Lancaster Civic Vision

03/03/2026

Lancaster and the surrounding district has a proud history of inventiveness, creativity and knowledge building. From the areas industrial roots of the 18th and 19th century, to our tech and knowledge economies in the 21st century City.

07/02/2026

Following our members’ Meeting talk on the work of the Heritage Trust for the North West, Vice Chair Amy visited the Trust’s Park Hill Heritage Centre.

A fascinating property and museum and a lovely tea room too!

https://heritagetrustnorthwest.uk/

07/02/2026

20/01/2026

Good to see the Selina Martin plaque unveiling covered in the Lancaster Guardian

Lancaster has a permanent memorial to a hero who suffered in the fight to get votes for women.

19/01/2026

19/01/2026

Lancaster Civic Vision is delighted that our latest commemorative plaque was unveiled recently to commemorate Suffragette, Selina Martin.

Selina Martin lived at 29 Sun St having moved from Ulverston in 1896. Selina was an active and influential member of the Women’s Social and Political Union, “the Suffragettes” and was imprisoned on a number of occasions. She was the first woman to be forcibly fed when on hunger strike in prison.

Selina was first arrested and imprisoned in 1908 in London. Her most publicised action was in December 1909 in Liverpool when, with fellow Suffragette Leslie Hall, she approached Prime Minister Asquith as he was leaving his car. When he did not answer them, Selina threw an empty ginger beer bottle into his car. They were both arrested and refused bail and were treated appallingly. Selina was forcibly fed whilst on remand and documented a harrowing account of that experience and the extent of the unnecessary force used against her. Her request to be medically examined by a female doctor was refused.

Selina was admired in Lancaster, and her dissent was well and sympathetically reported in the Lancaster Guardian of the day. She later married Edward Burley and continued to live in Lancaster. They had 2 children, Evelyn and Edward. Selina died in 1972.

The plaque at 29 Sun Street was unveiled by Jackson Sycamore, Selina’s great grandson in the presence of David Cam DL, the Under Sheriff for the Lancashire and His Honour Phillip Sycamore CBE, (former Honorary Recorder of Lancaster), who is also a grandson of Selina. Other members of Selina’s family attended including 2 great-grandchildren. Lancaster Civic Vision was represented by Secretary Will Gale and members of the Executive.

Lancaster Civic Vision continues to honour celebrated and distinguished Lancastrians and particularly our under-recognised women citizens.

We are grateful for the kind permission of the building owner to erect the plaque.

15/01/2026

Congratulations Lancaster City Council fir bringing the biggest sporting event in the world to our city in 2027! It will be amazing !

Great news for Lancaster!

01/01/2026

Happy new year to all our members, friends and supporters. May it be one of good health, happiness and success! X