USING archive film-clips, noted speaker and author Annabel Hobley charted the remarkable story of Margaret Bondfield from her humble origins as a Chard lace worker and shop girl to the lofty heights of trail-blazing cabinet minister and privy councillor at the February meeting.

Bondfield, shocked by the working conditions of shop staff, began to record her experiences in articles and stories she wrote under the pseudonym Grace Dare.

This led her to became more involved in socialist causes and after joining the shopworkers'

union she rose steadily through the ranks until elected chairman of the Trade Union Congress in 1923, an extraordinary achievement for a woman at that time.

It was also the year she was first returned to Parliament and during Labour’s short- lived Government of 1924 she served as parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Labour, probably the most demanding job in the cabinet.

In 1930 Bondfield received the freedom of the borough from her home town of Chard, an honour she was both proud of and humbled by.

A blue plaque on the Guildhall remembers Bondfield, a heroine of her time.

The group’s next meeting is on March 13 at Manor Court Academy, when members will hear more about the characters, battle and bloody aftermath of the Monmouth pitchfork rebellion of 1685, one of the most famous chapters of the West Country’s history.

Meetings start at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome.

Visit the website for more details – ChardHistoryGroup.org.uk