This year marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 extended 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.

The Bolton Equaliteas parties have been organised by Bolton Libraries and Museums and CBHUK and will take place at Westhoughton Library and Queen’s Park Bolton at 11am on June 26 and 2pm on Sunday July 1st respectively.

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, commemorating the achievements of the past, and provide an opportunity for the community to come together and share ideas for a more equal society.

Rashid Mogradia, CEO and founder of CBHUK, said:

“We have been doing work with Parliament for a number of years and I think it is only right that we do something to raise awareness in our community and this is the perfect opportunity.

“It’s going to be a great event. It’s not been done before and it’s nice that something is happening in Bolton.”

The events are also being backed Bolton MP Sir David Crausby.

He said: “The Representation of the People Act was a vital step towards the rights women and men have today, and these anniversaries are an 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 to others in our community and share our ideas for an equal society, while celebrating the strides we have already made.”

For more information visit equaliteas.org.uk.