Tag Archives: event

The Fearless and the Fabulous walks coming soon!

Posted on by
Reply

From some of Britain’s first women doctors to suffragettes, entrepreneurs to entertainers, artists, music-hall stars, and campaigners, Brighton and Hove has always attracted women who dare do things differently. Join Louise Peskett, author of The Fearless and the Fabulous, a Journey through Brighton and Hove’s Women’s History, on these easy walks to discover the amazing stories of some of the intriguing, adventurous, fantastic, outrageous, and scandalously little known female characters of the city’s past. All tours last approx 1 hour, 45 minutes.

May 2022 dates as part of the Brighton Fringe

Fearless and Fabulous Women Women of Brighton

Starts – outside St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3LJ

Sunday mornings 8th, 22nd 29t May, and 5th June at 10.00am

Tuesday evenings 10th, 24th May at 6.00pm.

Fearless and Fabulous Women of Hove

Starts – The Garden Café, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove, BN3 1PL

Saturday mornings 7th, 21st, 28th May and 4th June at 10.00am

Thursday evening 19th May at 6.00pm

Tuesday evening 2nd June at 6.00pm

Fearless and Fabulous Women of Kemptown

Pop up tours to be confirmed. Please email or call for details.

Tickets £8.50/ £7 concs

Book at brightonfringe.org, call 01273 917272

For pop-up tours, further info and blog www.historywomenbrighton.com

Private tours and lectures can be arranged. Tours in French and adapted versions for EFL students and schools available. See www.historywomenbrighton.com for details or contact Louise at historywomenbrighton@outlook.com or 07758 296563.

See The Fearless and Fabulous: A Journey Through Brighton and Hove’s Women’s History by Louise Peskett. For sale at City Books and in the Royal Pavilion and Museum shops. Or contact Louise at the email address above.

Advertisement

Bonnets allowed

Posted on by
Reply

Ellen Nye Chart bonnets

So if you take a seat in the Pit Stalls, ladies, you won’t have to remove your bonnet!  This is from the programme of a Theatre Royal, Brighton production in 1888.

It had not been long under the stewardship of ‘Proprietess, Ellen Nye Chart’ (1839 – 92).   Despite being a widow and a single mother Ellen managed to turn a £6,000 debt into a £38,000 asset and make sure that Brighton would be forever on the country’s theatrical map when she became manager.

Ellen Nye Chart NPG

Ellen was born a builder’s daughter in Islington.  Arriving in Brighton as an actress with a gig at the theatre she ended up marrying the actor-manager Henry Nye Chart.  When he died not long afterwards she decided she wouldn’t retire into the shadows as was often the custom for widows but take the theatre by the reins.  Her creativity and good business sense are legendary.  She made the theatre more accessible, introduced a wider variety of productions and performers, inaugurated the annual pantomime (to which the inmates of Brighton Workhouse were invited to attend for free) and instigated ‘flying matinees’ where the hits of the London stage decamped to Brighton in the morning to put on a matinee performance before getting the evening train back to London.  Ellen Nye Chart made sure Brighton would always be on the country’s theatrical map.   She’s just one of the many women I’ll be talking about on Friday 8th February at the Dome, Brighton.  Also expect to hear about some music-hall legends, early comediennes, divas of early film, drag artists, and iconic soap actresses.  See below…

https://brightondome.org/event/24518/women_in_entertainment/

Here’s a link to an interview I gave The Dome a few weeks ago….

https://brightondome.org/news_blog/heritage_talk_women_in_entertainment_with_louise_peskett/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrior Women This Afternoon!

Posted on by
2

hannah snell

Very short notice but I’m doing a talk this afternoon at 3pm in the Duke of York’s cinema, Preston Circus on some of the women in the past who disguised themselves as men to get round the ban on women serving in the military.  Above  is Hannah Snell (1723 – 1792l), soldier and pub landlady, who served in the Battle of Pondicherry, and at one point, ended up removing a bullet from her own groin in secret rather than ask for medical attention and reveal that she was a woman.  I’ll also be talking about fearless, Irish-born Margaret Bulkley, aka Dr James Barry, who managed, in disguise, to storm two male bastions in one go, qualifying as a doctor at the University of Edinburgh, and then getting a job as an army surgeon.  Dr Barry had a successful career all over the world.  In South Africa she performed the world’s first successful caesarean that didn’t end up with the death of mother or baby.  She was one of the first doctors to use anaesthetics, stood up for slaves, was vegetarian, managed an outbreak of cholera in Malta, managed to annoy Florence Nightingale, was thanked by the Duke of Wellington and successfully kept her disguise until she died.  I’ll be talking about these and other daring, sometimes sad, but always swashbuckling stories of other women soldiers (including local heroine, Phoebe Hessel) this afternoon.

Dr Barry is on the left.  She’s accompanied by her friend, John, whom she met in Jamaica.

Part of the @AgeingWellFestival in Brighton for 50+. Tickets 01273 322940.

