Hey, you, get off of my course

This is the main entrance to the London School of Economics where Mick Jagger enrolled in 1961 for a degree course having achieved the required grades in his A levels at Dartford Grammar School. That was the year I started at Dartford Grammar School  and my first school magazine, which I still have, has a photo of the school basketball team with a very recognisable M.P.Jagger standing in the back row. Of course, having bumped into his old primary school chum, Keith, at Dartford station Mick never went on to finish his degree course choosing instead to risk the prospects of a good career by pursuing his musical ambitions. Which brings me to where I shall be in a week's time - attending the Stones' concert in Hyde Park. The last time I saw them in Hyde Park was the free concert they gave in July 1969 just 48 hours after the death of Brian Jones. Mick wore a white frock coat, quoted Shelley and released a  throng of butterflies. The extra photo commemorates the Women's Social and Political Union - the suffragettes - whose headquarters were on the current LSE site at 4 Clement's Inn, Strand. The WSPU effectively suspended its militant campaigning during the First World War  and was dissolved in 1918. Women played a vital part in keeping the country running during the war although it was only women over 30 who met minimum property qualifications who were allowed to vote as a result of the Representation of the People Act in 1918. The franchise was not extended to all women (and men) over 21 until 1928.