From Shropshire’s Kitchens to London’s Streets: The Extraordinary Journey of Violet Ann Bland
Discover the remarkable story of Violet Ann Bland, a Shropshire-born suffragette who rose from kitchen maid to activist, enduring imprisonment and force-feeding in her fight for women’s rights.
Violet Ann Bland’s journey from kitchen maid in Shropshire to suffragette in London illustrates the power of conviction and the pursuit of equality. Born in 1863 in Bayston Hill, Shropshire, Bland’s early life was shaped by the rural landscape and working-class ethos of her home county. As the eldest of nine children born to William Henry Bland, a railway fitter, and his wife Violet, young Annie, as she was known, was destined for a life of service.
From Dudmaston to Defiance
Bland’s formative years were spent at Dudmaston Hall, where she worked as a kitchen maid after leaving school. This grand estate, nestled in the Shropshire countryside, would have been a world away from her modest upbringing in Bayston Hill. The contrast between the lives of the aristocracy and the serving class at Dudmaston likely planted the seeds of social awareness that would later develop into full-fledged activism.
While little is known about Bland’s specific experiences at Dudmaston, the rigid hierarchy and limited opportunities for working-class women in such settings were typical of the era. It’s reasonable to imagine how these early experiences might have fuelled her later passion for women’s rights and social justice.
The Rise of a Businesswoman
Bland’s trajectory from kitchen maid to businesswoman is noteworthy. Within a decade of her time at Dudmaston, she had established herself as a proprietor of furnished accommodation in Cirencester, offering “good cooking” — a skill developed during her time in service. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to acquire three new houses, two of which she rented out, demonstrating a business acumen that would serve her well in her later activism.
By 1905, Bland had elevated her status further, running a Ladies College of Domestic Science in Bristol. This fifteen-bedroom parkland mansion, Henley Grove, offered classes in hygienic cooking, food values, and gymnastics. The transition from servant to educator represents a significant leap in social standing and reflects Bland’s determination to improve her lot in life.
The Awakening of an Activist
It was in Bristol that Bland’s political consciousness truly awakened. She became active in the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the militant wing of the suffragette movement. Henley Grove, now transformed into a boutique hotel, became a hub for suffragette activity. Bland hosted prominent figures of the movement, including Annie Kenney, Lettice Floyd, and Mary Blathwayt.
Her involvement with the WSPU marked a turning point in Bland’s life. No longer content with personal success, she turned her attention to the broader struggle for women’s rights. In August 1909, she organised a fundraising reception to honour suffragette hunger strikers, demonstrating her commitment to the cause and her willingness to use her resources to support it.
London Calling: Escalation of Activism
In 1910, Bland sold her Bristol property and moved to London, where she continued her career as a hotelier, running a guest house at 22 Old Burlington Street. This move coincided with an intensification of her suffragette activities. In November 1910, she was arrested during the ‘Black Friday’ march on Parliament. Although she was discharged without prosecution, this event marked her first direct confrontation with the authorities.
The year 1912 saw Bland’s activism reach new heights. During a demonstration, she was arrested for throwing a rock through the windows of the Commercial Cable Company in Northumberland Avenue. This act of civil disobedience resulted in a four-month prison sentence, a pivotal moment in Bland’s suffragette career.
The Horrors of Force-Feeding
Bland’s imprisonment at HM Prison Aylesbury became a crucible of suffering and resistance. Like many suffragettes, she refused prison food as a form of protest. The authorities responded with the practice of force-feeding. Bland’s account of this experience, published in ‘Votes for Women’, provides a chilling insight into the ordeal:
“They twisted my neck, jerked my head back, closing my throat, held all the time as in a vice. I gasped for breath, and suffered tortures mentally lest the food which they were trying to pour down my throat should go into my lungs… They expect, and try, to perform the whole operation in two minutes. There were always six or seven to one, so that there was really no possibility of the victim doing much in the way of protesting…therefore no excuse for the brutality shown on several occasions.”
This vivid description highlights the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on suffragettes and underscores Bland’s courage in enduring such treatment for her beliefs.
Recognition and Continued Struggle
For her fortitude in prison, Bland received a Hunger Strike Medal and commendation from Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragette movement. This recognition from the movement’s figurehead was a testament to Bland’s dedication and sacrifice.
Despite the trauma of her imprisonment, Bland’s commitment to the cause remained unshaken. She continued to use her guest house in London as a base for suffragette activities, hosting discussions with sympathisers such as Arthur Conan Doyle. Her activism extended beyond the suffrage movement; during World War I, she was involved in a fund to provide aid for Serbian soldiers and prisoners.
Family and Legacy
Bland’s activism had a significant impact on her personal life. In 1915, at the age of 52 and unmarried, she took on the responsibility of fostering five of her sister’s orphaned children. This act of familial devotion demonstrates that her capacity for care extended beyond political causes to her immediate family.
The reaction of Bland’s family to her activism is not well-documented, but the fact that her descendants have been proud to share her story, photographs, medals, and letter of commendation suggests a level of support and admiration. The eldest of the children she fostered, Richard, became the father of economists Eamonn Butler and Stuart Butler, indicating that Bland’s influence extended to future generations.
The Lasting Impact of Imprisonment
Bland’s imprisonment and force-feeding left a mark on her life. Her vivid accounts of the experience, published in ‘Votes for Women’, contributed to the public’s understanding of the brutality faced by suffragettes. These testimonies played a role in garnering sympathy for the movement and exposing the harsh tactics employed by the authorities.
The physical and emotional toll of her ordeal likely had long-lasting effects. However, rather than breaking her spirit, it seems to have strengthened her resolve. After her release, Bland continued her activism, albeit in less militant forms, focusing on education and support for the cause.
Shropshire Roots and National Impact
Throughout her life, Violet Ann Bland never forgot her Shropshire roots. Her journey from a kitchen maid at Dudmaston Hall to a figure in the suffragette movement is a source of pride for the county. Bland’s story exemplifies the contribution of working-class women to the suffrage cause, challenging the notion that it was solely a middle-class movement.
Her experiences in Shropshire, from her birth in Bayston Hill to her time at Dudmaston, laid the foundation for her later activism. The contrast between the grand estates where she worked and her humble beginnings likely informed her understanding of social inequality and the need for change.
A Life of Principle and Progress
Violet Ann Bland’s life was characterised by a progression from servitude to activism. Her journey reflects the broader social changes occurring in Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From her early days in Shropshire to her final years in London, Bland consistently demonstrated resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to women’s rights.
Her story is not just one of personal achievement but of societal transformation. Bland’s activism contributed to the eventual success of the suffrage movement, with women over 30 gaining the right to vote in 1918, and all women over 21 in 1928. She lived to see these changes, passing away in 1940 at the age of 76.
Violet Ann Bland’s legacy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by suffragettes and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs. Her journey from a Shropshire kitchen to the forefront of the women’s rights movement is an inspiration, demonstrating that profound change can come from unexpected places.
Bob Lynn / 28-Sep-2024
