the idea for the march was first put forward by katherine harley at an nuwss subcommittee meeting in london on 17 april 1913. plans were rapidly drawn up, and publicised through the nuwss newsletter "common cause", for six routes along which marchers would converge on london for a rally in hyde park on 26 july 1913. these were named the great north route (from newcastle and east anglia); the watling street route (from carlisle, manchester and north wales); the west country route (from land's end and south wales); the bournemouth route; the portsmouth route; and the kentish pilgrim way.