We are delighted to report that the application has been agreed, very appropriately on 26 February just before International Women’s Day on 8th March. There was a great deal of public interest in the application and many letters of support and we are so grateful for that. See the comments at https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=T6QV3XDM0K500

In particular we have been very thankful for the support of local business people who are eager to be part of this historic road’s regeneration. Also for the support of councillors, local members of parliament and numerous council officers who have worked with great professionalism to help. We thank them for their understanding.

This is an accessible site close to the historic buildings where so many suffrage meetings were held and in sight of the Royal Pavilion, which hosted many suffragette meetings including Mary’s own memorial meeting after her death. We chose the site following advice from Brighton & Hove

City Council Heritage Planners and Highways Engineers and discussion with Cllr Jacob Taylor, as well as further consultation with key local trusts and businesses. We are very grateful to them all.

We recognise that there were two or three objections to our application, mostly focussed on road safety and fear of vandalism. We understand these concerns. We are well aware there have been problems of anti-social behaviour in this road and also unsafe movement of traffic – often through the area designated for street furniture, where this statue would be sited. However, we are confident there are effective ways to address these challenges. 

We are committed to continuing to work with the City Council and local businesses to find solutions to any problems. In commons with the many individuals and institutions that supported us, we firmly believe that the statue will play a crucial role in ongoing plans to both regenerate the road and make it safe. 

In her comments on the application, local Ward Councillor Ellen McLeay, stressed the links between commemorating Mary – who was a survivor of domestic abuse as well as a victim of state violence – and Council policy. Ellen McLeay wrote:

“The ethos behind this statue aligns with commitments

already made by Brighton & Hove City Council to support women and girls. This includes the ambition to become the UK capital of women and girls’ sport and BHCC’s work to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by 50% over the next decade. At a time when women’s rights are being undermined in many parts of the world, commemorating the struggle that secured women the vote in the UK feels especially important.”

“With a female-led council, including both the Leader and the Chief Executive, this statue reflects the democratic principles at the heart of our city. It represents the 50% whose voices went unheard for far too long.”

The Appeal still needs to raise a further £35,000, but we can write about that another day. 

For now all we want to do is to say thank you to everyone. Thank you so much.

Jean Calder, Chair of Trustees

walked around the city and almost everywhere I have gone I’ve remembered Valerie there.

Valerie was a community activist of extraordinary commitment and belonged to a huge number of local groups. In Brighton & Hove it’s hard to meet anyone who did not know her. 

She was well known as a welfare rights adviser, a student organiser,  a peace campaigner and a health activist. In my mind’s eye I can see her now: teaching English in the Jubilee Library; setting the world to rights with friends in the Italian cafe; leafleting with peace campaigners on the Old Steine; demonstrating for the NHS in front of the County Hospital; running a stall in Brunswick Square; attending a meeting at the Unemployed Centre; jumping up to ask awkward questions in the Friends Centre; or pitching up at the Regency Town House for a meeting of the Women’s History Group with purple hair and a huge mischievous grin. I remember her as I saw her last, on a

sunny September Saturday, helping us petition for the Mary Clarke Statue in the Pavilion Gardens. Nothing could stop her, until cancer did.

She was a founder member of the Brighton & Hove Women’s History Group and one of its most avid campaigners for suffragette plaques.

She was there at the Brighton Centre on 18th November 2018 when we launched the campaign to get a statue for Mary Clarke. She was one of the Appeal’s most committed supporters. 

I knew her best as a campaigner for women’s rights and I suspect this is what mattered most to her. She was passionate about the need to commemorate women and celebrate their achievements. Like Mary Clarke, Valerie was a ‘late developer’, attending university as a mature student with huge success. Like her great friend, the local historian Val Brown, she was horrified by the loss of women’s history. That was why she campaigned so hard for blue plaques for women, especially for local suffragettes.

I remember once complaining to her that so many

obituaries are written for men and so few by and for women. She agreed and we joked that we should set up a group so we could all write our own.

We never did, but there’s no need for dear Valerie. We will not forget her. 

Jean Calder (19/10/2025)

Please also see an article about Valerie written with her input on 1st May 2024 for the Argus by Andy Winter, who is one of our Trustees.

