Organised by Greater Manchester Morning Star Readers' and Supporters' Group.
Helen MacFarlane:
(PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE OF THIS EVENT).
Meet: Farmers Arms, Marsh Lane, Ravensmoor Nr.
Nantwich CW5 8PN 11am
Walk 1 hour or so to St. Martin's Church CW5 8EY-
Proceeds
in her name to Morning Star Fighting Fund
Helen
MacFarlane came from a privileged Scottish Mill owning family where
her early education would be of benefit to her as time progressed.
Within weeks of her father’s death the Mill, famous for its Turkey
Red bandanas, closed. Within time they left their crescented home.
Helen
eventually found herself in Vienna during the revolt against the
Habsburgs. Knowing Marx & Engels, her writings were read during
the years of the Chartists ( under a nom de plume) in the Red
Republican & Democrat papers.
Helen was very critical of the
established church in her early scripts, which would deem to be
ironic in later years. Marriage ended in tragedy for Helen, however
rebuilding her life would have been challenging. It is recorded (Blue
Plaque) as living in Burnley, Lancashire; where at some point she met
her future husband a 51 years of age Minister of the established
church, who had been widowed with a grown up family.
Helen , who had visited the major cities of Europe, where she had met the revolutionary thinkers of that time, was brought
to a Cheshire “backwater” to be mistress of a huge
ministerial home, which is to be seen to this day.
Helen died at the age of 41 from pneumonia embraced in the arms of the
church to-which she had written so critically years previously.
Helen was lost to history, as with many of these revolutionary
women of Victorian society until David Black succeeded in locating
her resting place. There are no known photographs of her.
Helen was responsible for translating from the German into
English The Communist Manifesto.
A wreath will be laid & dedication will be
made at her graveside.
