Joan Tuckett was born in 1895. She was one of the earliest female solicitors in Bristol as well as being a writer and campaigner.  Both Joan and her younger sister Angela Tuckett became solicitors, as did their brother Coldstream. Their aunt, Enid Stacy, was an English socialist activist and it is likely that Enid introduced Joan to socialism. 

Solicitor, playwright, theatre founder, campaigner

Joan led a very busy life and fitted a lot in around her job as a solicitor. She was the second female solicitor in Bristol, with her sister Angela beating her to being the first.

In 1936 she established the Unity Players Club. She produced the work of the Unity Players' Club, performing at the left-wing Unity Theatre which she founded. Along with her sister Angela she wrote plays on women's rights including:

• The Bulls see Red
• Passing unnoticed
• Smash and Grab
• Aiden & Abetten
• Charity begins

The theatre troupe continued to produce and perform all the way through the Second World War. Joan was also a member of the League of Progressive Writers. In the 1940s she was among the main supporter of the campaign to save the Georgian Theatre Royal in Bristol.

Sadly as Joan's health began to fail the club folded in 1946. Her sister wrote about the Unity theatre in a pamphlet called The People's Theatre in Bristol 1930-1945.

Personal Life

In the early 20th century Joan met Doris Kathleen Flinn and by 1920 Flinn had moved to Bristol. In 1923 Flinn was living at Joan Tuckett's family home 5 Beaufort Buildings, Clifton, Bristol. They were both good friends with artist Doris Brabham Hatt and her partner teacher Margery Mack Smith.   

In 1930 Joan and Doris purchased a house called The Rookery where they lived there together until Tuckett's death on 31 August 1957. Flinn continued to live at The Rookery until her own's death in 1977.

At Joan's funeral her elegy referred to a 'friendship of 40 years' with Flinn. Although it cannot be completely confirmed, it seems very likely that Joan and Doris were in a committed relationship.

Lawyer, Athlete, Aviator, Woman

In addition to the theatre company, both Flinn and Tuckett and Angela were active Communists. When not working at the theatre or campaigning, Flinn, Joan and Angela Tuckett were also international hockey players and trained pilots.

In 1925 Flinn made a plaster model from Joan's head for a piece she sculpted in 1935 called 'Lawyer, Athlete, Aviator, Woman'.  It is likely that this piece refers to Joan's many and varied achievements and interests.

Death

Joan Tuckett died on 31st August 1957 and was cremated at Arnos Vale Cemetery. Her ashes were scattered in Garden of Rest number 2.