Valerie Mainstone: a campaigner who remains a true colossus

11th October at the Brighton Centre, attended by 2,400 women.  As a direct result we raised over £1250 in individual donations. We are so grateful to FiLiA for the platform it gave us.

Our Chair Jean Calder was invite to speak for 10 minutes in the opening session, just after Katy Bourne, Sussex

Police and Crime Commissioner, who opened the conference, followed by Jenny Stroud and Sue Delafons of the wonderful Brighton & Hove Women’s History Group.

Jean Calder said: “It was nerve-wracking speaking to such a huge audience, but it seemed to go well. There was a great deal of interest at our stall from women from all over the country – and the world. We spoke to women from from Devon to Corby and the north of Scotland, and from Australia to Canada and the DR Congo. Mary’s story fascinated them. Several said they were moved to tears by her courage and the fact she’d been forgotten. We believe the statue will be a huge draw to international visitors. Several promised they would come back to see it.”

FiLiA is a charity operating across many countries which campaigns, it says, “for a world free from patriarchy where all women and girls are liberated.” The people attending the conference heard from 250 speakers from around the world. In a series of talks and workshops, there was discussion of a range of topics affecting women – from maternity rights and birth defects due to industrial pollution, through to rape in war and all forms of sexual and domestic violence (or as some speakers called it ‘state-torture’ and ‘non-state torture’). The primary focus was on how to combat violence against women and girls.

In that regard, it was disappointing to witness each morning aggressive noisy protesters hurling abuse at the women going in to the Centre. They did not succeed in disrupting the conference and thanks are due for this to FiLiA personnel, Brighton Centre staff and officers of Sussex Police.

We are very grateful to FiLiA. Its remarkable work largely relies on the work of volunteers.  We know how difficult that can be, especially in such challenging times.

We are delighted that Jean Calder, Chair of Trustees, has been asked to speak in the Founders’ Room at the Dome at 1.00pm on Thursday 23rd March. The theme will be “Mary Clarke, the Dome and the Suffrage Struggle”.

This event follows last November’s very successful talk at the Jubilee Library. The focus of that event was on remembrance, but this talk is intended to be a part of our celebrations for Women’s History Month. Many people know that 8th March is International Women’s Day. However, few, at least in this country, know that, internationally, the whole of March is celebrated as Women’s History Month. 

Along with other local women’s organisations, including the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the Women’s Centre and the Women’s History Group, we are trying to raise the profile of this heritage month and encourage our city to do more to celebrate women’s history.

WHG Talk at the Library Tuesday 7th March.

We are grateful for the ongoing and unstinting support of the B&H Women’s History Group. On 7th March at 5.30-6.30pm members of the B&H Women’s History Group will be leading a talk at the Jubilee Library on the theme  “Unsung Heroines of Brighton and Hove”,  where they will present short cameos of some of the women the group have been researching, and will invite the audience to talk about women from their past. We think it will be a wonderful evening. 

You may remember that the magazine Sussex Life previously featured an article about Mary Clarke to celebrate Women’s History Month. We are delighted that this year Sussex Life is highlighting the work of the WHG. 

International Women’s Day Stall on Saturday 11th March.

IWD is on 8th March. However, the day is being celebrated at 10.00 – 4.00 on Saturday 11th March with stalls and events. The Dome usually hosts these events, but due to works, on this occasion does not have the space. We will have a stall at the Unitarian Church in New Road. Do please come to see us.   

The staff at the Jubilee Library invited us to help mark the United Nation’s annual  International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which takes place on 25th November. The day launches the UN’s annual 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violenceto combat violence against women and girls. This ends on the 10th December, Human Rights Day. The United Nation’s global theme for 2022’s 16 Days of Activism is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

The library staff have kindly agreed to display our maquette of Mary in the Foyer to the Library and it will remain there from 7th November through to early December. From 25th November, the beautiful hand-embroidered banner of Mary Clarke, which was made for us by Jenny Engledow, will be on display in the library in a prominent position. We hope it will remain there for the full 16 Days of Activism.

