Shepton Mallet research into overlooked women from the town's past has received national recognition after being selected for Ancestry's new campaign, The Missing Page. The campaign was launched in London on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, and features work linked to the Historic England Blue Plaques Project.

The Shepton Ladies project, carried out by local volunteers and historians, has helped put Annie Wainwright Hyatt and Louie Horwood among 25 women identified by Ancestry as deserving greater recognition in England's historical story. Ancestry approached the Historic England Blue Plaque project for permission to use research gathered locally, recognising both the quality of the work and the importance of the stories uncovered.

The Missing Page campaign forms part of Ancestry's new framework, The Parity Principle, which aims to ensure women from the past are recognised and celebrated for their contributions to society. Its launch included a public installation in London highlighting women whose achievements have been underrepresented in historical records.

Ancestry says its research found that men are mentioned more than four times as often as women in UK Key Stage 3 history textbooks. It also says more than half of the public admit they are more confident naming male historical figures than female ones.

A personal link to the Shepton Mallet story came through Selina Vickers, a descendant of Annie Wainwright Hyatt, who attended the London launch. She was the only family representative present among all the women featured in the campaign.

Selina said: "It was all very surreal but so good to be there. I was the only relative of any of the women they had featured. My dad and aunt would have been so proud to see all this."

The recognition underlines the role of local history projects in bringing hidden stories back into public view. Through the Historic England Blue Plaque Research Project, residents have been encouraged to research and celebrate the lives of people who helped shape Shepton Mallet's history.

Shepton Mallet Town Council has now launched workshops to continue researching new local heroes. Residents interested in getting involved can contact the town council and ask for Laura Miller; the email address supplied in the press material appears to contain a typo.

advertisement

More local stories

• Shepton Mallet weekend offers repairs, art, cream tea and a very useful excuse to get out
• Shepton Mallet crime reports fall in April

Subscribe to the free Shepton Mallet Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Shepton Mallet stories straight to your inbox.