Author Archives: rosblack

About rosblack

I am a freelance writer & author of 4 social history books, featuring female social reformers of the late 19th and early 20th century. In a previous life I managed a housing charity. I also give talks.

Waterstones Book Talk well received

Posted on February 12, 2018 by rosblack

My talk at Waterstones in Haywards Heath last Friday went well, with a lively audience, many of whom had personal knowledge of Chailey Heritage. Particular thanks to the couple who brought along some fascinating Chailey memorabilia. If you happen … Continue reading →

Posted in books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Feminism, Fight for women's suffrage, Grace Kimmins, Guild of Play, Guild of the Brave Poor Things, SCANDAL SALVATION AND SUFFRAGE, Sisters of the People, Suffragettes, Suffragists, talks and book signings, West London Mission, West London Mission, Sister of the People, Bermondsey Settlement, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Women's Right to Vote | Tagged Grace Kimmins, historical biography | Leave a comment

Book Talk at Waterstones Haywards Heath Friday 9th February 6.30 pm

Posted on February 8, 2018 by rosblack

I’m delighted to be giving a talk about my latest book Grace Kimmins and her Chailey Heritage at my local Waterstones this Friday. Special thanks to the manager, James, for hosting this. I’m hoping the bad weather doesn’t deter people … Continue reading →

Posted in books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Grace Kimmins, talks and book signings | Tagged book signings, Chailey Heritage, Grace Kimmins, talks, Waterstones | 1 Comment

Grace Kimmins – Suffragette or Suffragist?

Posted on January 17, 2018 by rosblack

Before Grace set up her craft school for disabled boys at Chailey, in Sussex, in 1903, she had been working as a Sister of the People at the West London Mission and then at the Bermondsey Settlement. Amongst her fellow … Continue reading →

2018 – celebrating women’s suffrage

Posted on January 1, 2018 by rosblack

As we enter 2018, we will be hearing a lot more about women’s fight for political equality, celebrating 100 years since females were allowed to vote. Most of the women I have written about have strong links to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agnes Weston, books by Ros Black, British Women's Temperance Association, British women's temperance movement, female temperance reformers, Feminism, Fight for women's suffrage, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Navy, Suffragettes, Suffragists, Temperance, Victorian temperance movement, women of the temperance movement, women's history, Women's Right to Vote, Women's Rights | Tagged Agnes Weston, Britsh Women's Temperance Asociation, Lady Henry Somerset, Suffragettes, Suffragists, Virginia, Women's suffrage | 2 Comments

Former Chailey scholar, Jack Hayward, writes a review:

Posted on October 23, 2017 by rosblack

Grace Kimmins and her Chailey Heritage. By Ros Black. Even with my close association with the Heritage Craft Schools in my formative years at Chailey and a personal knowledge of Grace Kimmins, later Dame, I found this book to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bermondsey, book reviews, books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Chailey Old Scholars, Grace Kimmins, Guild of Play, Guild of the Brave Poor Things, Sisters of the People, West London Mission, Sister of the People, Bermondsey Settlement, Chailey Heritage Foundation, women's history, World war One | Tagged book reviews, Chailey Heritage, First world war, new book, women's history | 3 Comments

Talk at The Keep, East Sussex Records Office Tuesday 31st October 5.30

Posted on October 22, 2017 by rosblack

Most of the Chailey Heritage archives are kept at The Keep so, when researching my book, I spent many happy days there looking at old files and photographs. The staff were very patient with all my requests. I shall … Continue reading →

Grace Kimmins and her Chailey Heritage Book reviews

Posted on October 21, 2017 by rosblack

The new book was well received at the launch at Chailey Heritage on 12th October. It was lovely to meet up with some former Chailey pupils who have been so helpful to me in my researches. Some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bermondsey, Bermondsey Settlement, book reviews, books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Grace Kimmins, talks and book signings | Tagged Bermondsey Settlement, Chailey Heritage, Grace Kimmins | Leave a comment

GRACE KIMMINS – ‘A SMALL WOMAN WITH A BIG HEART’

Posted on September 24, 2017 by rosblack

Grace Kimmins has been called many things: ‘a genius’, ‘the greatest beggar in England’, ‘a small woman with a big heart’,’a pied piper’, one of the greatest English women of the twentieth century’, ‘a goddess with a chuckle’, ‘a spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Bermondsey, Bermondsey Settlement, books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Grace Kimmins, Guild of Play, Guild of the Brave Poor Things, Sisters of the People, Victorian Do-Gooders, West London Mission, West London Mission, Sister of the People, Bermondsey Settlement, Chailey Heritage Foundation, women's history | Leave a comment

GRACE KIMMINS AND HER CHAILEY HERITAGE

Posted on September 23, 2017 by rosblack

To book your free tickets for the launch of my new book at Chailey Heritage Thursday 12th October at 6pm go to chf.org.uk/tickets

Posted in books by Ros Black, Chailey Heritage, Grace Kimmins | Leave a comment

Grace Kimmins and her Chailey Heritage

Posted on September 13, 2017 by rosblack

New book out on 12th October 2018 Exciting news – my new book is being launched at Chailey Heritage on 12th October. To book your free ticket go to http://www.chf.org.uk/tickets You will shortly be able to pre-order the book prior … Continue reading →

Posted in Chailey Heritage, Grace Kimmins | Leave a comment