Containing over 200 recipes, household tips and hints donated by suffragists from across the UK including such well-known campaigners as Helena Swanwick and Millicent Fawcett, this title is a faithful reproduction of a book originally published in 1912 by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) to raise funds for the cause. It features a foreword by Polly Russell, Curator for Contemporary Politics and Public Life at the British Library, who is the lead curator on the British Library exhibition, ‘Unfinished Business: The Fights for Women’s Rights’, due to open in April 2020.

Enjoy hearty wholesome meals courtesy of the foot soldiers of the Women’s Suffrage movement. The recipes in this book cover every meal of the day, as well as sections on vegetarian dishes, beverages and preserves. Choose between a Curry contributed by Mrs Julian Osler from Edgbaston, Cauliflower Soufflé sent in by Miss Mildred Martineau of Esher, Eggs à la Suisse contributed by Mrs Gerard Dowson of Radcliffe-on- Trent, and Madeira Marmalade supplied by Miss Ethel Jacobs of Hull.

There is also a section of miscellaneous hints and tips that cover all manner of things from recipes to making furniture polish or a tincture for soothing burns, to getting rid of moths in carpets or an infestation of ants. The book ends with a section on ‘Menus for Meals for Suffrage Workers’ with a selection of dishes that ‘must be simple and such as can be eaten quickly, and also … which will keep hot without spoiling and can be eaten with impunity at any hour’.

As a snapshot of history and a very useful resource for simple homemade meals, this book is a rare treat.

Author: Compiled by Mrs Aubrey Dowson, with foreward by Polly Russell

Brand: British Library Publishing

Number of pages: 80 pages

Binding: Hardback

Dimensions: 200 x 160 mm