[PB: Much more work to be done. E.g. it would be good to follow up (and map?) the names of women activists (in addition to the Duvals) whose addresses are around the Common, e.g.
WANDSWORTH (branch of London Society for Women's Suffrage, NUWSS) - Secretaries s (1909, 1913) The Misses Hill, Roseneath, 3 Blenkame Road, Wandsworth Common, London SW.
WANDSWORTH (WSPU) - Secretary (1913) Mrs Chapman, 57 Gorst Road, Wandsworth Common, London SW.
[Source: Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1921.]
NB: FIND my notes on the woman I recall on West Side whose theatre group performed at Suffrage gatherings.]
[Only a short section on Wandsworth Common, but interesting to see meetings here in context - including how much hostility there clearly was in some areas. Hostility in Wandsworth too? Common Cause doesn't sound like Emily or Elsie Duval's sort of think - far too milk-and-water constitutional. So were there different suffrage gatherings?]
THE COMMON CAUSE
LONDON - WANDSWORTH. On Sunday afternoon last a meeting was held on Wandsworth Common. Miss Helen Frazer was the speaker, and Miss Georgiana Hill took the chair. About two hundred persons followed the speaking with close attention.
CHELTENHAM.
Another meeting was held on Friday. October 8th, in Leckhampton village, but as this is a suburb of Cheltenham the inhabitants are lacking in the gentleness and courtesy of ordinary villagers, and rowdiness prevailed from the first word. About thirty men rapidly assembled, not attempting to listen . but urging a crowd of boys to beat tin cans and boxes and howl their loudest. However, the meeting was kept up for three-quarters of an hour, and scraps of the message at least were delivered to three decent men and a few women who stood near the speaker.
During the homeward walk the two organisers, Miss Lilian How and Miss Theodora Mills, experienced some mobbing from the boys, but succeeded in bearing the banner off in triumph. Leaflets had been left at the houses previously. Two drawing-room meetings are being arranged, to lead up to Sir John Cockburn's public meeting on November 18th.
CUMBERLAND - KESWICK.
We had an excellent meeting here on Saturday, October 9th. Our President, Mrs. Slack, opened with an admirable short address from the chair. The principal speaker was Mr. Malcolm Mitchell (lien. Secretary of the Men's League for Women's Suffrage), whose first visit to us last January made such an excellent impression that we were anxious to follow it up. (I believe the Anti-Suffragists did not like him, but that can easily be understood!)
In some ways I think Saturday's meeting was the best we have ever had%not in point of numbers, but because of the earnest and thoughtful attitude of the audience. A good many Anti-Suffragists were present, and some interesting points were raised in the discussion that followed the speeches. Our resolution was carried by a large majority, in spite of the fact that sonic youthful males in the audience were so strangely ignorant how to exercise that masculine function of voting that they held up FJo hands in opposition. The resolution was seconded by Dr. Knight in a delightful speech, and supported by the Rev. Taylor Herd. A sery heartfelt vote of thanks to the men who are helping their fellow-countrywomen to win their political freedom was moved and seconded by Miss Newling and Miss C. K Marshall.
CUMBERLAND - PENRITH.
This society began its winter campaign on September Bth with an "At Home" which was a great success. The corun%ittee felt that something was needed to bring all tb: members together to meet the President (Mrs. Crackanthorpe) and to discuss plans for the winter. On October Bth a public meeting was held, the speakers being Lady Frances Balfour and Mrs. Philip Snowden, and the chair being taken by Mrs. Crackanthorpe.
The hall was crowded to overflowing, and the audience listened with rapt, attention to the stirring speeches of the speakers. Although many Anti-Suffragists were present, only three people voted against the resolution. Quite a number of new members were enrolled, eighty " Common Causes" were sold, and (what is important, to a young and poor society) a splendid collection was taken.
During the winter months sewing meetings are to be held at the houses of different members, and a sale will take place in the spring. The first of these meetings will be held on October 19th. The Committee hope to arrange to have the play "How the Vote Was Won" in November, and to have a debate early in the New Year. A speaker from "The Men's League for Opposing Women's Suffrage" has been secured.
