Our second "WHiST Across the Decades" Event 27th August 2026 - Exploring 1986-1990
Updated: Sep 8
As previously mentioned, each month, we're throwing a special party to help us commemorate and consider a five-year period in WHiST's history. On 27th August, we focused on the late 1980s and a mighty fun time was had by all 29 attendees.
All in the bag, Kylie Karaoke, quizzes and more
WHiST Says ...
The bags which we printed in a previous workshop were ready for colouring and customisation and we spent much of the afternoon creating our own versions of the iconic 1980s "Frankie Says" statements.
Here's a selection from the many thoughtful, fun and creative contributions:
"Be Strong! Be Confident! Be You" "Tell me wot you want, wot you really, really want!" "Read more books" "You are unique and wonderful" We also had some stunning graphics, including this one showing a rose among thorns.
A Poem for Every Year
Our Heritage Project volunteer, Angela Marshall is also a poet. She's set herself the task of writing a poem themed around every year covered by our Across the Decades Events. Here are her next five poems:
1986
I can now stand side by side with a man on the factory line.
knowing we are both now equal to some extent,
and perhaps only by the law that was set.
The sex discrimination act ruled clearly,
restrictions which were in place are now abolished.
Permits for women’s working hours are now no longer required.
I can work overtime if I wish, providing like for like, for my family.
No longer restricted to work only Monday to Saturday.
Like a man, I can now earn more, when I can.
I am also now not allowed to be compulsory retired.
My earning potential should not be restricted by my gender.
Although I wonder what the long term impact of this change will be.
1987
A reliable
baseline income for working
mothers introduced?
1988
Lesbian activists storm the live BBC news
Protesting against the section 28 legislation
Prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality
Schools no longer teaching acceptability
Protesting against the section 28 legislation
Feeling unsafe to be identified as lesbian or gay
Schools no longer teaching acceptability
Homophobic bullying as not identified as wrong
Feeling unsafe to be identified as lesbian or gay
A moral panic ensued leading to new legislation
Homophobic bullying not identified as wrong
Censorship and silencing of LGBT communities
A moral panic ensued leading to new legislation
Prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality
Censorship and silencing of LGBT communities
Lesbian activists storm the live BBC news
1989
Women had long since provided assistance in war
and in 1949 the Women’s Royal Air Force was reborn.
It’s intention to be integrated with with the main RAF,
subject to the same terms and conditions and disciplinary code.
Yet women could not take on a combatant role,
providing support, fully from the ground.
Some rose through the ranks to lead the way,
but still women were still banned from flying.
Forty years from its inception,
women were allowed to commence their training,
leading to the first steps taken towards
breaking the blanket ban on women in aviation.
1990
There once was a woman in a man’s occupation,
Yet for her sex, she provided near total alienation.
She was a woman not for turning
Her politics were often concerning,
Prompting many celebrations upon her resignation.
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