We note that November is the month of remembrance. It starts with All Souls Day, on the 2 November, when, traditionally, the Christian church remembers the dead. As the month goes on, we mark Remembrance Sunday, commemorating those who have died

in war and conflict. Then each year on 25 November the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women launches the worldwide 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence to combat violence against women and girls.

We in the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal remember all women and girls who have died by violence in recent years and in the past. In particular, we remember the terrible events of “Black Friday” on 18th November 1910, when so many suffragettes were brutalised as they attempted to petition Parliament. We recall that it was almost certainly on that day that Mary Clarke received the head injuries that on Christmas Day 1910 led to her death by brain haemorrhage. Mary was the first of three women to die as a result of injuries that day. We remember them – and others (women and men) who have died in their struggle for freedom and democracy.

Please come if you can.

The letter was written in response to an article by A.N.Wilson who proposed an equestrian statue of the late Queen, but also criticised the quality of some recent royal statues. Jean pointed out that Denise Dutton is an excellent sculptor of both female
figures and horses. Her letter read as follows:

”Dear Sir/Madam,

A.N Wilson proposes (1st October) a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth on horseback and regrets the lack of a sculptor adequate to the task of making it.

May I suggest Denise Dutton, who is a consummate sculptor of female figures and horses. See, for example, her statues of Annie Kenney in Oldham, Mary Anning in Lyme Regis and the Land Girl and Lumber Jill in the National Arboretum – also  the magnificent statue in Thetford of the Maharajah Duleep Singh on horseback.

Ms Dutton has also designed the proposed statue of suffragette Mary Clarke in Brighton.

Yours faithfully, etc.”

sportswomen. Izzy focusses on hockey, while Sophia prefers netball and, in particular, cricket. Sophia plays cricket for the Brighton College boys first team.

The sisters are seasoned campaigners, with a particular interest in commemorating the lives of women who have no local memorial. While working on a school project about the Victorians, they came across tombstones in their local graveyard for Helena Normanton and Sophia Jex-Blake, inspirational women who fought to allow women to practice Law and Medicine. 

The girls thought it odd that Helena and Sophia were not commemorated in the city. They were surprised to discover that less than a quarter of Brighton’s blue plaques commemorate women and that some of these only refer to women as “wife”, “daughter” or “mistress” of men. 

The sisters began a local campaign for plaques for Helena Normanton and Sophia Jex-Blake, and were delighted that their applications received approval from the Council. They sought the support of Jean Calder, the Chair of our Appeal, and so learned about Mary Clarke, another inspirational ‘forgotten’ woman. 

They are now enthusiastic Child Ambassadors and are excited and proud to be involved in fundraising for, and promoting, the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal. Meanwhile, they plan to unveil the blue plaque for Helena Normanton in 2022, the 100 year anniversary of her admission to the bar. 

Izzy said: “Mary Clarke did so much for women’s rights – the least we can do is honour her with a statue. It will be educational for Brighton & Hove school children, both boys and girls, to learn more about her.”

Sophia said: “It has been so interesting to learn about the inspiring Mary Clarke and the sacrifice she made over a hundred years ago. It helped open up so many opportunities – all of us girls and women owe her so much!”

Jean Calder said: “ We are so pleased that Sophia and Isabel have joined the Appeal as Child Ambassadors. We are full of admiration for their plaque campaign and are sure that everyone involved in the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal will be cheering them on when the plaque for Helena Normanton is unveiled later this year. In the meanwhile, we hope to harness their commitment, energy and enthusiasm in our campaign for Mary’s statue.”

Ambassador. She is River Isaac who is 8 years old and in year four at Balfour Primary School in Brighton.

We first came across River during lockdown at the height of the pandemic, when she and her mother Paula contacted our chosen sculptor Denise Dutton to ask if she could help with an online art lesson about the proposed sculpture. River had read an article about Mary Clarke during the Christmas holidays and wanted to know more about her. This led to an online interview with Denise Dutton and Jean Calder led by River’s class teacher Nick Huxley which was played to the class, all of whom were working from home. River also put together a PowerPoint presentation for the class.

River’s interest in the suffragettes is not new. Two years ago, River attended a class trip to Preston Manor at which the children were encouraged to dress up as Victorian or Edwardian servants. River dressed as a suffragette rather than a maidservant because she wanted to highlight the importance of women’s struggle to vote.

