Talk - Nancy Astor

Chrissie Le Marchant is coming to The PPL on Wednesday 25 November for a talk on Nancy Astor, the first woman to take a seat as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. It's a mid-week afternoon session, starting at 2pm, so it's one of those things you can fit in around your day rather than having to clear an entire evening.

If you've heard the name but don't know the story, Astor (1879–1964) was an American-born politician who represented Plymouth Sutton from 1919 to 1945. That's over two decades in the Commons, and she was the first woman to ever sit there, so she spent a good chunk of her career as a first. The talk looks at her life as a whole, but it keeps its focus on her time here in Plymouth, which is where she spent those years representing the city.

Le Marchant is a South West England Blue Badge Tourist Guide, so she knows the region's history inside out. That's the kind of background that usually means the talk will be more than just a list of dates; she'll be able to place Astor within the actual streets and places of the city, rather than just talking about her in the abstract. If you've ever wondered how much of a mark Astor left on the place, this is where you'll find out.

The talk is at The PPL (Plymouth Proprietary Library) on St Barnabas Terrace, Plymouth PL1 5NN, on Wednesday 25 November at 2pm. It's a daytime slot, so it works well if you're out and about in the city during the week.