Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

We did it!

Save the last surviving Suffragette tree raised £5,196.38 from 169 supporters

or

Start your own crowdfunding page

Closed 08/11/2022

0%
£5,196
raised of £4,999 target by 169 supporters

    Iʼve raised £5,196 to Save the last surviving Suffragette Tree

    Batheaston, Bath.
    Funded on Tuesday, 8th November 2022

    Don't have time to donate right now?

    Story

    Thank you for visiting our JustGiving page.

    We are asking for funds to ensure that the last surviving Suffragette tree can continue as a living memorial to those exceptional and courageous women who, over 100 years ago, founded a movement that was to change the political, social and cultural situation of women in this country and across the world. This magnificent Austrian Pine is the sole survivor of Annie's Arboretum, a collection of trees planted in the grounds of Eagle House, near Bath, by suffragettes who stayed in the house, often to recuperate from imprisonment for their political actions. While it has been cared for solely by the house owners in whose modest garden it stands, it is now in desperate need of major and costly remedial work.

    When restored, this tree which was planted as a sapling in celebration of the women who fought so hard for universal suffrage, will continue to inspire present and future generations of women and men to work for equality.

    The tree was planted in 1909 by Rose Lamartine-Yates who was imprisoned after she and 28 other women marched on the Houses of Parliament. A life-long suffragette, Lamartine-Yates was key in creating an archive of the movement and founding the Suffrage Fellowship Collection , now in the museum of London. She went on to become a London County councillor and the first women elected to the council of the Cycle Touring Club.

    Rose Lamartine-Yates (on the right) planting the tree on 30th October 1909.

    Annie's Arboretum, or the Suffragette Wood, was created in the grounds of Eagle House from 1909-1912. Around 60 suffragettes planted trees, forty-six of them by women who had been imprisoned for their cause including Annie Kenney (for whom the arboretum was named), Emmeline Pankhurst, Christabel Pankhurst, Millicent Fawcett, Vera ‘Jack’ Holme, Constance Lytton and Winnie Simmons to name a few. Each planting was a special occasion and the women dressed in their finest clothes and wore their honorary WPSU medals to have their photographs taken as a record of the event. Within the four acres site was the Suffragettes' Rest, a place for women to stay, often to recover from the brutalities of imprisonment and forced feeding, find friendship and support, compose and practice speeches, write letters, or simply sit in peace.

    Adela Pankhurst and Annie Kenney by Mrs Pankhurst's tree with the Suffragette's Rest in the background.

    The gradual redevelopment of the Eagle Estate for housing over the next 50 or so years has led to the demise of the arboretum - eventually all but this one tree has been destroyed. It is now a magnificent 113 year old pine, standing over 30 meters high, and so wide that it needs at least 5 women to encircle its trunk! It has become world renowned and regularly attracts visitors from the UK and abroad (The Legacy of the Pine, The Guardian, 2021).

    Although it has a preservation order on it, the financial cost of the tree’s upkeep has been entirely the responsibility of the house holders, Eileen and Keith Paddock, who have been its dedicated caretakers for over 44 years. However, it now needs significant and specialist work to ensure its safety and survival. Over the years, limbs of the tree have broken and fallen off and others are currently fragile and threatening to break. Most worrying is that the crown has become a 'sail' which means that the whole tree is in danger of being badly damaged or even brought down entirely in high winds.

    Annie Kenney, Mary Blathwayt and Emmeline Pankhurst.

    Your contribution will ensure that this living piece of history will flourish for many years to come, so that future generations can continue to draw inspiration in the ongoing struggle for equality across the world, from those who so courageously fought for women's rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We owe them so much.

    Updates

    3

    • Save the last surviving Suffragette tree2 years ago
      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      2 years ago

      Today we are closing the page. The target, has been met thanks to the wonderful support booth donating and spreading the word and the remedial work was carried put last week. Organising this appeal has been a humbling experience as we researched and came into contact with all the previous people who had investigated, written about, campaigned for and kept this living link to women's struggle alive and resonant in our changing world. The generosity of spirit and good will towards the appeal has been as valuable as all the donations. Thanks.

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Save the last surviving Suffragette tree2 years ago
      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      2 years ago

      Good afternoon, a short update to confirm the work will be starting on October the 31st. It will take a team of three four days to do all the necessary work. We met Keith and Eileen this afternoon who are very touched by everyone's generosity and messages. The total cost will be just over £5600, it would be great if people could continue to forward to appeal to get us over the line. Many thanks.

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Save the last surviving Suffragette tree2 years ago
      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

      2 years ago

      We are so pleased with the response and would like to thank all those who have donated and passed the message on. Special thanks to Eileen and Keith, Cath McCarthy, Cynthia Hammond and Dan Brown, Batheaston Forward and Grow Batheaston. The campaign has been featured on or by BBC Radio Bristol, Radio Bath, The Times and the message has travelled around the world. There is now permission to carry out the work and and a fixed price quote, the work will be proceeding and the tree will be given the future it deserves.

      Share this update to help us raise more

    2 years ago

    Save the last surviving Suffragette tree started crowdfunding

    Leave a message of support

    Page last updated on: 11/8/2022 18.45

    Supporters

    169

    • Dominique

      Dominique

      Nov 8, 2022

      What a wonderful thing to do! Thank you Eileen!x

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Nov 7, 2022

    • Kelly Chambers

      Kelly Chambers

      Nov 5, 2022

      Definitely worth saving!

      £20.00

    • Sarah Parry

      Sarah Parry

      Nov 5, 2022

      £25.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Nov 3, 2022

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Nov 2, 2022

    • Northend Neighbours

      Northend Neighbours

      Nov 1, 2022

      We have sympathy at the cost of looking after our planted trees. Good luck with the care of such a magnificent landmark behemoth.

    What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.

    The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.

    Great people make things happen

    Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?

    Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!

    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

    Save the last surviving Suffragette tree

    Batheaston, Bath.

    Report this Page