THE Heritage Centre in Church Lane, Ledbury, was buzzing last weekend, on Friday night and all day Saturday, with events that focused on women's history and the Suffragettes.

It is a century since some UK women got the vote, following a long struggle for equal rights.

There was also a focus at the Heritage Centre on the Home Front during the First World War: because this is also the centenary year of the signing of the Armistice, which ended the conflict.

A spokesman said: "On September 14, Meredith Towne gave a spirited talk, in costume, of the working women’s fight for the vote in the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

"She performed an entertaining exploration of the social, political and everyday events that shaped a century."

Meredith returned to the Heritage Centre on Saturday, September 15 to demonstrate "practical and inventive ways in which women mended, recycled and repurposed their wardrobes during World War 1".

The spokesman added: "Visitors tried their hands at rag-rug making and using old stockings to make bands to tie back their hair, surrounded by table displays and mannequins dressed in original 100 year old costumes of the time."

The Heritage Centre is owned by Ledbury Places and staffed and managed on a day-to-day basis by volunteers. The spokesman said: "These events were the first to take place in the building in recent years and were funded by Joined Up Heritage, which is sponsored by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Ledbury Town Council and the Civic Society.

Another event is planned for Saturday, October 20 at 8pm which will explore local folk-tales and Gothic poetry entitled ‘Frightful Folklore, Dark Tales’.