Suffrage centenary: Thousands of women celebrate in Cardiff march

Thousands of women of all ages have marched together through Cardiff in celebration of women winning the right to vote.

Mothers with babies were joined by older generations - some in mobility scooters - in the parade to Bute Park.

It marked 100 years since the Representation of the People Act was passed - which gave some women the right to vote.

"It's going to go down in history," said Louisa Helen Johnson, of Swansea.

Young and old, and wearing green, white or violet - the suffragette colours - the women marched through Cardiff at the same time as women in London, Belfast and Edinburgh took to the streets.

The mass celebrations marked the centenary of the law, which gave women the vote - but only if they were 30 years old and also owned property.

Ms Johnson, who is a direct descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, told BBC Wales: "It is such a monumental occasion.

"I feel terribly proud of my relatives and how they changed the world."

Laura Harris, 29, from Cardiff, joined the parade from Cardiff City's football stadium with 11-month-old Etta Kersley.

"We are here to support all the ladies who have come before us," she said.

Women of all ages sang, chanted and carried banners during the procession, with three generations of women from the Roderick family, from Cardiff, taking to the streets, saying they wanted it to be a day that the children would remember.

And 81-year-old Alma Thomas, from Thornhill, stopped to pick litter after the march.

"It's been wonderful to see the purple, white and green coming past the castle with everyone having such a wonderful time to mark such an important occasion," said organiser Elin Rees.

"Women of all ages and backgrounds have come together today to celebrate and make history."

Modern-day protest banners created by groups of women and girls from across Wales were carried through the streets of the capital - bearing their messages about equality issues faced by women today.

"Our square is about me passing on my knowledge, passing on the fight, it's from me to her and it's something we made together," said one mother, who made a square on a banner with her daughter.

Bethan Frieze, of choir Only Menopause Aloud who are sang during the celebration, said: "It's 100 years since the suffragettes got women the right to vote, and I can't believe there was ever a time when we didn't have the vote.

"It's not just about us singing - it's about us talking to our daughters, and in schools and the community, about what that meant at that time and how it's affected us today."

Female brass players from across south Wales also performed in scratch band Symphonic Brass Wales.

Conductor Jacquie Scaife said: "I feel quite honoured to conduct on this occasion, because to have so many women playing in a brass band together is so unusual."