As the Brighton Fringe enters its final fortnight I’ve scheduled some extra Fearless and Fabulous Walks. Join me for an hour and three quarters of gentle ambling as we explore the streets and alleyways trodden by some of the city’s most incredible women from the past. Like cross-dressing music hall star and performer (as well as some time Hove resident) Vesta Tilley (below)
Meet outside St Nicholas Church in the Churchyard itself. Sunday May 25th at 10am (waiting list only) AND 1.30pm on the same day. Sunday 1st June at 10am AND 1.30pm. Tuesday 27th May at 6pm (waiting list only)
Fearless and Fabulous Women of Kemptown.
I’ve promised several people the Kemptown version in June or early July. Watch this space!
Fabulous tales (and possibly a bit of rain, but we don’t mind that, do we?) await!
Thank you to everyone who joined me in Brighton Fringe this year to walk, talk, chat and explore our city’s brilliant women’s history!
Here I am on a busy walk in Hove, joined by about 28 of you on a beautiful day, finding out about the former New Sussex Hospital for Women and Children on Windlesham Road.
(Photo: Ian Godley) I was really excited to get an email from Brighton Fringe on 31st May – so a couple of days before the end of the festival – advising me that I’d been nominated for an Audience Choice Award: Best Brighton Fringe Event Supported by Chichester Festival Theatre based on the number of five star reviews my walks received. I was very flattered as this is the only award nominated and chosen by the ticket buying public rather than arts industry professionals. Hooray! Here I am at the Awards ceremony on the 2nd June at the Vault, looking triumphant (and relieved. You never really know how much people are enjoying it a hundred per cent), even though I didn’t win.
(Photo: Nimrod Peskett)
Ah well. I’ll have to keep my Oscar acceptance speech for another day 😊
(But if I had given my Oscar acceptance speech I would have totally given it over to Dr Louisa Martindale, Dr Helen Boyle, Margaret Powell, Clara Butt, the Hilton Twins, Martha Gunn, Phoebe Hessel, Sophia Duleep Singh, Princess Omoba Aina and all the other wonderful women whose stories I tell.)
When I started to do these women’s history tours, first in Brighton, then Kemptown, then Hove, I counted myself lucky if more than five people turned up. I would get phone calls ‘is it OK if my husband comes with me? I mean, are men allowed?’. The tours lasted just over an hour and people would say afterwards ‘wow, I’d never heard of any of those women!’ Fast forward 12 years and my tours are almost 2 hours long – and still I only feel as if I’m presenting the tip of the mighty iceberg. Many more women now have blue plaques thanks to the efforts of the Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group among others. Many women I talk about on my walks have become local household names – or, at least, better known. One of them (Mercedes Gleitze, first British woman to swim the Channel) is now the subject of a fantastic, well-regarded feature film! I find that, rather than introducing many of the women to people for the first time, we’re now exploring different angles, talking about what their legacy is, how they changed things generally, their journey towards getting a blue plaque.
There are still a huge amount of women who aren’t as well known as they should be and I’d also like to research the stories of local working women in the past to add to my walks. I have a few ideas about this, so watch this space!
In the meantime, please remember that my three walks are available to book. I’m not scheduling in any walks for the foreseeable future (this may change, watch this space again) but if you have a group – even a very small group of friends/family, etc. – and you fancy your own private walk, please contact me and I’ll see if I can fit you in. I’ve done private walks in the past for a couple of hen nights, birthday parties, work away-days, and groups such as W.I.s and U3As. In a couple of weeks I’m looking forward to doing my third walk for the fabulous people at Connected Brighton. I can offer you weekends, some week days, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. I can customise content, start in a different place, shorten, lengthen and generally tailor to your requirements.
For seated talks I offer ‘Fearless and Fabulous Women of Brighton and Hove,’ ‘Fearless and Fabulous Women of East Sussex’, ‘Fearless and Fabulous Women of West Sussex’, ‘Entertaining Women’, ‘Cooking Women’, ‘Women Warriors’, ‘The Pioneering Women Doctors of Brighton and Hove’, ‘The Story of Brighton Suffragettes’ and ‘Actress, Singer, Suffragette: the Fantastic Story of the Actresses Franchise League’.
Here I am at The Dome in November 2023 with some of my array of Entertaining Women. How many can you spot?
(Photo: Julia Winckler)
Also, a reminder! If you want to take yourself on a walk or just dip in to some of the stories of our local women, my book ‘The Fearless and The Fabulous, a Journey Through Brighton and Hove’s Women’s History’ is still available at the Royal Pavilion shop, Brighton Museum shop htpps://shop.brightonmuseums.org.uk, Kemptown Bookshop http://www.kemptownbookshop.co.uk, City Books Hove http://www.city-books.co.uk and the Green Room Cafe on Ditchling Road. Or just email me to enquire about postage/delivery on historywomenbrighton@outlook.com
Hope to hear from some of you soon.
