granted the vote by unveiling a plaque in the town centre.

Town Councillor, Josie Ewing, donated the plaque and in a colourful ceremony, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tracey Windsor, cut the ribbon and the WI’s Ruth Weston delivered a speech.

“It is easy for us to forget that for anyone around the age of 50 it is likely that when their grandmother or mother was born she would not have had the right to vote in any election because of her sex,” said Ruth.

“She could not be awarded an Oxbridge degree. She could not be a lawyer or a doctor. She had no parental rights over her children, only a male could inherit property.

“We are a long way from those times but only because of brave and persevering women who spent decades writing letters, lobbying MPs, setting up public meetings, going on marches, knocking on doors, giving out leaflets on street corners. Prominent among the suffrage movement was the Women's Institute with its leaders at all levels working for the emancipation of women.

And the best thanks we can give them is to carry on their work. We must use our democratic vote, women must stand for election to council, Welsh Assembly and the UK Parliament. We must make sure women's voices and concerns are met in the NHS, in social care and in education. And we must celebrate women's achievement in art, and music and science. We have come a long way but we have a long way to go.”

The Deputy Mayor added: “On Saturday in our small way we recognised and commended the women of courage and determination who campaigned and fought for equal suffrage for all. I was very proud to unveil the plaque and want to thank everyone in the town for working together to make it such a successful and memorable day.”

PICTURE: Mayor of Llanfyllin Cllr Simon Baynes, Deputy Mayor Cllr Tracey Windsor and residents of Llanfyllin.