Rural Women – Past, Present and Future

In Pentabus Theatre, Rural Women by Kateinnes_123.@hW

Rural women – not a topic you see up for debate or discussion very often. But I believe rural women deserve more attention, and that they have been both under-estimated and under-represented.  Their role has changed over time. Due to the rise of the cities, there are new challenges. But women living in the countryside, producing, raising, and nurturing, are as important as ever.

This event sets out to bring these issues into the open, and I’m delighted to have been asked to be part of a panel of experts who will be exploring the experience and importance of rural women in the past, present and future. Tickets £10 (£7 concessions) from Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery 01743 258885

Pentabus Theatre Company presents
An Evening on Rural Women  
at the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Rural Women past, present and future.
Friday 16 February | 7.30pm | Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Pentabus Theatre Company is delighted to present An Evening on Rural Women chaired by local and national radio presenter Vicki Archer, and a panel of 5 brilliant women including Countryfile Farming Hero 2015 and veteran farmer Joan Bomford, at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on 16 February, 7,30pm.
‘I think the First World War did change women. Because once we’d had a taste we wouldn’t go back to service, we were free.’
Agnes Greatorex, The Women’s Land Army, 1919
 
What are the misconceptions around the roles that women have played in rural life? What does it mean to be rural women in the 21st century?  Featuring a panel of feminists, journalists, experts and writers on Rural Women, and discussing the inspiration behind, Here I Belong by Matt Hartley which due to demand will be retouring nationally this spring 2018.
‘Your mother was born here. In her house there’s a path she’s worn between here and the village.’
Here I Belong by Matt Hartley
 
The panel also includes author and poet Kate Innes (trained in archaeology and museology, her books include ‘The Errant Hours’ set in Medieval Shropshire, and ‘Flocks of Words’ a collection of poetry about the rural mythic landscape), Polly Gibb (Director of WiRE – Women in Rural Enterprise, awarded OBE for services to rural enterprise, and one HRH Prince Charles’ 10 Heroes of the Countryside)Pentabus Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Sophie Motley (on behalf of playwright Matt Hartley, Here I Belong) and  Celia Rawlings (Chairman of Shropshire Federation of Women’s Institutes). Each of the speakers will present for up to 10 minutes, followed by a group discussion and an opportunity for questions from the audience – we’d love to hear from as many of you as possible, including men!
Artistic Director Sophie Motley said: ‘To celebrate Elsie, the inimitable 90 year old character of Matt Hartley’s play Here I Belong, I’m thrilled that Pentabus are hosting this fantastic evening of rural feminism. From farmers to activists, from artists to journalists, this evening will really spark debate and challenge perceptions of women in rural areas and rural communities.’
Pentabus are the nation’s rural theatre company. We tour new plays to village halls, fields and theatres. We seek out communities of least engagement, telling stories with local relevance and national impact. We believe people in rural areas have as much right to top quality theatre as their urban counterparts. Pentabus’ work tours to village halls and studio theatres as well as non-conventional arts spaces, bringing new writing that explores issues pertinent to rural communities to audiences across the country.
Friday 16 February  | 7.30pm | Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Running Time 90 minutes (approx.) | Recommended for ages 12+
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