The New BBC Suffragettes Archive Collection
Darling best GBF brings news of a wonderful new development at Auntie (the BBC)… Now he who has been dragged over the many (many) years we have known each other to many a lesbian bar, event and subtext-y opera has proven himself to be a true friend of the female of the species. Indeed he sat manfully (!) through a rather turgid National Theatre production of a suffragette themed play last year just so I could indulge my love of under-bustle sapphic action (Upstairs Downstairs had a whole different agenda in my mind!). And now he brings us news of further sources of interest for those of us proud to call ourselves feminists – a whole archive of incredible historical nuggets re. the suffragettes.
This archive seems to me to epitomise everything that is wonderful and noble about Auntie. It’s something that is vital to our cultural heritage, that the digital era affords, and for which there is no profitable business model. That is to say, this is exactly the sort of thing the Beeb was set up to do, and is the reason why I still happily pay my licence fee. In all the ‘market driven’ arguing about whether the Beeb is unfair competition we forget (at our peril) one very simple thing – the BBC does (incredibly well) what no market driven institution can do; it protects and promotes our cultural heritage.
Ethel Smyth (right) famously developed a late onset crush on Virginia Woolf. Image (c) equally wonderful New York Public Library Digital Library.
The site is full of original recordings, later interviews with suffragettes famous and not-so, and lots of fantastic background history and commentary. Everything you need to know and then some!
Perhaps most charming of all the extracts is Vera Brittain (in a voice only a certain class of lady speaking on the BBC in the 50s could possibly have mustered) introducing us to the story of how the beautifully eccentric composer, Sapphist (so much nicer than ‘dyke’) and suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth ended up doing 2 months in Holloway Prison. My favourite moment is when Dame Ethel herself says; “(..) relays of women produced hammers from their muffs and handbags.” Personally speaking I never go anywhere without a hammer. Or a muff.
[That answer your question Darling Boy? 
]
Auntie loves you too, darling, and thank you for spreading the word! May I suggest an early visit to Lower Marsh may be in order? Bring your muff. Hammers optional.
Tell Ivan to open the east wing, the maid is packing my trunks as we speak. Now, where DID I put that muff…? Oh and darling, please do not listen to a word Kitten says. It’s all lies. I did not touch that truck driver. I am quite unblemished, as well you know.
Dear one, I think I may presume to speak for all your readers when I say that we hope your muff is still exactly where you left it. Rxxx
Why Sir! That I would venture is the first time my muff has been referenced by a person of the male persuasion in these parts. Indeed persons ofthe male persuasion are a rare sighting altogether in my front parlour.I feel quite… enervated. But I must ask you to desist forwith. There will be talk, of that I am certain. And you must know that a lady spinster such as myself must guard her reputation fiercely if she is to survive in the harsh social climate of Gloucestercestershire.
I shall though take your advice and send Griselda, the under-maid, to seek my muff where last I left it. It may be some time however as she is tending to my front bush as we speak. She’s such a rough gal, but that she has a way with a bush is well acknowledged in Little Titford.
The Right Hon. Lady Purity Blessem’all-McCall, DSO, DVD, TTFN (retd.)