Woolly tribute for Bilston statue to mark suffragette movement anniversary
A STATUE in Bilston has been kitted out in a very fitting outfit to mark 100 years since women were given the vote.
Members of Bilston Yarn Stars have been busy knitting in purple, green and white to decorate the the Women's Work statue, in the High Street area of the town.
The figure, which commemorates the impoverished women working in the 19th century coal and iron industries of the Black Country, has been given a splash of colour in the form of a sash reading "votes for women - 100 years" to celebrate the suffragette milestone.
Liane Powell, a member of Bilston Yarn Stars for nearly four years said although the decoration went up just yesterday, it had already caught the eyes of a few passers by.
She said: "We do different places in the town at different times, like Christmas so we thought this would be a good opportunity.
"We're doing the upcoming royal wedding too in May, and something for November as well to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
"We had a few people come and have a look - we usually get a lot of support.
"It'll stay up for as long as it can - until it looks a bit grubby!"
The Representation of the People Act was passed 100 years to the date yesterday, on February 6 1918, and tributes have been organised all across the country. Women aged over 30, who were married, were given the vote first, and in the months to come more acts were passed to allow women to stand for parliament, and to allow younger women to vote.
Bilston Yarn Stars are always on the hunt for more wool donations. Anyone who can help can call Liane on 07391 139987.
