From: “The Women’s Suffrage Movement in and around Richmond and Twickenham” by Gerald and Joan Heath (published by the Local History Society)

There was a great deal of activity by women suffragettes in the area between 1906 and 1913 including the burning of houses, burning a train, burning a race course grandstand, breaking into Kew Gardens and destroying plants and burning down the tea house, breaking windows, pouring phosphorous into letterboxes etc.

There were also branches of the Anti-Suffrage League set up in Kew and another in Hampton, where they argued that it would be dangerous to allow women the right to vote.

A sketch entitled “How the vote was won” by Cicely Hamilton and Chris St John was performed in Twickenham Town Hall in 1910 with the purpose of raising people’s awareness of the issue.

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, who lived in grace and favour at Hampton Court Palace, set up a local branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union, which campaigned for Votes For Women. She also organised a ‘No vote, no tax’ protest and the Women’s Tax Resistance League, which she led by refusing to pay any tax. Her jewels were taken in lieu of payment and sold, but were bought back by supporters and returned to her, on several occasions.

There were large demonstrations held in Richmond, with a gathering in Marble Hill Park of women from all over the South of England. Christabel Pankhurst and Mrs Fawcett addressed meetings in the borough.

An actress from Hampstead, Miss Kitty Marion, 35 years old, was responsible with 26 year old Miss Clara Giveen, for the fire at Hurst Park racecourse. They were experienced militants, and when sent to Holloway, went on hunger-strike and were later released.

Lady Frances Balfour and Lady Yoxall lived in the borough and were also prominent militants.

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