Deeping’s own Suffragette

“The images on the chairs represent issues concerning law and human rights; one of them is dedicated to the Suffragettes”

Deepings’ own Suffragette commemorated at Runnymede

There is a special reason why the bronze chairs that form the public artwork at Runnymede, designed by Hew Locke as part of the 800 year celebrations of the signing of the Magna Carta, have a resonance with the people of the Deepings.

The twelve chairs signify the number of jurors at a trial as a representation of Clause 39 of the Magna Carta which lays down the right to trial by jury. The images on the chairs represent issues concerning law and human rights; one of them is dedicated to the Suffragettes and, particularly, to Lillian Lenton.

Lillian, born in 1892, was the granddaughter of an old Deeping family, the Lentons, and she spent many happy holidays here, her father Isaac having left for Leicester in 1882 where he became a carpenter. It was during one of those holidays, in 1901, that while playing with her cousins, John and Joseph, two haystacks belonging to Samuel Frisby of Bank House, Eastgate, were set on fire. The boys denied involvement but nobody believed them when they insisted that it was Lillian who was to blame.

After leaving school, Lillian realised her ambition to train as a dancer but having heard Emmeline Pankhurst speak she was inspired to join the Suffragettes. Almost immediately she was involved in a serious window breaking episode and was one of 200 arrested and sent to Holloway Prison for two months. Unrepentant, on release she became involved in a sustained arson campaign with Olive Wharry, famously setting alight the tea pavilion in Kew Gardens in 1913. Remanded in custody, Lillian went on hunger strike and was force fed. She became seriously ill when food entered her lungs and she contracted double pneumonia and pleurisy. She was released under the Government’s Cat & Mouse Act which allowed prisoners to be released if they refused food and became ill but were to be re-arrested when they recovered.

Home Office Records, National Archives

Words: Judy Stevens Research: Mary Pendred, Elizabeth Parkinson, Joy Baxter, Elaine White Pictures: Ian Baxter

to France but was rearrested and the pattern repeated. On the outbreak of World War I and the cessation of the suffrage campaign, Lillian joined Elsie Inglis and the Scottish Women’s Hospital Committee and went to support Serbian soldiers fighting in Russia. For her work in Serbia, Lillian was awarded the French Red Cross Medal.

Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Lillian visited the country with fellow Suffragette, Nina Boyle. Later she worked for the British Embassy in Stockholm and became a speaker for Save the Children. She was Secretary for the National Union of Women Teachers until 1953.

Two years before her death in 1972, as Treasurer of the Suffragette Fellowship, she unveiled a memorial in Christchurch Gardens, Westminster, dedicated to all women who fought for the vote. Lillian’s indomitable nature showed through in a BBC1 documentary in 1968: ‘I was extremely pleased when we got the vote, but disgusted at the curious terms … men got the vote at 21, women at 30 and then only if they were householders. Personally I didn’t vote for a long time because I hadn’t either a husband or furniture, although I was over 30.’

Shutting it in or shutting it outWhatever You Need, We Have The Solution...

Garage Doors New, Repairs & Servicing.

All types supplied including Roller & Sectional. Automate existing doors.

Blinds Made to Measure.

Roller Venetian & Vertical.

Insect Screens Compact design. Internally or externally fitted. Lets air & light in, keeps insects out.

Shutters Security or Decorative. Commercial, Industrial & domestic.

Professional, friendly & personal service. No obligation Free quotations

Property

Crime

Family Wills & Probate

Dispute Resolution

Business

18 Priestgate, Peterborough PE1 1JN

Telephone: 01733 865880

www.mcp-law.co.uk

If you’d like to find out more about

- Personalised walks - One-to-one overnight care - Pop-ins for everything from dogs to chickens and rodents to reptiles - Or our unique wedding packages then please call Lauren on 07580250431 or visit www.laurenslead.com Lauren’s Lead offers friendly and reliable dog walking and pet care services in the Deepings and surrounding areas. We know that all animals are different, so our walks, pop-ins and overnight care are tailored to your pet’s individual needs.

TOWNGATE TYRE & SERVICE CENTRE LTD

Whitley Way, Northfields Industrial Estate, Market Deeping Tel: 01778 347973 Open Mon-Fri 8am - 5.30, Sat 8am - Midday

GREAT PRICES ON:

o TYRES o EXHAUSTS o BATTERIES o REPAIRS o MOT’S From £35 (APPOINTMENT ONLY) o BRAKE PADS & BRAKE DISCS 4 4 4 4 4 4

OFFER Buy 1 Tyre - MoT £30 Buy 2 Tyres - MoT £25 Buy 3 Tyres - MoT £20 Buy 4 Tyres MoT FREE ALL MAKES & MODELS SERVICING & REPAIRS

MoT & INTERIM SERVICE FROM

£94.95 COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE

www.mcvehicles.co.uk Email: Towngatetyres@aol.com

Festive Season Menus now available

Why not have a round of golf first 2 FOR 1

GREEN FEES Monday, Wednesday, Friday offer

The Toft Country House Hotel and Golf Club Toft, Bourne Lincs PE10 0JT Hotel Reception +44 (0) 1778 590614 www.tofthotelgolf.co.uk

For peace of mind when you are away from your house, home or property...

“We mind so that you don’t have to”

Deepings Home Minding Service

• Local family business providing a professional, discrete and personal service

• We make scheduled visits to your empty property to ensure all is well in your absence, be it for a day or a year.

• Management of the situation in case of emergencies found e.g. burglary or burst water pipe (Call out of police, insurance/utility companies and tradesmen etc)

• Range of additional services. • Only DBS/CRB checked family members employed • Fully insured with a range of testimonials • We cover the Deepings, Stamford,

Bourne & Werrington areas

T: 01778 343179 | M: 07595 166810 W: www.deepingshomemindingservice.co.uk E: dandjg35@hotmail.co.uk

Celebrating 13 years in business Offering a wide variety of treatments including:

* Gel polish * Manicure * Pedicure * Speciality waxing * Sienna X spray tanning * Massage * Reflexology * Aromatherapy * Facials 167 Eastgate, Deeping St.James, PE6 8RB www.relaxholistictherapies.co.uk 07759371413 £5 off first treatment on production of this advert !