Blue plaque unveiled in Crewe celebrating town's 19th-century suffragist
A stunning blue plaque was unveiled on Monday 30 June by the Mayor of Crewe students from Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, commemorating suffragist and women's rights campaigner, Ada Nield Chew.
The plaque has been installed on a custom-made plinth, designed by Crewe UTC students on Bridle Road, off Wistaston Road,
Four all-female teams submitted designs for the plinth and the final design is an amalgamation of two of those designs.
The bobbin and needle details represent Ada's position as a tailor at Compton's Clothing Factory in the 1890s.
At the plaque unveiling, Ada was given recognition for speaking out at her own personal cost, supporting women and girls who often had no voice.
In acknowledging her efforts with a Blue Plaque, the plaque aims to ensure people remember her name and hopefully find out more about her.
Crewe Town Council has thanked the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry for allowing the plaque to be sited at Bridle Road, in front of the factory.
Principal of the Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, Will Chitty, facilitated the plinth design process and director of Area Welding Services Ltd, Chris Geddes, was responsible for bringing the plinth to life from the students' design.
About Ada
In May 1894, Ada Nield Chew began writing to the Crewe Chronicle about the conditions at the factory, signing her letters as "A Crewe Factory Girl".
Her letters give are a small glimpse into the lives of Victorian working class women.
Ada criticised the conditions that women and girls were expected to work in, noting they were charged for tea breaks and expected to work long hours to earn eight shillings a week, around £33 a week today.
She had to leave Compton's when she was unmasked as the Crewe Factory Girl.
Ada went on to join the Independent Labour Party and worked with the Local Trades Council, as well as actively supporting the women's suffrage movement.
However, she often criticised the Women's Social and Political Union for not looking to secure votes for middle class women.
A Crewe Town Council spokesperson told Nub News: "The unveiling of Ada's blue plaque is an important day for Crewe and one that has been five years in the making.
"In celebrating Ada's contributions to furthering the rights of women, as well as the skills and future potential of the students from Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, we are proud that this project has brought the community together."
Crewe Town Council has created a number of heritage resources (suitable for use in Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2) about the 'Crewe Factory Girl', including transcripts of Ada's letters, images, newspaper articles and a video.
Principal at Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, Mr Chitty, said: "We are were so excited to finally unveil Ada's plaque which is set on the students' beautifully designed and manufactured plinth.
"The needle and bobbin design features line drawings which depict important aspects of Ada's life."
"It is wonderful that the students will be able to lay claim to an important landmark in our town for years to come.
"I am so proud that the collaboration between Crewe UTC, the Town Council and Area Welding has produced such a fitting monument to an incredible woman."
READ MORE: Crewe Library next up on John Dwyer's book signing and Q&A tour.
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