Photograph;_Dr._James_Barry_with_negro_servant_and_dog._Wellcome_L0022267

Ageing Well and Historical Women

Posted on by
Reply

This Autumn I will be doing six events for the Brighton Ageing Well Festival (previously known as the Brighton Older People’s Festival).  The Festival, which is about to start on 30th September and runs until 13th October, describes itself on its website as ‘a two week extravaganza packed full of events for you to get to, highlighting the activities going on in our city all year round.’  Talks, walks and other activities aimed at ages 50+.

My events include three gentle 90 minute walks:

‘‘Notorious Women of Hove” on Wednesday 2nd October, starting at 11 from the Garden Café in St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove.

“Notorious Women of Brighton” on Sunday 6th October, starting at 11 from St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton.

And “Notorious Women of Kemptown” on Sunday 13th October, starting at 11 from St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown.

I’ll also be doing three 60 minute illustrated talks in the café-bar at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse Cinema, Preston Road, Brighton.  All start at 3pm.  These are:

Thursday 3rd October – “Entertaining Women” – a look at some of the brilliant women from our city who have found fame in the worlds of theatre, music-hall, cabaret, film, TV, soap opera, and music.

Tuesday 8th October, “Pioneering Women Doctors of Brighton and Hove” – a look at some of the early women doctors who came to practise in the city from the 1890s.

Thursday 10th October – “Women Warriors” – a look at Brighton’s Phoebe Hessel and some of the women, like her, who disguised themselves as men and managed to have a military career years before women were allowed to join the army.

There are many other fantastic events going on.  To find out more, go to http://www.ageingwellfestival.org

Most events are low priced or free.  To book contact the Festival directly on 01273 322940

See you there!

 

 

Wonderful Women of Kemptown – Guided Walks July and August!

Posted on by
Reply

KT flyer

So the flyer says ‘notorious’, but the women of Kemptown are pretty wonderful too.  The first British woman to swim the Channel, the first (and, surely, the only) woman to be awarded a blue plaque for services to witchcraft, a woman who changed the way we shop and one of Britain’s top female novelists who managed to be a rip-roaring success without ever giving an interview, what’s not to love?  On Saturday morning 20th July and Tuesday evening 6th August, I’ll be holding guided walks around this lovely area, looking at the buildings and streets with links to these woman and more.  Both walks fully accessible and lasting around 90 minutes.  Start point outside St George’s Church, 93 St George’s Road, Brighton, BN2 1ED (below).  We’ll wind things down on Lewes Crescent.  Cost £8/£7 per person.

More details:

Saturday 20th July, 10.30 a.m

Tuesday 6th August 6.30 p.m

If you’re interested in joining me email me at historywomenbrighton@outlook.com or call 07758 296563

st georges church KT

 

New Walking Tours! Get in Touch with Brighton and Hove’s Feminine Side…

Posted on by
Reply

I am really happy to have just started working in partnership with Visit Brighton.  New tours, new information – all accessible here:  http://www.visitbrighton.com/things-to-do/history-women-brighton-p1187231?purgepage=true  Or carry on reading…

2

Get in touch with Brighton and Hove’s feminine side on a walking tour with Royal Pavilion and Museums guide, Louise Peskett. Discover an alternative view of the city illustrated by the stories of the incredible, outrageous, and brilliant women of its past.

Join me on a gentle 90 minute walk:

History Women Brighton – Women soldiers, music-hall stars and rebellious princesses come alive on this stroll from central Brighton’s oldest church through the Lanes, Pavilion Gardens and Brighton’s Cultural Quarter, finishing at the Theatre Royal.

History Women Hove – Starting in central Hove’s St Ann’s Well Gardens and proceeding through the area’s grandest squares to the seafront, this walk follows the footsteps of some of Britain’s first women doctors, suffragettes, social campaigners and artists, and takes in a pioneering women’s hospital and game-changing girls’ school.

History Women Kemptown – Hear how worlds as diverse as policing, fashion, education, and corsets were influenced by women who once lived in this atmospheric and historic suburb of Brighton! Starts at St George’s Church.

Victorian Working Class Brighton – During the nineteenth century the Queen’s Park/Hanover area developed as a vibrant and lively working-class district. Join me to discover traces of these long-gone communities in old shops, pubs, slipper-baths, the work-house, and school. Starts at St Luke’s Church.

The Royal Pavilion Estate – A visit inside the Royal Pavilion is a Brighton ‘must-do’ but what about the outside? This hour’s walk around the Royal Pavilion Gardens and surrounds explores the creation of this beautiful green space, the history of the Gardens, its adjoining gates and buildings, and its First World War legacy.

No group too small. Too long? Too short? Let me tailor a walk to your requirements.

All walks available in French. TEFL trained, I am experienced in guiding in simple English to language students and people without fluent English. All levels catered for. Language students welcome!

Don’t want to walk? I offer the above walks – and more – as seated, illustrated lectures. Let me visit your group and enjoy the stories from the comfort of a chair. Full list on my website www.historywomenbrighton.com.

All walks will go ahead at pre-set times during the Brighton Fringe in May 2017 as usual and, hopefully, if the weather forecast looks good, in Spring.  Check here or drop me an email if you’d like to be on my mailing list.  See you soon!

