EqualiTEAS
Buick Memorial EqualiTeas event Friday 8th June 2018
On Friday 8th June Primary Seven children at Buick Memorial Primary School held a special event as part of an EqualiTeas initiative. EqualiTeas is a Uk wide festival celebrating our right to vote.
It marks 90 years since everyone was given the right to vote on an equal basis by the 1928 Equal Franchise Act. This year is also the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave women the right to vote for the first time.
Primary Sevens have studied the Suffragettes as part of their Literacy programme. The afternoon performance included musical items, poetry, live debate and the children’s very own film entitled ‘The Shocking Suffragettes’. Mrs Pankhurst also put in an appearance! Sarah Adams from primary seven is a renowned singer, having performed in the Braid with The Seven Towers Male Voice Choir and sweeping the boards at Ballymena Festival year on year. She treated the audience to a rendition of ‘The Suffragette Song’ from the film ‘Mary Poppins’. Later, she teamed up with Primary Seven John Fenton to sing ‘Daisy, Daisy’, an old Music Hall favourite of the early twentieth century. Former Buick caretaker Mr William Livingstone was invited to read a poem which he had composed especially for the event, ‘Proud to be a Lass’. It was based on the childhood experience of Emmeline Pankhurst who as a small child, overheard her father say that although he loved her very much, he would have preferred to have had a son rather than a daughter.
The programme also included a live debate: ‘This house believes that the voting age should be reduced to 16 years.’ Two teams put forward their arguments and the audience voted at the end. The result was that the motion was defeated by a two to one majority against lowering the voting age.
Mr Jim Allister and Mr Paul Frew were in attendance at the event. The afternoon concluded with closing remarks from the MLAs. Mr Allister said he had been ‘blown away’ by the quality of the children’s performance. Then, in accordance with the ideals of EqualiTeas, everyone enjoyed a chat and a cup of tea.
A poem was written and performed by former school caretaker William Livingstone.
‘’Emmeline Pankhurst’’ Proud to be born a Lass!!
A goodnight kiss from a doting dad made wee Emmeline’s heart feel sad
As he tucked her in with his tender word, to Emmeline it just seemed absurd.
Of his tender love there was no doubt, her beauty and her light shone out.
His plans for her were right and good but reflected his day’s culture and mood.
Yes, Emmeline would rise one day, her gender’s purpose to display.
To perform her duty to mankind, she’d soon a worthy husband find.
And so her life would be complete with lots of children round her feet
In her domesticated role, she was born their virtues to extol.
With her obedient caring heart, she would complement her counterpart
Support his domain and ambition from her contrite servitude- submission.
While her brothers rose to wealth and fame, she must her mundane fortune claim.
Denied those glittering careers reserved for those – her all male peers.
But that night Emmeline resolved in protest acts to get involved
And strike a blow for civil rights and free all women from such plights.
And so her life was fully pledged; she blazed a trail and rallies staged.
Till her message was finally received and her objectives were at last achieved.
She, a final blow for freedom smote; the Suffragettes had won the vote!
She had gone to such great lengths causing this far reaching consequence.
But that night dad tucked her up in bed whatever was it that he said-
That tell-tale phrase of historic note became his all-revealing quote.
‘’I love you more than any dad, oh if only you’d been born a lad!’’
William Livingstone
