Archivist Eve Bickerton from Somerset Archives describes some of the fascinating stories about rural women soon to be featured in the Rural Women archive display, within Weston super Mare Library.
We are delighted to be bringing another pop-up exhibition to Weston super Mare Library as part of our ongoing much-loved North Somerset Archives Service. Following on from the success of our Weston themed display last year, this year we are celebrating the stories of rural women.
What is International Day of Rural Women?
International Day of Rural Women recognises the role and contribution of women in enhancing rural development. Throughout history women have played a pivotal role in the development of Somerset through agriculture, science and technology, and the economy. So Somerset Archives has taken the opportunity to acknowledge the daily contributions of women in keeping rural communities together and functioning, in sometimes challenging circumstances.
Stories on Display
One story we have highlighted is that of Emily Collins Coombes and her aunt, Mary Kingston. Between them, they were postmistress and ran the village stores in Goathurst during times of significant cultural and social change in the late 19th and early 20th century. As described in some of the documents in our exhibition, under their supervision the post office saw the introduction of deliveries on bicycle and later by motor transport, and saw the introduction of the telegraphy and telephone.
At times, rural communities can feel isolated from larger towns and cities. The post office and village store will have been a central part of the Goathurst community, connecting residents to other localities for social interactions, family news and business and commerce too.
Another story we have chosen to explore is that of women in agriculture, particularly in the early 20th century. The Dickinson family originally lived in Kent, and later moved to Kilve. An incredibly creative family, their collection is littered with beautiful illustrations, watercolours and sketches. On display in our pop-up exhibition will be photographs showing Violet and her siblings and friends running the farm during the First World War. The atmosphere captured in the photographs is one of hard work, but fun and joy in the outdoors. A number of the documents we’ve chosen to display show the contributions of women to keeping the ‘home fires burning’ during the First and Second World Wars, including documents relating to the Women’s Land Army.
Of course, a pop-up exhibition cannot do justice to the many and varied roles of women in their rural communities. It has however, given us the opportunity to share some lesser told stories, and to celebrate the seemingly everyday contributions of women, without which rural localities would struggle. The thread of the contributions of women runs throughout our collections, but the excitement lies in providing opportunities to share them and celebrate them, through events like this.
Visit the Display
Discover the stories of Somerset women in this free, pop-up display in Weston-Super-Mare Library, on Tuesday 15 October 2024. Find out more.