A collection of free activity booklets is introducing families to women whose stories appear in Cheshire’s archives.
The 22 Women project, created by artist Cath Campbell with Cheshire Archives, combines local history with creative activities. The first 11 booklets have arrived in libraries this week, according to Cheshire West and Chester Council, with 22 planned in total.
Each booklet explores a different woman’s life and can be folded into a pop-up scene. Readers can display individual booklets or bring several together to form a carousel book.
Where to find the stories
Booklets are available through participating libraries in Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East, with different libraries hosting different stories.
The council highlights four west Cheshire locations:
- Helsby Library: Edith Fletcher, who was chosen as the village’s Rose Queen in 1911.
- Neston Library: Agnes, an enslaved woman recorded in a parish baptism register in 1826.
- Northwich Library at Weaver Hall: Florence Gleave, a First World War munitions factory worker.
- Winsford Library: Margaret Whitehurst, a cotton mill worker.
Other stories in the collection feature women associated with literature, music, dressmaking, mountaineering, firefighting and policing.
New archives centres
The project forms part of the lead-up to new Cheshire Archives centres in Chester and Crewe, which the council says are due to open in early 2027.
Library locations and further details are available through Cheshire Archives’ 22 Women project.
Source: a media release supplied by Cheshire West and Chester Council on 29 October 2026.