A VERY British party is to be held in the borough to mark one of the most significant centenaries in the nation’s history.

Bury North MP James Frith is inviting residents to join him for a tea party as part of a national celebration.

The EqualiTeas event is two of almost 3,000 tea parties, taking place across the country, organised in association with the UK Parliament, to celebrate the Acts of Parliament which gave votes to women and extended the franchise.

This year marks 100 years since the the Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the right to vote to all men aged over 21 and to the first women aged over 30 — on the condition that they or their husbands owned property worth £5.

It is also the 90th anniversary of the Equal Franchise Act 1928, which gave universal suffrage to everyone aged over 21.

Residents will be able to join Mr Frith for tea and cake at the Freedom Church in Walmersley Road, from 12pm on June 30.

Although now largely just an excuse for a good natter, historically, tea parties were hotbeds of political activism, providing one of the few vital ways for suffrage campaigners to meet and organise.

The EqualiTeas parties are hope to capture this spirit and provide an opportunity for the community to come together and share ideas for a more equal society.

Mr Frith said: “The Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 was a vital step towards the rights women and men have today, and these anniversaries are an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come.

“We all know that there is still more to do when it comes to equality in Britain, and EqualiTeas is an excellent opportunity to reach out and share our ideas for an even more equal society, while celebrating the strides we have already made.”

For more information visit equaliteas.org.uk.