DERBY.
Mrs. Francis Smith has been obliged to resign the Presidentship of this Society, as she is leaving England for six months. Lady Onslow has consented to become President in her place. A President who can wield the pen to such good effect as Lady Onslow is a President worth having.
LONDON - BECKENHAM.
The Beckenham branch held a most successful meeting at West Norwood Public Hall on October 6th, when Mrs. and Mr. Philip Snowden were the speakers. Although the hall has seating accommodation only for 600, about 700 people crowded in, and even then many had to be turned away. In opening the proceedings Miss Abadam apologised to Norwood that no suffrage meeting had been held there before, promising to make amends for past neglect.
Mr. Snowden cheered the 'hearts of the suffragists present by declaring his belief that the day is rapidly approaching when the vote will be granted to women. A few interruptions and a little opposition added zest to the meeting, and Mrs. Snowden, as usual, charmed everyone, even the anti-suffragists. so that those " who came to scoff remained to be converted".
A resolution to forward a petition to the House, through the member for the constituency, was passed almost unanimously, and, after the vote of thanks, an enthusiastic crowd assembled at the door to cheer the speakers and chairman as they drove off.
LONDON - ESHER.
A series of free lectures has been organised by a joint committee, composed of lceal members of the London Soociety and other lady sympathisers. The lectures are as follows: October 15th, at 3.15 p.m., Mr. J. Cameron Grant, " The Present Position of Women. Considered Socially, Politically, and Economically." October 27th, at 8.45 p.m.. Mr. Jas. J. Mallon, " Woman's Industrial Plight." November 3rd, 3.30. Mrs. Rackham, " Woman's Work on the Poor Law." They will be held in the Lower Hall of the Esher Village Hall. Tickets can be had on application to Miss M. Martineau, Esher.
OCTOBER 14, 1909.
gathered from the fact that one of the ladies who joined our committee had herself signed the petition, being told by its bearer, to whom she explained that she was in favour of Women's Suffrage, that it, was "only against the militants." Similar stories met us on every hand in the village, and we shall have the strong support of many of the "petitioners," all the stronger because they feel that they have been cheated.
[What was Common Cause's position?]
https://spartacus-educational.com/Wcommoncause.htm
https://spartacus-educational.com/WashtonM.htm
Margaret Ashton
Vote - Saturday 30 April 1910
THE VOTE. OUR WORK. During the IF those who say that the militant Truce. movement is dead are not afraid of spooks they would see what would strike them as a very healthy resurrection indeed should they happen to pay a visit to our offices. The number of applications for membership is increasing daily, and inquiries concerning the aims and objects of the Women's Freedom League - inquiries which we are only too willing to answer - are unceasing. As there are a large number of our members who are anxious to help us and do not know how they can best do it, we invite them, too, to write in or call in to us, and we shall find use for them. We want more street sellers for THE VOTE.
The sale of our paper is going up every week; the increase is steady, and anyone who buys it once wants it again. It is easy to sell and pleasant to read, so intending volunteers with a few hours to spare should apply for a pitch. Other Activities. WE want volunteers for our open-air meetings.
In Regent's Park every Sunday we hold enthusiastic gatherings and make many converts and strengthen the convictions of the indifferent. Presently we shall be holding others in Hyde Park and Kennington Park. Special open-air meetings in Battersea Park, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Brockwell Park, Victoria Park, Finsbury, Park, &c' will be found announced under " Forthcoming Events,' which should be carefully studied each week.
For Mrs. Manson's drawing-room meetings we are anxious to get more promises of drawing-rooms. Drawing-room meetings are a special form of propaganda which draw in many women who would, before they are convinced, be shy of standing to hear an open-air speaker.
Mrs. Despard is speaking at many fixtures in London and the provinces, and her engagements will be found on the list. On May 4th she will address a meeting of telegraphists at Essex Hall, Strand, and on Friday, 29th, will speak at Miss Seruya's reception at the Bijou Theatre, Scotland.