Midsomer Norton and Bath Townswomen were proud to join members of Bath and District Soroptomists and other local women’s organisations in ‘A Celebration of Women’ at St Michael’s Without Church, Bath, to commemorate the enactment of the Representation of the People Act 1918.

A floral tribute was presented in the organisation’s Suffragist colours of red for courage, green for hope and white for faith. The Representation of the People Act finally gave the right to vote to property-owning women aged thirty, following decades of Suffrage campaigning.

Three candles in the Suffragettes’ colours of purple, green and white were lit by individual speakers as they moved to the lectern. Walcot State Choir, Bath, performed choral interludes and led the congregation in singing ‘Jerusalem’ to close an absorbing evening. Pictured are the clergy and speakers for the evening; Bath Soroptomists’ President, Helen Young, and their Regional President, Daphne Dowsing; Annie Maws, the High Sheriff of Somerset; Councillor Ian Gilchrist, Mayor of Bath/Honorary President of Bath Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds and Councillor Cherry Beath, Chair of B&NES Council and former Mayor and Hon. President of Bath Federation of TGs. The floral tribute was arranged by Sweet Pea Florists, Midsomer Norton.

Joan Norman