A HEREFORD woman has won an award for her book delving into Herefordshire’s suffragette history.

Clare Wichbold, 58, wrote the first book devoted to exploring the story of the women’s suffrage campaign in Herefordshire called Hard Work – But Glorious.

She has now won the Alan Ball Awards 2021 for local history books.

It is the only self-published book to be recognised and she is the first person from Herefordshire to gain recognition through the awards.

“I’m really proud about that,” she said.

All sides of the debate are covered: the militant suffragettes and peaceful suffragists, often working collectively in the county, ranged against the anti-suffrage activists who were equally passionate about their opposition to women gaining the parliamentary vote.

Hereford Times: Ms Wichbold also works in The Courtyard, Hereford.Ms Wichbold also works in The Courtyard, Hereford.

It focuses on the 19th and early 20th centuries, the chapters bring together well-known characters and under discovered characters.

Ms Wichbold began uncovering these stories about the significance of Hereford to the suffrage campaign when she was working on the National Lottery heritage fund eastern cloisters project at Hereford Cathedral.

She said: “Some surprising discoveries have come to light about the people on either side of the suffrage debate, both for and against votes for women.

"I am delighted to be able to share my research in Hard Work – But Glorious, and hope that my readers will be inspired to find out more."

The book can be bought online here or at Ledbury Books in High Street, Ledbury.