AS this year’s National Democracy Week drew to a close, a ceremony was held in Tiverton to commemorate the suffrage movement and the passing of The Representation of the People Act 1918.

The event, which was hosted by the Chairman of Mid Devon District Council, Peter Heal, centred around the planting of a tree in Tiverton’s People’s Park. The tree planting was led by the Council’s oldest serving female member, Cllr Eileen Andrews, along with other female members who also took part in laying some soil.

The association between trees and the suffrage movement has a long history. In 1909, a botanical garden dedicated to the political activists was created by the Blathwayt family at their home near Bath.

The family offered refuge to more than 60 Suffragettes who had been imprisoned for their political activism and invited them to plant a tree to commemorate their prison sentences and hunger strikes.

Trees are also a symbol of strength, character, determination, and perseverance – all attributes that these iconic women possessed.

Devon History Society has informed the Council that there were four known Mid Devon Suffragettes, each of whom were recognised during the ceremony with the laying of four flower bouquets for each of them.

The ceremony was attended by: the Council’s Honorary Alderman, Devon History Society, Tiverton Soroptimists and Town Mayors, among others.

Cllr Eileen Andrews, ward member for Cullompton South, said: “I am proud to be leading the planting of this tree in memory of the Suffragettes, not only as a Councillor, but as a Cullompton resident – it is truly a huge honour.”

This event was part of the inaugural National Democracy Week, which kicked off on Monday, July 2. The week marked the 90th anniversary of the 1928 Equal Franchise act which gave women the same voting rights as men and the centenary of the passing of The Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave the first votes to women and all men.