In recognition of International Women’s Day and British Science Week, on Saturday the 8th of March The Folk of Gloucester is inviting families to meet some of Britain’s greatest female trailblazers and heroines… with a twist. Iconic figures such as Florence Nightingale, Mary Anning and Gloucester’s Queen Aethelflaed will be represented by large hand puppets operated by science communicator Sarah Snell-Pym.
These humorous and characterful representations of historical icons were handmade by Sarah’s parents several years ago and have visited children’s events across Gloucester, including its libraries and Cathedral. The idea was born when Sarah did a Science Communication PGC course at The University of the West of England, starting with one puppet: Ada Lovelace, a programming pioneer from the Victorian era. The collection grew into a touring event which uses a variety of techniques to engage a whole range of interests and abilities.
Sarah tells us: “Everyone seems to love the puppets and the response when they appear is amazing. The puppets say: science is for everyone!”
At the event, kids can get hands-on with activities related to the life and work of the women featured, including fossil hunting, snap circuits and cabbage chemistry.
Children can look forward to meeting the following characters:
Mary Anning: fossil hunter (pictured above)
Born in 1799 in Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast, Mary Anning started unearthing fossils at a young age to sell to tourists. She came from a poor family and had little formal education but taught herself geology and anatomy. When she was just 12, she dug up the first Ichthyosaur skeleton (a large aquatic reptile) and later unearthed the first complete Plesiosaur skeleton.
Ada Lovelace: Victorian computer pioneer
Daughter of the notorious Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace was taught mathematics and logic to counteract her father’s influence. She became friends with mathematician Charles Babbage, inventor of the Analytical Engine – an early computer. Lovelace was the first to recognise that computers could be used for more than mathematics and proposed what many consider to be the first computer program.
Mary Leakey: intrepid archaeologist
Mary Leakey attended her first archaeological dig in 1930 at the age of just 17. Much of her decades-long career was spent in Africa where she discovered the first fossilised Proconsul skull – an extinct ape thought to be an early ancestor of humans. Her numerous discoveries of early hominids redefined our understanding of where the first humans originated from.
Florence Nightingale: founder of modern nursing
Florence Nightingale rose to fame during the Crimean War of 1853-1856, where she managed and trained a fleet of nurses. She vastly reduced death rates among injured soldiers by improving hygiene standards and became famous in her time as the “Lady with the Lamp”, making her rounds of the hospital wards at night. She also had a pet owl called Athena!
Mary Seacole: Black British nurse and businesswoman (pictured below)
Also a nurse during the Crimean War, Mary Seacole’s work has been overlooked until recently. As well as providing medical aid to soldiers on the battlefield, she ran a successful restaurant and bar where she conversed with many high-ranking officers. She went on to publish the first autobiography in Britain written by a Black woman.
Aethelflaed: Saxon warrior queen (pictured below)
Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred the Great, was born into the midst of the Viking invasion of Britain in the 9th Century AD. As her husband’s health declined, she took over the ruling of the Mercia in central England. She led military campaigns, political treaties and building projects – including founding St Oswald’s Priory in Gloucester city centre.
This drop-in event is suitable for children aged 4 and above accompanied by an adult. Entry is free with a suggested donation of £2 per person to support the upkeep of our historic building and community hub.
For the adults, we will also be holding a special International Womens’ Day character tour from the perspective of Damaris Deighton, the woman who owned one of the Folk of Gloucester’s buildings in the 17th century. The tour starts at 11am Saturday the 8th of March and tickets can be booked here.