SUFFRAGETTE spirit returned to Heaton Park this afternoon – 110 years on from a huge rally attended by more than 50,000 people.

On July 19, 1908, tens of thousands of female suffrage activists gathered in the park, where they were addressed by the Suffragette leader and pioneering proponent of militancy, Emmeline Pankhurst.

To the backdrop of one of the organisation’s iconic purple banners, emblazoned with the words "Manchester — first in the fight", Mrs Pankhurst reminded onlookers that the city was the birthplace of the Women's Social and Political Union.

Founded by Mrs Pankhurst, from Moss Side, and her daughters in 1903, the WSPU was known for its direct action and civil disobedience, espousing the motto "Deeds, not words."

The crowd then paraded through the park and Mrs Pankhurst, imbuing her organisation's spirit, halted a tram running along the tracks through the park.

To celebrate the centenary of votes for women and commemorate 110 years since the rally, a special event was held in the park at 2pm this afternoon.

A re-enactment of the parade started out from the boating lake and members of Manchester-based enJOY arts group, who were dressed in traditional WSPU clothing and colours, led members of the public through the park to the Middleton Road tram depot.

There, the famous moment Mrs Pankhurst stopped the tram — on the original tramlines which still remain in place – was then recreated.

Those gathered were also entertained by Herizons, a female music collective, who performed a set of newly written protest songs.

Following the event, Naomi Chastin, from enJOY arts, said: “It is very important to remember the rally because it is something important nationally that happened locally.

“With it being a century since women were awarded the right to vote, it is important for people in Manchester to feel connected to the bigger picture.”

Keith Whitmore, chairman of the Heaton Park Tramway, who helped to organise the event, added: “We are absolutely delighted with how the event went and the fact people got into the spirit of it.

“We managed to recreate something that happened 110 years ago on the very spot, on the very track with the same tram.”