When the maquette of Mary was first displayed at the Jubilee Library, River was  amongst the first to view it, along with her mother Paula and sisters Esther and Kitty. Over the summer, River and her family supported fundraising events the Appeal held in the Pavilion Gardens – even in pouring rain. 

Jean Calder, who is the Appeal’s Chair of Trustees, said: “River has demonstrated her ability to influence others for the good. She has a thirst for knowledge, a love of outdoor activities and, young as she is, a track record of supporting local charities. We have been struck by her passion for women’s rights and equality, her enthusiasm to learn about the suffrage struggle and her keenness to inform others about it. This is why we asked her to be our first Child Ambassador. We are so glad she agreed.”

River says she has been inspired by the design of the statue, which, amongst other things, has a lamp placed at Mary’s feet and quotes local suffragette leader Isabella McKeown’s instruction to the grief-stricken women at Mary’s 1911 memorial service in the Royal Pavilion “not to mourn” but to “take the torch from her and light the darkness…”.

River said: “I want to be a part of the  Appeal.  Mary Clarke was the first suffragette so brave that she died for women’s right to vote. I think she deserves a statue to remember her. I want to pick up the lamp depicted in the statue, that Mary has laid down. I want to take it up and continue girls’ and women’s fight for equality.”

The trustees hope River’s appointment will encourage others to take up this role. They hope to appoint ambassadors in as many schools as possible, to raise awareness of Mary Clarke and the local suffragette movement, encourage related educational activities and spark discussion about women’s rights and democracy.

It seems that Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary and Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary plans to back a proposal from the Common Sense Group of Conservative M.P.s that local authorities erect (and fund) civic statues to all holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross (Daily Telegraph 24th January 2021). Admirable and worthy as these individuals are, they are almost exclusively male and in the main already well commemorated.

Jean  Calder, Chair of Trustees for the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal, wrote on 6th February 2021 to Sally-Ann Hart M.P. for Hastings and Rye, expressing concern at the exclusion of worthy women from public memorials. As well as being one of our Sussex M.P.s, Sally-Ann is also a member of the Common Sense Group.

Jean Calder wrote, in almost identical terms, on 9th February 2021 to  Oliver Dowden M.P., copying that letter to Robert Jenrick M.P..

Jean has not yet had a response from Oliver Dowden or Robert Jenrick, but heard very promptly from Sally-Ann Hart, who wrote on 9th February 2021: “I am grateful that you contacted me about the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal and I wholly sympathise with your

endeavours.“. She added “I will raise the issue with the Common Sense group. I am aware of the need to commemorate women who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much for our country.” She later copied Jean’s letter to Sir John Hayes M.P., who chairs the Common Sense Group.

Jean Calder’s Letter on behalf of the Appeal to Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE, MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, dated 10th February 2021 (copied to Robert Jenrick M.P. the Communities Secretary)

The Daily Telegraph reported (24th January 2021) that Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary and Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary plan to back a proposal from the Common Sense Group of Conservative M.P.s that local authorities erect (and fund) statues to all holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross. It didn’t take long for women’s organisations to point out that such a scheme would exclude women.

Jean  Calder’s letters of 6th February 2021 on behalf of the Appeal to Sally-Ann Hart M.P. for Hastings and Rye and member of the Common Sense Group and also Oliver Dowden M.P., the Culture Secretary, are reported in a  separate item on this website.

Several groups campaigning for statues of women have pointed out that soldiers are already well commemorated and that it is the contribution of women which has largely gone unrecorded. Terri Bell Halliwell of inVISIBLEwomen, who is a valued supporter of this Appeal, wrote to Sir John Hayes M.P, the Chair of the Common Sense Group, on the 15th February 20121, copying her letter to the Culture Secretary and national media, saying this scheme will the increase the “imbalance” in civic statues. Her letter, which is reproduced in full below, was reported on 17th February 2021 in the Guardian online in an article by Helen Pidd https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/17/more-war-hero-statues-is-wholly-retrograde-move-conservative-mps-say-womens-groups?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other