This is the only political meeting poster to have come to light so far (Jan 2018). Though no year is given, it will date from before 1914 as the Public Hall was requisitioned by the war office at that time as a Drill Hall for the cadets of the Royal West Kents. It was still hired out for community entertainment and events, but political gatherings of any sort were no longer allowed. The speaker at this meeting was Sevenoaks M.P. Henry William Forster whose family were powerful landowners and farmers in Catford and Rushey Green in South London.
This poster appears to publicise an open meeting, there being no reference to exclusion of women, so the most likely date is 1911-12, following the formation of the Conservative and Unionist Women's Franchise Association in 1910. This was a women's suffrage organisation open to members of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
This is the only political meeting poster to have come to light so far (correct to 15th January 2018) which we find somewhat surprising. It will date from before 1914 as the Public Hall was requisitioned by the war office at that time as a Drill Hall for the cadets of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kents. In the 20th century, the year could be 1901, 1907 or 1912.
There appears to be no exclusion of women at the meeting, so the most likely date is 1912, following the formation of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association in 1908. This was a women’s suffrage organisation open to members of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
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