Wait! There’s more…

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_20150622_143626395

This is the state of my shoes after doing nineteen Notorious Women walking tours around Brighton and Kemptown throughout May.  To say nothing of my cagoule and a variety of umbrellas lost, blown inside out and left on the number 7 bus.  But despite this, I had a great time.  If you came, a big thank you for buying a ticket, joining in, telling me about other historic women I didn’t know about, and generally making them fun occasions.   I was really pleased to get not one two great reviews from The Argus this year.  Here: http://www.theargus.co.uk/leisure/critic/12929429.Brighton_Fringe__Notorious_Women_Of_Brighton__starts_St_Nicholas_Church__Dyke_Road__until_Sunday__May_31__call_01273_917272/   http://www.theargus.co.uk/leisure/critic/12929429.Brighton_Fringe__Notorious_Women_Of_Brighton__starts_St_Nicholas_Church__Dyke_Road__until_Sunday__May_31__call_01273_917272/   And here: http://www.theargus.co.uk/leisure/critic/12931104.Brighton_Fringe__Notorious_Women_of_Kemptown__from_St_George___s_Church__Kemptown__until_Saturday__May_23__call_01273_917272

To sum up ‘I was really pleased when they Peskett’s excellently researched tour focuses on telling great stories’, ‘This fascinating tour is a wonderful way to explore the area, discovering architectural features, blue plaques, narrow twittens and quiet mews streets for the first time.’  And, best of all, ‘Guide Louise Peskett is usually fond of her subjects, but commented: “I tried to find something interesting to tell you about this princess, but she was actually quite dutiful and boring. So let’s talk about corsets!”  .

With this in mind, I’m going to do them all over again (in new shoes).  So if you didn’t catch the walks first time around, went to one but didn’t manage the other, or don’t know what I’m talking about, you can join me during July and August for a hopefully sunnier walk through the town, hearing some great stories and taking in some of Brighton’s more female-centric history.  Just like we’re doing down here (with thanks to Barbara Graeff for photo);

IMG_4665

So here are the dates…

Notorious Women of Brighton.   Wilful princesses, Music Hall stars, headstrong courtesans, entrepreneurs, Brighton has always attracted women who dare do things differently. Hear some of their stories and other female claims to fame.  Starts outside St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton. Tuesday evenings 14th, 21st, 28th, July and 11th, 18th and 25th August at 6.30 pm.  I will also be doing two Sunday mornings – 26th July and 16th August.  10.30 am start.  Tours last for about one hour and 20 minutes.

Notorious Women of Kemptown.  From Ladies to ladies, scientists to sportswomen, Kemptown has inspired some incredible women. Hear how worlds as diverse as policing, fashion, education, shopping and the arts were shaken by local women on this gentle walk.  Starts outside St Georges Church, St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton on two Saturday mornings – 25th July and 15th August. 10.30 am start.  Also Tuesday evening 4th August at 6.30pm.

Tickets for both walks cost £7.50 / £6.50 concessions.  I’m not selling advance tickets so please turn up early to secure your place or email me on historywomenbrighton@outlook.com so I know to expect you and save you a place.

I’ll look forward to seeing you there!

In the meantime, thanks to my friend, Ali Ghanimi, here’s proof that the gold sphere on Brighton’s clocktower does move up and down.  You weren’t dreaming that.

clock

and….

clock1

 

Women’s History Festival – Last Call

Posted on by
Reply

1

I’ve posted about this before, but it’s so good, I’m posting again!
Join us tomorrow, Saturday 14th March 2015, from 10 a.m – 6 p.m for Brighton’s first Women’s History Festival. The full programme and times are here http://freeuniversitybrighton.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Brighton-Women’s-History-Festival-Schedule.pdf
barnsley-women-against-pit-closures-300x195

Talks at the Free University Brighton organised event include: The African Princess in Brighton – Brighton & Hove Black History Project, Women and the Mass Observation Archive – Suzanne Rose, Bad Girls: The Secret History of Women and Sexism – Louise Raw, “Prinny’s” Women – Jaki da Costa, Women and the Black Market in Post War Britain – Terry McCarthy and Women and the Miners Strike – Bev Trounce.
Guided walks – The Suffragettes of Brighton and Hove led by my colleague at Brighton Museum, Karen Antoni, and I will be turning my ‘Notorious Women of Brighton’ into ‘Amazing Women of Brighton’ for a walk at 2.30.
Workshops – Phenomenal Women: Creative Writing with Evlynn Sharp and Zine Making (Create your own women’s history ‘zine’ with historical materials from the National Archive) with Vicky Iglikowsky.
There’ll be two brilliant exhibitions, ‘Herstory’, an interactive women’s history exhibition by Alice Wroe – with activities suitable for children and, until 2pm, ‘100 Years of Women in Policing’ with Sussex Police.

PLUS – Film screenings, poetry readings, activities for children and young people, and food and drink available in the Brighthelm Café.

It’s taking place at the Brighthelm Centre http://www.brighthelm.org.uk/ North Road, Brighton,
BN1 1YD

See you there!