Unbind the Wing: The suffragists of Bodnant Garden

Beneath the manicured lawns and flower-filled terraces of Bodnant Garden is a history of powerful, politically driven women who campaigned long and hard for their right to vote. Laura McLaren who inherited the garden and estate in 1895 was a force of nature; not just an acclaimed gardener but a formidable businesswoman, writer and political lobbyist. Her mother Agnes Pochin was a pioneer of women’s suffrage, who published the ground-breaking Right of Women to Exercise the Elective Franchise in 1855; and her mother-in-law Priscilla Bright-McLaren was a leading early campaigner against slavery. Together the extended Pochin, Bright and McLaren families were at the forefront of the movement for women’s suffrage. In 2018 we marked the centenary of Votes for Women in Britain by shining a light on their story with 'Unbind the Wing', a programme of theatre, art, music, horticulture and community projects.

Henry and Agnes Pochin of Bodnant Garden

The Pochin family 

Henry and Agnes Pochin, founders of the Bodnant Garden we know today, shared a radical Liberal, non-conformist background and were passionate about social change.

Their story...
Helen McLaren, Duncan McLaren, John Bright, Priscilla Bright-McLaren and Charles McLaren

The Bright family 

Bodnant Garden's illustrious in-laws: A campaigning Quaker family who fought against slavery and the Corn Laws.

Their story...
Laura and Charles McLaren of Bodnant Garden

The McLarens 

A meeting of hearts, minds and dynasties, the Pochin-Bright-McLaren family became one of the country's most powerful forces for political change.

Their story...

A year of celebration

'Unbind the Wing' - a celebration of women's suffrage at Bodnant Garden
The Round Garden at Bodnant Garden
Banner making workshop in the Old Mill at Bodnant Garden
'Unbind the Wing' willow sculpture by Trevor Leat at Bodnant Garden
Actors from Pigtown Theatre staging 'Unbind the Wing' at Bodnant Garden

Celebrating a centenary of suffrage at Bodnant Garden

In 2018 we marked the centenary of women's suffrage - and the proud part played by our women of Bodnant - with a year of projects and activities at the garden bringing together staff, volunteers, community groups and visitors. Here's how we celebrated...

A tribute in flowers  

To mark the centenary of Votes for Women our gardeners transformed the Round Garden with an annual flower design in red, white and green, the colours of the suffrage movement.

The art of protest  

What would you protest about today? With the help of artist Alana Tyson we had a blast with our staff, volunteers, visitors and friends in the local community making modern banners.

A walk of discovery 

We gave visitors chance to see the garden in a new light, discovering Bodnant's links to the suffrage movement with a garden trail taking in special displays at The Poem, Pin Mill and Old Mill.

Power to the people! 

Pigtown Theatre and a cast of Bodnant Garden staff, volunteers, visitors and fantastic community friends came together in a rousing launch to our 2018 celebration of suffrage. If you missed it, enjoy our film.