I am the great great niece of Emmeline Pankhurst, a few years ago I began to feel that it was my duty to research the history of the Pankhurst and Goulden family, and what part Tendring played in the suffragette movement.

It all began with Emmeline, I was always curious to where she got her fire from, so I began researching and discovered that it was Emmeline’s mother, Sophia Goulden who had inspired Emmeline’s passion for woman’s rights.

Researching further, I also learned about the Clacton Caravan Club and how several suffragette members lived in Tendring, and that even Emmeline used to bring her children to Clacton when they were young.

Lilian and Amy Hicks who were mother and daughter lived at Great Holland Hall, they were both active members of the suffragettes, in 1910 they both took part in the ‘Black Friday Protest’ a struggle between the police and protesters at parliament square, that turned violent, also at the protest was my other great great aunt Mary Clark, all three were arrested and sent to Holloway prison.

Kate and Louise Lilly were born in London 1874 and 1883, they moved to Holland House, Skelmersdale road, Clacton, in 1908, the two sisters were active members of the Clacton’s branch of the woman’s social and political union (WSPU) led by Emmeline Pankhurst, the sisters, whose father helped create the Lily and Skinners shoe company, often headed into London to take part in the suffragette campaign, in 1910 they headed into London to take part in the ‘Black Friday Protest’ and then again in 1912 for the ‘Smashing Windows Protest’, by using pieces of flint to break windows at the war office, this time they were both arrested and sent to Holloway prison for two months.

On their return, crowds had gathered at Clacton train station and at their headquarters in Rosemary Road, Clacton town centre, given them a hero’s welcome.

These are just a few examples of what part Tendring had played in the suffragette movement, and how through sacrifice and dedication, how some of Clacton’s residents helped shape history and   Promote the votes for woman campaign.

My name is Kathrine resident of  Holland on Sea