Pictures: Unveiling of Congleton’s Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy’s Statue

Churnet Sound Roving reporter was in Congleton on a bright sunny day (8/3/22) to see the unveiling of the Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy’s Statue. There was a parade down Lawton Street to Bridge Street in the town centre. The town was buzzing with people to watch the event and see the unveiling of the Statue. It was to celebrate a national important lady that led a campaign for girls education and womens rights when married with the owning of property and custody of children as well as womens rights to vote. Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy was only 4 feet 11 inches high and the statue has been sculptured in clay/bronze to that height. The sculptor is Hazel Reeves and has created many sculptors including the one of Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in Manchester.

The ceremony was opened by Councillor Dennis Murphy Congleton Town Mayor with speeches from Susan Munroe the chair of the Elizabeth Group, followed by a poem from Lily Simpson from Congleton High School and a reading from Helen Banks from Eaton Bank High School. Baroness Lady Hale of Richmond then spoke about Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy and unveiled the statue followed by the sculptor Hazel Reeves talking about the how the statue was designed and produced.

The Choral Society during the proceedings sang the Suffragette Song and local schools sang relevant songs.

The statue is situated in Bridge Street in Congleton town centre for all to see.