On August 4th, 1913, flames lit up the sky over a Devon mansion. The papers were filled with speculation that suffragettes were to blame. Truth or fiction?
This fascinating story tells of Devon women holding MPs to account, joining mass rallies in London, defying the government, enduring imprisonment … and taking part in the biggest sleepover the region has ever known.
Reason or Rebellion?extends the story covered in Breaking The Mould to include women's fight for the vote right across Devon. Events also start earlier with the campaigning that swept the region in the 1870s.
Clovelly - Suffragettes ambush the Prime Minister Plymouth - Arson in Devonport Newton Abbot - Braving mob rule Lands End to London - Women walk for the vote Exeter - First prison hunger strikers SIdmouth - the Anti's fight back Ilfracombe - an island of militancy Lynton - Explosive events hit the headlines
AVAILABLE AUTUMN 2024 - please email to pre-order.
"A valuable and fascinating contribution to our understanding of the women's movement."
This exploration of the campaign for women's suffrage in North Devon is a well written and carefully researched account. Although the national picture has been explored before, by focusing down on a specific geographical area and one that was away from the main centers of population, a whole new perspective is given to this topic. The work of the activists in the south-west is clearly set against the wider national context. I thought that the case study, describing the unfolding involvement of Marie Newby, whose story is interspersed between the general narrative, was particularly effective. The fact that I read this in the same way as I would a novel is indicative of its readability. Pamela Vass' detailed investigation into the regional manifestation of a national phenomenon is a valuable and fascinating contribution to our understanding of the women's movement.
Amazon 5 star Review
OUT OF PRINT. CONTENT ABSORBED INTO 'REASON OR REBELLION? Women's Fight for the Vote in Devon'.
Fantastic book, one you can't put down once you've started. A very gripping story very well portrayed.
What a read! You certainly are a mistress of intrigue. The book is not only a brilliant statement about injustice, professional expectations, fostering, adoption and the impossibly difficult task social workers can have, it is full of skilfully crafted, insightful, 'pearls of wisdom' to do with how we all tick as human beings and in relationships.
[Shadow Child] is fantastic. You have such a gift for touching people's emotions.
Shadow Child ... is a fantastic read; emotional, gripping and intriguing to the last page.
...I've just finished Seeds of Doubt; WONDERFUL. I loved it, it has all the right ingredients - drama, tension, intrigue, love, secrets, danger and truth. Thank you so much for a thought-provoking and thoroughly edge-of-the-seat read.
To build a conspiracy thriller on an event as well known as the Lynmouth flood disaster, and to make it both plausible and exciting, is no mean feat. The dialogue is well written and convincing and the plot is unpredictable with enough twists to keep any thriller reader happy.
When I started reading this book, I was seduced by the magic of the prose. I was transported straight back to the early eighties and accompanied the heroine on the visits to Exmoor with enthusiasm. But then I got hooked into the story and the day trip became an all-nighter! Brilliantly written and researched. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a story based on seeds of truth.
One of the original pioneers of the computer was born over 200 years ago in Great Torrington in the West of England. His name was Thomas Fowler.
This is a story of stunning resilience and ingenuity in the face of professional prejudice, betrayal and heart-breaking twists of fate. It is a story of an invention destined to re-write the history of computing.
Winner of the Devon History Society W.G.Hoskins Prize 2016
Computers might have changed history and our world almost a century sooner had the ideas of Fowler been understood and adopted by Babbage. Dr Ralph Merkle, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing, California.
The author Pamela Vass has done extensive research in many disciplines for this book, and she makes it all very readable and understandable. And the story she has to tell is a fascinating one indeed ... Over and over again I marvel at the amount of research that must have gone into just a few paragraphs. I highly recommend this book. Amazon 5 star review.
A fascinating, candid and tremendously moving reflection of a life and times slowly receding into history.
In My Own Words evolved out of times shared in front of Johnny’s coal fire when his recollections were freely given and much enjoyed. Then one day he asked if I would write his story. It has been a pleasure and a privilege; one he would be happy to know is being shared by others. Pamela, I have just read a book purchased from you some years ago while on holiday about John Devereux (In My Own Words). I found the book difficult to put down although quite harrowing at times especially when Irene passed away after her own personal battle with cancer. Thank you for taking the time to put into words John's life story, one which I found truly fascinating. Gary Roden.
This inspirational book offers a simple-to-follow course enabling anyone suffering from a chronic illness to make a difference to their lives right now.
I felt I must tell you how helpful I am finding your book on CFS/ME. I've been so grateful for it, it's like my "bible!" I’m planning on taking it on holiday with me … makes me feel secure having all the advice with me. One thing I especially like is that the book is very user-friendly, the way it's laid out, summaries etc. The bold letters are also extremely useful and the type of spine makes it easy to turn over, keep your place. Thank you very much, Pamela.
I am available for talks and presentations, either in person in the south west or by Zoom UK wide. For more information please see the 'About' page on this site.
2025 January 17th Old Plymouth Society Zoom talk The Suffragette Story in the South West
February 12th Otter Vale Probus Zoom talk The Lynmouth Floods: Act of God or Act of Man?
March 18th Cafe Scientific, Sidmouth The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler
19th Honiton U3A The Suffragette Story in the South West
April 11th Plympton Civic Society The Suffragette Story in the South West 30th National Trust Plymouth SupportersGroup The Lynmouth Floods: Act of God or Act of Man? May 21st Buckland Brewer History Group Zoom talk
June 16th The Wharf, Tavistock The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler
July 10th Dart Vale U3A The Suffragette Story in the South West
September 25th Altarnun Local History Society The Lynmouth Floods: Act of God or Act of Man?
October 13th Coventry Family History Society, Zoom talk The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler
30th Tavistock Ladies Luncheon Club The Suffragette Story in the South West