'Unbind the Wing' at Bodnant Garden

Celebrating our trail-blazing women of Bodnant Garden and their long struggle for suffrage.

National Trust Wales team launching 'Unbind the Wing'

We have lift off! 

Pigtown Theatre and a cast of staff, volunteers and fantastic community friends gave us a rousing start to our autumn celebration of suffrage. If you missed it, enjoy our film.

Watch our video...
Agnes Pochin, Laura McLaren and Priscilla Bright-McLaren

Women of Bodnant 

In this 2018 centenary of Votes for Women - the National Trust's year of #WomenAndPower - we're shining a light on our own women of Bodnant Garden who were at the forefront of the suffrage cause.

Article on Laura McLaren and women of the suffrage movement from the Daily Chronicle, July 7 1910

Meet Laura McLaren 

Laura McLaren was not only a great horticulturalist but a tireless campaigner for the peaceful suffragist cause whose 'spade-work' over decades helped win women the vote.

The McLarens at Bodnant Hall circa 1905: Francis, Florence, Charles, Anges Pochin (seated), Laura, in-laws Edward Johnson-Ferguson and Henry Norman, Henry and Elsie (seated)

A family united by suffrage 

From the drawing rooms and town halls of the nation to the Houses of Parliament, the men and women of this campaigning family fought together to secure the franchise for women.

" No one has done more for the advancement of the feminine sex during recent years than Lady McLaren...What with her witty speeches, her indomitable zeal, and the ready manner in which she subscribes to every cause that is likely to benefit her sisters, she may be said to occupy a unique place"
Laura McLaren, of Bodnant Garden, who wrote the Women's Charter

A voice for womankind 

Laura McLaren campaigned not just for her own right to vote but on behalf of women everywhere. A champion of the servant girl and the housewife as much as the lady of property, she argued passionately about issues from health and housing to work and wages.

In her own words...

Our centenary year at Bodnant Garden

The Round Garden at Bodnant Garden

A tribute in flowers  

This year our gardeners have transformed the Round Garden with an annual flower design in red, white and green, the colours of the suffrage movement, which has bloomed all summer.

Banner making workshop in the Old Mill at Bodnant Garden

The art of protest  

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

Couple walkind in autumn at Bodnant Garden

A walk of discovery 

See the garden in a new light - discover Bodnant's links to the suffrage movement as you walk around this autumn taking in special displays at The Poem, Pin Mill and Old Mill...

'Unbind the Wing' willow sculpture by Trevor Leat at Bodnant Garden
Bodnant Garden   Conwy

'Unbind the Wing' at Bodnant Garden: Our event blog

Our suffrage celebration is a real community effort. Here's our tribute to the women, and men, who are making it happen.

Introducing...
" A nation ruled by men alone is like a bird which tries to fly with one wing bound, it rises, flutters, and falls again to earth. Dare to unbind that wing and have patience till it gains strength, then men and women will rise together and lift humanity to heights before unknown. "