In 1919 Lady Nancy Astor was the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. She was MP for Plymouth until 1945. Born in the US in 1879, in 1906 she married Lord (Waldorf) Astor, the owner of Clivedon. In parliament she supported social issues including the rights of women and the welfare of children. She became increasingly controversial, for example supporting appeasement with Germany. Alexis Bowater began her journalistic career as a reporter for the Exeter Express & Echo. She moved into television to become a presenter and producer. Alexis has recently promoted a successful appeal to raise funds for a statue of Lady Astor on The Hoe.
Application for places at speakers’ events should be made in writing to the Dining Secretary, Mr. Philip Maunder, Pennies, 46 Pound Lane, Topsham EX30NA with a separate cheque for each event, made payable to ‘ESU Devon and Exeter’. Cheques will not be presented for payment until the day after the event.