1 The Grandchildren had a lovely time in the ball-park and Grand-baby T proved to be quite a climber.
Climbing
2 J had fun discovering what his lung capacity might be. The experiment was in one of his books and proved to be great fun to do.
Experiment
3 KJ and I went to see Oxygen, a new play by Natalie McGrath, in Penzance this evening. It was wonderful, moving and totally involving. Many of you who read my blog know that my Great Granny, Granny Wiseman, was a Suffragette who was imprisoned in Holloway and force fed and that we have her Holloway Brooch in the family. I have been brought up to be very proud of her.
Tonight, I am completely overwhelmed by what she and others did to win the vote for women. It is one thing to be told family history, to read novels and non-fiction, but to see it brought alive on stage was something else indeed. I wept in the knowledge that my Great Granny went through this barbaric treatment for her beliefs. If you are anywhere where this play is being performed, do go and see it! The music is moving, the acting superb and the story, beautifully told, one everyone should know.
Venues through the Southwest and all the way up to Hyde Park can be found here.
Holloway brooch
mixedupmeme
July 5, 2013 at 9:59 am
I had missed that your great granny was part of this history. Yes, when it is personal there is so much more meaning. Reading about historical events is one thing……but we sometimes forget that these courageous deeds and actions were really happening and often very painful.
And in many places around the world causes are still being fought and often with unhappy consequences.
I am sure this march was inspiring to many.
mybeautfulthings
July 5, 2013 at 1:20 pm
I think the play is spreading the word as it moves up-country. It’s in Exeter today and then moving ever closer to London. I wish it were going in your direction too. 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
June 21, 2013 at 9:31 pm
I love that there is so much history evident in this brooch 🙂
Lovely!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Brooke's Sister
June 21, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Seeing a play depicting what life was like for a family member sounds powerful. Absolutely amazing what she went through.
mybeautfulthings
June 22, 2013 at 10:47 am
It was indeed. It really showed me what happened in such a graphic way. Thank you for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂
Marilyn Griffin
June 21, 2013 at 9:40 am
such history to pass down to you…proud…I would be so proud…
mybeautfulthings
June 21, 2013 at 9:46 am
I am – and even more so after last night’s performance. 🙂
david wheeler
June 21, 2013 at 8:26 am
Oxygen was indeed very well done and moving. It was a privilege to sit next to you at this performance. I could tell that you found the prison scenes in particular very emotional. A very thought provoking evening.
mybeautfulthings
June 21, 2013 at 9:45 am
Thank you for coming in to comment. Yes, I was very moved. I found the scene where the 23 year old was describing her experience almost unbearable as I began to realise exactly what my Great Granny had done.
I found it very thought provoking too, about today as much as about 1913.
Don
June 21, 2013 at 8:08 am
What a joy and privilege to see that brooch. Is there significance to the shape?
mybeautfulthings
June 21, 2013 at 9:43 am
It represents the portcullis at Holloway prison and the flashes are the motif used on prison uniforms but here enamelled in the Suffragette colours of purple (dignity), white(purity) and green (hope).
I’ve only seen it once as it went down the female line to my father’s sister, her daughter (my cousin) and now to her daughters. I am hoping to find a jewellery maker who could make me a replica.
Heidi @ lightlycrunchy
June 21, 2013 at 12:55 am
The play sounds interesting – I love to see stage plays. And it’s wonderful that you have a piece with such history behind it in your family.
john zande
June 20, 2013 at 10:59 pm
The brooch is a magnificent idea.