Category Archives: Uncategorized

Burton Constable

The papers have announced the death of John Chichester-Constable, owner of Burton Constable. I first went there in 1986, when York Castle Museum was asked to lend some toys for a film being made there. As Keeper of Costume (and dolls), I … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How New is the New Philanthropy?

In a Radio 4 programme airing on 19th December at 8pm Professor Hugh Cunningham considers the history of philanthropy and charitable endeavours and what we can learn from this today. I’ve been interviewed about my research on the archive of Dr … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

All Work and Low Pay Blog online

The opening of All Work and Low Pay was a festive occasion, with speeches from Sarah Veale, Head of Equality and Employment Rights at the TUC and Julie Howell, Director of Libraries at London Metropolitan University. We also had some songs by the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

100 Years of Woman’s Weekly

I was interviewed on the Today programme on Radio 4 on 4th November as part of a feature marking the centenary of Woman’s Weekly magazine. The publishers have reissued the first ever edition, and it is fascinating; it has articles … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

19th Century British Olympics – sporting and theatrical

At the launch yesterday for Martin Polley’s book, The British Olympics, which uncovers fascinating information about the idea of the Olympics in Britain before 1900. There were several ‘Olympic’ games with competitions in traditional British pastimes like shin-kicking as well … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

All Work and Low Pay: The Story of Women and Work

I’ve been working on this exhibition for the last six months, uncovering fascinating documents in The Women’s Library and the TUC archives. Some are unbelievably sad, like the records of the young women poisoned by working with toxic materials. Some … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Politics of Appearance: 1970s Feminists

I was speaking at the Women’s History Network conference at the Women’s Library, London, on my research project on the 1970s feminist dress codes. Several of the people I’d interviewed were in the audience, as were others who were active … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

St Paul’s Church 9/11 Memorial

Earlier this year we visited St Paul’s Church, the unofficial centre for the emergency services workers on the Twin Towers site after 9/11. It was extraordinary to see how people had come together to support the workers, and the way … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Trans National Clothing conference

At the Trans National Clothing conference which I’m co-organizing at Bath Spa University with Jo Turney. Have heard some really interesting papers on topics ranging from Norwegian wool sweaters to indie fashion and rock in Indonesia. Have swapped ideas and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dressing for Success – on the radio

Just been interviewed by Ted Robbins of BBC Radio Lancashire about changing dress codes in the workplace. I had a chance to flag up the exhibition I’m working on for The Women’s Library and the TUC Library, London – All … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment