Stop Press: The best books on women's history that inspired me
Why am I passionate about these books? I am a feminist author, having written about women's history for nearly half a century. Living in Oldham, I began researching the history of the radical suffragists across industrial Lancashire. Later, moving across the Pennines to Halifax, I learnt of Anne Lister – and became gripped by her diaries. Read more
Book Events: spring/summer 2025
These events programme showcase both Anne Lister and Votes for Women.
The Anne Lister Festival 2025 runs from Saturday 29 March to Sunday 6 April, with events in Halifax and across Calderdale. In May, my focus swerves to Votes for Women – as the centenary is already looming of women winning equal political rights in 1928. And given the intrepid campaigns by both suffragettes and radical suffragists, it's never too early to celebrate this heroically fought victory.
March 2025
Sunday 30: Anne Lister: what she inherited and what she bequeathed. 10.30.
A short Calderdale Heritage Walk round the Shibden estate nearest to the Hall. Judge for yourself how Anne Lister transformed her inheritance – and how her legacy subsequently benefitted Calderdale.
Meet Jill Liddington at the Shibden Hall front entrance (by the blue plaque) at 10.30. This circular walk ends at noon. Then you have a choice: if you have pre-booked a ticket, you can explore inside the magnificent Hall. However, most walkers opt to browse the Shibden shop and its excellent range of Anne Lister books; we then move to a quiet Shibden cottage to enjoy a cup of tea, Q&A and discussion.
Tickets (£6) available here. Pre-booking essential.
April 2025
Wednesday 2: As Good As A Marriage? What the Anne Lister diaries reveal. ALHQ, Northgate House, Halifax HX1 1UR, 4 pm – 5.30.
As Good As A Marriage (MUP, 2023) reveals the Anne Lister diaries 1836-38. Together with her letters, these record her life with Ann Walker as they lived together at Shibden Hall after their 'marriage' at Goodramgate church, York.
Join us as we explore Anne and Ann's daily lives – from convivial evenings together at the Shibden fireside plus social visits out in their carriage, to their tensions and quarrels. Was their relationship really as fragile as Anne's coded writing suggests? And how does their dissident relationship compare with conventional heterosexual marriage then? Join Jill to find out more about this lesbian marriage as documented firsthand in the diaries!
Tickets (£14.50) include a glass of wine or soft drink. Books will be on sale at the event, which Jill will be happy to sign for you.
Pre-booking essential. Book here
May 2025
Saturday 3: Anne Lister Live [ALBW Live].
Pat Esgate, ALBW chief organizer, interviews Jill Liddington, historian and author, on Zoom. Further details follow shortly.
Sunday 4: Women and the Campaign for Democracy. Time: 2 pm. Venue: Hebden Bridge Trades Club. Votes for Women: details to follow.
Saturday 17: Suffragettes and Slaves. 12 noon, Skircoat Green, Halifax.
A 3½ hour walk led by Jill Liddington & David Glover, visiting the homes of Halifax's own nest of suffragettes. Our route crosses Savile Park, then goes along Queens Road and down Pellon Lane to the Mechanics' Institute. Here, in 1911, Emmeline Pankhurst passionately urged women – all voteless – to boycott the Liberal government's census.
Pre-booking essential. Tickets £6 available here
Tickets will be available from 14th April.