Catherine Blair’s life story: founder of “the rural” and most active suffragette.

The Society is delighted to present this talk by Dr Hanita Ritchie at 2.30 PM, Saturday 9th November, 2024.

Please note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Haddington
Dr. Hanita Ritchie is the Local History Officer with East Lothian Council’s Library Service. She provides consultation for genealogy, house history, and local heritage research projects. Hanita is a committee member of the Local Studies Scotland professionals and is part of Imperial War Museum’s Subject Specialist Network. Hanita also produces the ‘Haddingtonshire Histories’ podcast. Her favourite topics are women’s history, old cinemas, and ethnic minorities in Scotland.

Catherine Blair is not a very well-known figure in Scottish women’s history of the early 20th century. Born in 1972 in Bathgate, she married farmer Thomas Blair of Hoprig Mains Farm, near Gladsmuir. Whilst not a particularly militant suffragette, with the support of her husband, she turned Hoprig Mains Farm into a clandestine refuge for Scottish suffragette prisoners once released.

This talk will highlight Catherine Blair’s family background, activities as suffragist, and how she founded the SWRI. Attendees are also welcome to share their experiences or connections to the “Rural”.

For any enquiries contact Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk

Non members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated