A PROCESSION celebrated the role women played in Barrow's industrial heritage by 'reclaiming the past.' 

A colourful parade through the town centre marked the end of the Barrow Dreams week on Saturday, September 21. The event, which involved months of research by artist Sarah Hardacre, was called 'Reclaiming the past: A procession and performance celebrating Barrovian women.' 

The event was led by artist Sarah Hardacre The event was led by artist Sarah Hardacre (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Some of the Barrow women praised in the procession included:

  • Gillian Thompson, a nuclear physicist and marathon runner.
  • The Vickers' Munition Girls who made shells during World War One under the supervision of Dorothée Pullinger.
  • Footballers Georgia Stanway and Aimee Everett. 
  • Peggy Braithwaite who was Britain's only female lighthouse keeper. 
  • Dame Emma Walmsley who is the chief executive officer of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.
  • Winifred Pennington who was a respected limnologist and biologist with a life-long career in science.

Many other women were also celebrated for their contributions to the town, past and present. 

A banner celebrates the Vickers Munition Girls, who played a key part in the domestic front in World War OneA banner celebrates the Vickers Munition Girls, who played a key part in the domestic front in World War One (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

The procession started at Heron Foods on Portland Walk at 11.45am encouraging those involved to create their own placard. At noon, the parade started to the Spirit of Barrow sculpture and included music, dance and theatre performances.

The procession makes its way from the Spirit of Barrow monument to The ForumThe procession makes its way from the Spirit of Barrow monument to The Forum (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

The attendees, led by drum group Boom Dang, then made their way to the ante room in The Forum for refreshments. 

The Boom Dang band welcomes the procession to The ForumThe Boom Dang band welcomes the procession to The Forum (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Afterwards, Sarah said: "I think it went really, really well. The weather was in our favour - the sun was out and it really raised our spirits."

READ MORE: Dumbbell Dining to open in Barrow mid-October

She said she put in six months of research to make the event happen using evidence from different community groups for the speeches which were given out at the Spirit of Barrow monument.

Crowds listen to speeches at the Spirit of Barrow monumentCrowds listen to speeches at the Spirit of Barrow monument (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Becki Fishwick led the Barrow Gals, who sang Adele, Coldplay, Ben E King and Cyndi Lauper songs live at the event to 'empower' the audience through music. 

Becky Fishwick led the Barrow Gals, who sang at the eventBecky Fishwick led the Barrow Gals, who sang at the event (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

She said: "It was lovely, really nice day. Lovely to see so many women and celebrate one another and it brought everyone together." 

Natalie Appleton, one of the members of the Barrow Gals, said: "It was really good to celebrate Barrow women because they don't often get a mention. Some of the women from the past I actually knew so it was nice to see their achievements." 

Natalie Appleton said she knew some of the women being celebrated in the parade, and enjoyed hearing about their achievementsNatalie Appleton said she knew some of the women being celebrated in the parade, and enjoyed hearing about their achievements (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

BarrowFull, which supported Sarah in putting on the event and ran the Barrow Dreams week, allows arts events to take place in the town and is led by a consortium of organisations including Westmorland and Furness Council and the University of Cumbria. Women's Community Matters is the lead partner.