Pankhurst Centre Celebrates Hop tu Naa with Unique Heritage Events

The Pankhurst Centre in Manchester is embracing the cultural traditions of Hop tu Naa this year, highlighting its connections to the Isle of Man. As the only museum in the UK dedicated to the suffragette movement, the centre is using this annual event to explore the heritage of Sophia Goulden, the mother of founder Emmeline Pankhurst.

Located in the historic home of Emmeline Pankhurst, who established the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, the Pankhurst Centre is inviting visitors to participate in family-friendly activities that celebrate Manx customs. These include traditional practices such as carving turnip lanterns, rather than the more common pumpkins, alongside apple bobbing and lantern making.

This year’s Hop tu Naa programme will take place on October 30 and November 2, 2023, from 11:00 to 16:00. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a new pop-up display detailing the life of Sophia Goulden, the political landscape of the Isle of Man, and the early suffrage movement that shaped women’s rights in the UK.

Dr. Hannah Priest, manager of the Pankhurst Centre, explained the inspiration behind this year’s events, stating, “We always do a Halloween event, as is normal for museums. Recently, a student on placement asked me what Emmeline would have done for Halloween and how she would have celebrated it. After this, we wanted to explore what Emmeline might have known of her mother’s heritage.”

The significance of Sophia Goulden’s background is profound, as the Isle of Man was the first place to grant women the right to vote in 1881. Dr. Priest further elaborated on the impact of Sophia on her daughters, saying, “With Sophia having that Manx connection through marriage, there is a strong Manx link.”

Through these activities, the Pankhurst Centre aims not only to celebrate a seasonal tradition but also to educate visitors about the pivotal role women played in the suffrage movement, particularly those linked to the Isle of Man. The centre regularly attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond, eager to engage with the rich history of the suffragette movement and its ongoing relevance today.