Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy

Congleton was the home and workplace of one of the most prominent suffragists in England. Her name was Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy. She was so important, and well connected to the other prominent activists such as the Pankhursts, that her name appears on the recent statue to Millicent Fawcett that was erected in Parliament Square to honour the Suffragist movement. It’s a story of our time that until a relatively few years ago Elizabeth’s importance was not even widely known amongst the people of her home town. It was not until a book was written by Maureen Wright, and then the local Civic Society placed a blue plaque on the house where she lived, that Elizabeth’s story became more widely heard. Following on from this, several events have taken place locally to celebrate Elizabeth’s life, and a group of supporters know as The Elizabeth Group put on informative and costumed events. One such event would have taken place this year, however they have put together a video, which we are hosting. It is hoped that the money will soon be raised for a permanent statue to Elizabeth to be erected here in Congleton.