In the meantime, I want to say a huge thank you if you voted for me, came on a walk this year, came on a walk any other year, booked me for anything, or are just reading this blog. It’s the best job ever (even if it’s not really a ‘job’ and I can only do it between day job requirements) finding out the stories of our fantastic local women and talking to you about them. Hopefully more will follow Yet again – and you know what I’m going to say here – WATCH THIS SPACE!
This week I was invited onto Brighton and Hove community radio station Radio Reverb to chat to Melita Dennett on the Tuesday Live in Brighton with Melita Dennett show.
It was a great opportunity to spread the word about my Fearless and Fabulous Women Fringe walks and we ended up talking about where I found the stories of the women I talk about (mainly from flaneuring around the shelves of The Keep Local History Centre and allowing my eye to be caught wantonly by bits and pieces. Which is, incidentally, how I came up with this gem of women’s history:
I mean, a seaweed florist, what’s not to love?) Also, people tell me things. Just the other day, someone asked me if I’d heard of Gertrude Leverkus who used to live in Wilbury Villas. To my shame I hadn’t.
Very, very briefly (hopefully more to follow in a future post) Gertrude (1898 – 1989) was a pioneering German-British architect who was involved in converting properties into flats for women in the 1920s for the Women’s Pioneer Housing Limited. In 1931 she was elected a Fellow of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and was only the second woman allowed to put the initials ‘FRIBA’ after her name. She later worked on the new towns of Crawley and Harlow. I love how links are sometimes thrown up between the women I talk about and I see that Gertrude was involved in the Women’s Provisional Club – a kind of support network for professional women – alongside Brighton’s first female GP and one of my absolute heroes, Dr Louisa Martindale.
Another woman I learnt about in this very same conversation was Elizabeth M Kennedy (1873 – 1957) who became president of the Women’s Engineering Society in 1932 after a distinguished career in the world of machinery manufacturing. In later life she lived in Marine Parade, Brighton.
Melita asked me whether it was easier to find out the stories of women from well-to-do backgrounds. Sadly, this is usually the case. Someone has to write history and the history we have and know is always a collection of stories collated, curated and told by someone or a group of someones, often with an agenda. Until relatively recently, these someones are usually straight, white, moneyed men.
Also, don’t people need time, leisure and connections to make their voices heard?
I did mention that here in Brighton, however, we do have the well-known Martha Gunn.
Martha Gunn,Brighton bather. Oil painting, British School, c1790
I absolutely love this picture, today hanging just outside the Local History Gallery in Brighton Museum.
Martha (1726 – 1815) was very much not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Yet, by her efforts, good ideas and business acumen, she became ‘Queen of the Dippers’, a bathing assistant who dipped women into the sea for their sea-water cure, so successful and coveted she became a sort of emblem of the burgeoning town of Brighton, attracting visitors from far and wide and putting Brighton on the map. Rightfully known today as one of the architects of modern Brighton.
We also have:
Phoebe Hessel (1713 – 1821 – yes, I know, that made her 108). Famously, Phoebe had a long military career, disguised as a man, fighting with the 5th Regiment of Foot, until an unfortunate bayonet wound picked up at the Battle of Fontenoy, led to her being discovered (I’ve written a longer post about Phoebe. Scroll down if you’re interested).
I went on to chat to Melita about how, when you hear the story of a successful man, it’s always worth snooping around to find out who their mother/wife/sister was as there are often some interesting stories there, with women’s contribution/help/good ideas being overshadowed or written out of the official version of events. For example, a woman I talk about in my Hove walk right at the start in St Ann’s Well Gardens is Laura Bayley:
Laura (1862 – 1938) who used to live near Seven Dials, was an accomplished actress, usually working in burlesques and pantomimes. She married Hove film pioneer, George Albert Smith, a huge name in early film, who experimented with techniques such as close-ups and, from the studio he converted from the old pump room in St Ann’s Well Gardens, made landmark early short films. As his wife, Laura played roles in many of them. It’s now believed she also co-produced several. After watching her performances in films such as ‘The Kiss in the Tunnel’ and ‘Mary Jane’s Mishap’ (available on YouTube) it’s clear, however, that her contribution as a comedy actress, her expertise in holding an audience’s attention, and her great charisma are key to the success of the films. Would George Albert Smith now be the great name in early film he is today without Laura’s incredible work? It’s now understood that Laura, so long in the shadow of her husband, directed and wrote films, too. I recommend you take a look at her work. You’ll be spellbound. Laura is also featured in Hove Museum’s cinema gallery.
My interview with Melita is available on line here:
BTW, the non-profit station Radio Reverb is well worth a listen. They have some great shows, speech, music and both, that bring in the whole community – football, Refugee Radio, Brighton Book Club, and more. One I’m really looking forward to listening to later is ‘Currently Off Air’ ‘a mixtape of overlooked, under appreciated, and rediscovered sounds – on the first Sunday of the month at 11pm – midnight. Lots of great music shows too.
