[The Times: Search: "Wandsworth Common"].
[BNA: Buckmaster Battersea 1909]
[BNA: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1909]
[London Evening Standard: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1909]
The Era - Saturday 09 January 1909
MISS ITALIA CONTI
At Liberty.
41, Crockerton road. Wandsworth Common.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000053/19090109/084/0004
>>https://www.italiaconti.com/
>>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italia_Conti
Does this mean that young Gertrude Lawrence studied here, on Cricket Road
In 1960, the school moved to Avondale, in Clapham, where the Acting Faculty remained until July 2022. In 1968, Ruth Conti passed the management of the school to trusted friends and colleagues Eve & Don Sheward, although she continued teaching until she retired in 1977.
Previous locations[edit]
Great Portland Street, London, 1911-1930.[9]
Church building in Lamb's Conduit Street, 1931-1941.[10]
12 Archer Street, London, 1945-1972.[9]
Avondale, Clapham, 1960-2022.[9]
Landor Road, Clapham, London, from 1972
Italia Conti House, ('the academy'), in Goswell Road, Islington, London, 1981-2022.[1]
The Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford, which housed Musical Theatre and Performing Arts with Dance Teacher Training Courses.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italia_Conti_Academy_of_Theatre_Arts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Fitzgerald
[Where did Penelope Fitzgerald work, and for how long?]
ANTI-TERRRITORIAL UPROAR AT WANDSWORTH.
BATTERSEA SOCIALISTS DEFEATED.
On Tuesday night Wandsworth Town Hall recently redecorated and embellished at • cost of the scene of uproar, the like of which ' not occurred within the combined recollections of the oldest inhabitant and hi, great-grandfather. Alarmiets asserted that the building shook from its foundations, but that, like some of the assertions made by reporters who were fearful and afraid (and which have appeared in the Proms), was greatly exaggerated. The hall was used on Tuesday night for a Town's Meeting in support of the Territorial Force. The Mayor presided in his robes with great dignity, which, however, could not overcome hie good humour, and he was attended by the leading officials, of the Council and the municipal apparitor. The platform and other parts of the hall were made gay patriotic bunting. There was • distinguished company to support the Mayor, including • number of oil' cers in unilorao The newly-formed andecellent bend of the 23rd Battalion played splendidly before the speechmaking began. Everything seemed to make for a harmonioue and successful meeting worthy of Wandsworth and of the cause But elements of discoid were present, and the suspicion arose that they came from listttreea, which majestic borough is to the old•wot Id people of Wandsworth as a red rag is to a furious bull. The suspicion soon strengthened into A , ONYIR\I CD RELIEF, and it was rumoured that the disturbing elements were the same as those which bad warred against the town's meeting at Battersea with such persie tence and with some effect. A further alarming belief was that a section of Socialists had come from Tooting, where—for Toating lies low—the dregs of the metropolis are libellously said to settle. The proceedings opened without incident. Letters were read by the Mayor from Lord Esher and Sir Henry Kimber, who were unable to attend, and from the Rev. J. H. Anderson (Tooting's redeeming feature), who wrote stating that it was better to encourage patriotism than to watch football. The disaffected then began to manifest themselves. They called for the reading of another letter. This document the Mayor admitted he had received, but in the exercise of his discretion he declined to read it. Those who knew anything about it could refer to it here After, be said. His worship went on to urge Wandsworth men to take their proper part in the scheme of national defence. Ho was occasionally interrupted, and his patriotic sentiments wereqeered at be the Socialists and by • woman who was said to be the heroine of tho Battersea uproar. Sir Henry Mackinnon and Mr. Lorden, who moved and seconded a resolution of support, were fret piently deprived for short periods of the exercise of free speech. After they had done their be-,t a demand was made for an opportunity to move an amendment. The Mayor refused to accept an amendment, though be read what was put torward. It get forth that the people had no country, because it helorged to the capitalists. They had no homes worthy the name and therefore they declined to support militarism in any shape or form. A Mr. Underwmxl, a man of no physical bigness, but great with for the cause, strode tut ward at the invitation of the Mayor and TV THE meeTlxi. from the platform. A continuous din prevented him from being beard, except when the people took their breath. The disjointed words which then reached their ears wore objected to Re. course was had to the infollible speech drowner the singing of "Sit down" to the tune of the chimee of Big Ben. Mr. Underwood, as an orator, was vanquished. He continued, however, to gesticulate most valiantly. The Mayor called for order, and regarding Mr. Underwood as the prin• eipal cause of the uproar urged him to desist, and even left the chair and tried to prevail upon him to go. Mr. Underwood gesticulated with renewed vigour. The Town Hall superintendent went on the platform to remove him. Mr. Undo' wood resisted. There was a struggle on the edge of the platferni, but it did not last long. The imistanee to the superintendent speedily feebled, and Mr. Underweod went hack to his place attended by the triumphant cries of all but his own associates. Official repolutiotis were put and carried. There were many interruptions from the woman and from her friends, who kept saying they had nothing to defend. The Wandsworth assembly shouted them down and threatened them w ith ejectment. When Colonel Thomson began to speak the Socialist disorder broke out with renewed force. Wandsworth determined to stand it no longer. A rush was made for the Socialist group. The meet• Mg was in in instant a confused, struggling and yelling crowd. There was a tumultuous movement as of a mighty struggle, and hands and arms belongieg, as it seemed to those on the platform, not to individual@ but to the general assembly, rose and fell as if dealing out blows. The yelling deafened one. In a very short space of time a bole was made in the Socialist portion of the mass near the front mats, and a swift movemenr. took place towards the door. From the middle of a strenuous swarm
A HAND WAS HELD LIMPLY in taken of unconditional surrender. It was, we believe, the hand of the leading Socialist who was being carricd out. In the middle of another swarm might have been the woman, but she could not be seen from the platform. Her accuptomed seat was void. When nearing the door there was a further stiuggle as the people at the back, advancing to see what the matter was, met the victors with their discomfited foe. Then police. helmeted headP darted swiftly hither and thither, and ways were opened up with startling diepatch. The police completed the evictions. Great fear fell on all the ociali,tsv,ho remained, and the end , of that meeting was peace and practical unanimity.
[BNA: Link.]
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