A COUNTY Durham village was transported back to the last century for a suffragette rally planned as part of celebrations to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Dozens of women and girls dressed up to take part in the rally in Coxhoe on Saturday, which was organised by the village’s history group.

 

Among the speakers was Roberta Blackman-Woods, the first woman MP for the City of Durham, Coxhoe county councillor Maura McKeon and Barbara Hepplewhite, from the Coxhoe History Group, which also presented an exhibition of its research.

Dr Blackman-Woods said: “It’s so fantastic to have this living history because for us here it can be hard to understand or believe there was a time when women didn’t have the vote.

“It was such an important campaign, for women but also for men as well who have benefited from women having the vote.”

“It’s important women have the vote and it’s important women use their vote which is why we are encouraging all women to use the vote and instil in young people that it’s important to vote because votes do change things.”

 

Cllr McKeon, who also helped revive the Durham Women's Gala this year as part of suffrage centenary celebrations, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work over several months and you’ve all done a sterling job for the community.

“It’s great to be here celebrating 100 years of some women getting the vote bit the best thing about being here is seeing all the young suffragettes.

“One of the reasons I’m in politics is because I want a better future for women after us and I don’t want them to put up with some of the things we have to put up with.”

 

Outreach workers from Beamish Museum helped with the project, which also included girls from Coxhoe’s youth group as well as with women from St Andrew’s Methodist Church.

Mrs Hepplewhite said: “We are delighted with how it has turned out – we’ve had so many people come to make it a really nice community event.”

“It’s been great to see the older ladies showing their support, and children as well. They’ve loved it which is what it’s all about.”

 

The rally was followed by tea in the village hall, which was transformed into a Lyons cornerhouse cafe for the afternoon.