So… finally getting to the point of this post at last… My Fearless and Fabulous Women walks for the Brighton Fringe start on Saturday 4th May, beginning with a fully accessible and mainly level stroll around Hove, starting at 10am outside the brilliant Garden Cafe (come early and enjoy one of their brilliant coffees and a cake) in St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove, BN3 1PR
If full please contact me on historywomenbrighton@outlook.com
See some of you there!
I’d like to say thanks to Melita Dennett and also to Ceryl Evans of the Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton for the chat about Gertrude Leverkus and Elizabeth M Kennedy
This year I’m re-entering the Brighton Fringe fray with two women’s history walks – The Fearless and Fabulous Women of Brighton and The Fearless and Fabulous Women of Hove.
“From some of Brighton’s first women doctors to suffragettes, entrepreneurs to entertainers, artists, music-hall stars, and campaigners, Brighton & 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 lttle-known female characters of the city’s past.
If fully booked or you’re booking last minute you can contact me on historywomenbrighton@outlook.com to find out whether there are any spaces for walk-ups.
Dates and times, when and where…
Fearless and Fabulous Women of Brighton
Meet St Nicholas Churchyard, central Brighton – Church Street, BN1 3LI
Sunday mornings at 10am on May 5th, May 12th, May 26th and June 2nd.
Thursday evenings at 6pm on May 9th and May 30th
Please note this isn’t a circular walk. It will finish either in the Lanes or on New Road/Pavilion Gardens. If it’s Sunday morning I recommend stopping for a coffee and a rest in the beautiful Pavilion Gardens cafe afterwards. Lots of other establishments close by.
Fearless and Fabulous Women of Hove
Meet at the Garden Cafe, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Somerhill Road, Hove BN3 1RP
Saturday morning at 10am on May 4th, May 11th, May 25th and June 1st
Tuesday evening at 6pm May 14th
Thursday evening at 6pm May 23rd.
Dogs welcome! Babies welcome! Pushchairs welcome! All welcome!
I recommend buying a coffee from the Garden Cafe beforehand if you come on Saturday morning. It’s a lovely place to sit. Or buy one to bring with you.
Please note this isn’t a circular tour. We will finish in Palmeira Square. Plenty of cafes or pubs around there for snacks and a rest.
Need any more information? Contact me on historyywomenbrighton@outlook.com
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
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.
Lots going on tomorrow at Brighton Museum to celebrate IWD. I will be doing a mini tour of the Royal Pavilion Estate at 12.00. I’ve decided to eschew royalty this year to talk only about working women.  Expect stories about teachers, singers, guitar heroines, the ‘British Josephine Baker’ and Mrs Watts, Brighton’s only Seaweed Florist. Also, if time (I’m going to have to talk really fast to fit all these in) I’ll let you in on the incredible story of the Brighton boot-maker’s daughter who ended up being a king-maker of French politics!
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+.
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.
The only person I’d heard of before visiting the fantastic exhibition ‘Women’s Work: Pioneering Women in Craft, 1918 – 1939’ was Enid Marx. What a joy, then, to stumble upon so many women with local connections who were busy shaping our modern world through craft just after the First World War. And in so many different ways. Take the modernist designers, Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher (below),
for example, whose jazzily designed textiles printed by hand, often using hand blocks, gained the attention – and custom – of Coco Chanel among many others.
Then there are the sumptuous designs of weaver, Alice Hindson, including beautiful bags, textiles, including this dress…
…and some of her student designs…
I also loved the vibrant pottery of Denise Wren, which included quirky, small animals, lamp bases, bright vases, and this ‘pot with “stormy sunset” glaze…
Another happy discovery – the work of Catherine ‘Casty’ Cobb, a pioneering silversmith, whose work often incorporated found objects – i.e. upcycling before the word was invented – and included an unusual cruet set made of ivory shot through with silver pins, as well as this bold, yet very chic necklace…
Quoting from the Ditchling Museum booklet “Respected as teachers as well as makers, the craftswomen were championed by female entrepreneurs and gallery owners and various networks were formed.” This is one of the things that emerged for me from the exhibition – the women weren’t just artists, they were businesswomen. Far from being impoverished artists starving in garrets or suffering for their art, they got on with taking their skills out there, starting successful businesses and producing incredible work – even if it wasn’t going to be as upheld in future years as it should be. Well done to Ditchling Museum for shining a light on these women and helping to give them the recognition they deserve.
What I liked about the exhibition (another thing I liked) was the cards that gave visitors the chance to write down and display the names of other craftswomen who aren’t given the recognition they deserve. This was mine…
Eastbourne’s Tirzah Garwood who so often falls in the shadow of her husband, Eric Ravillious, yet produced spellbinding woodcuts, particularly of people, animals, and domestic scenes. Tirzah deserves a post of her own (and will probably get one as I’m going to be talking about her on Thursday as part of my Pioneering Women of East Sussex talk for one of the Eastbourne WIs). Watch this space.
In the meantime, do go and see ‘Women Work’ in Ditchling to make some fantastic discoveries and learn about some women who should be household names.
It’s on until 13th October and open Tues to Sat 10.30am – 5pm, and Sunday and bank holidays 11.00 – 5pm.
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
historywomenbrighton 