Ethel Leach

Leach grew up in Great Yarmouth and married an ironmonger, the couple sharing a commitment to radical politics.

School provision in the area was then poor, and she championed kindergarten methods of teaching younger children.

[1] Leach discovered that a pupil at the local industrial school had been hit with a trowel and organised a public enquiry into the matter.

[1] Leach's many achievements attracted widespread attention; she was elected to the committee of the National Educational Association, and lectured for the Land and Labour League.

However, the clerk of the board, a Mr Palmer, opposed her activities, refusing her access to his office to view minutes of meetings.

Leach took the opportunity to call a public enquiry into his conduct; Palmer was only reprimanded, but his mental health suffered and he was remanded to an asylum.