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Leah Manning’s Legacy: Cambridge, Women’s Rights, and Spanish Refugees
5 December, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
A companion talk to our exhibition ‘Educating Cambridge’, join Peter Cunningham as he discusses the legacy and life of Leah Manning.
An outstanding personality born in 1886, Leah Manning came to Cambridge in 1906 to train as a teacher at Homerton College. She caught the attention of Principal Mary Allan who persuaded her to teach at the ‘Cambridge Ragged School’ (founded 1854) in New Street, a building now housing Anglia Ruskin’s Music Therapy Department. She is now remembered there by a Blue Plaque, for her “pioneering struggle” as a “lifelong champion” of women’s and children’s causes. Homerton College is also recorded as funding renovation of the Ragged School.
Miss Allan and other Homertonian women joined the suffragette movement. Leah herself was politically active as a member of the Fabian Society in Cambridge and aligned with trade unions and the Social Democratic Federation to support the emergent Labour Party. Leah herself in 1919 became Cambridge Chair of the National Federation of Women Workers, campaigning against low pay and conditions of female ‘bedders’ in colleges. She went on to be one of the first women Labour MPs for Islington East, and after World War 2, she won Winston Churchill’s former seat as MP for Epping.
Meanwhile, as a campaigner against the Spanish Civil War, in 1937 she used her political skill and experience to persuade the British government to provide a ship for evacuation of 3,888 children from Bilbao following the bombardment of Guernica. She then oversaw the placement of these evacuees in various parts of the UK. A plaque can be seen on a house in Station Road, Cambridge, where Jesus College accommodated 29 Basque refugee children.
About the Speaker
Peter Cunningham studied at Cambridge 1967-’70 focusing on history and history of art, followed by a year in Norwich at UEA and research at Leeds University. Increasingly interested in education through art, he engaged in teacher education at Westminster College, Oxford, taught at primary schools in Oxford and Leicester, before returning to teacher education in Cambridge at Homerton College.
A recent collaborative book with Catherine Burke and Lottie Hoare is:
Education through the Arts for Well-Being and Community:
The Vision and Legacy of Sir Alec Clegg
with contributions by Clegg’s nephew Sir David Attenborough,
and the late Sir Tim Brighouse, inspirational educationist, to whom I owe much.
Book now:
Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £7, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £6 for Adults, £4.50 for Students/Jobseekers). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.
NOTE: Eventbrite has changed its set up and now only allows one ‘donate as you feel’ ticket per purchase. Please kindly book tickets separately per email; the same email can be used.
Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography
Please note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
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