We Have Done It!!!

In less than 3 years, in September 2020, The Emily Davison Memorial Project is thrilled that in less than three years since the project was relaunched we have been able to reach an important milestone where we reached our target to install the statue of Emily in Epsom Market Place.

The statue will finally recognise her importance to both the heritage of Epsom and Ewell and the fight for gender equality. In addition, it will contribute to our growing recognition of women’s contributions to society and our history in general, and that of the suffragette movement in particular.

This momentous milestone is thanks to a significant degree to the generous support of Go Epsom, at a time when many of us, including local businesses, have been experiencing unprecedented financial pressures. We are very grateful to them and for all the incredible support we have received.

“Go Epsom is so pleased to be playing a part in commemorating Emily Wilding Davison. At a moment when the role of statues is being re-examined and the arts are suffering so much from the Covid 19 pandemic, Epsom is confidently erecting a statue to a female who fought tirelessly for enfranchisement. As with all art, it will stimulate debate, it will attract visitors to Epsom and stand as a memorial to all the suffragettes who fought for basic rights that today, we take for granted. To unveil it on International Women’s Day seems completely appropriate.

The memorial will be a permanent symbol, not only of the important part Epsom and Ewell played in the history of the campaign for voting rights for women in the UK, but also of Emily herself and the major role that she played within the suffragette movement, which can now be rightfully commemorated. She will also be adding to the increasing numbers of more diverse and positive statues around the UK.”

Karen Pengelly, Go Epsom BID Manager

Artist Christine Charlesworth has started work on the statue and we will be showing you the progress over the coming months.

Of course, the donations from Go Epsom, Epsom & Ewell Council, Surrey County Council, Lionel Blackman, Epsom & Ewell Labour Party, Radical Tea Towel Company and Epsom Civic Society have been amazing, but the contributions from the hundreds of you who have donated online or at events we have attended have been just as significant. Without them we could not have reached our target. So from all of us at the Emily Davison Memorial Project we want to say a very big THANK YOU to you all.

Remember to Save the Date Monday 8th March 2021, International Women’s Day, Epsom Market Place. time to be confirmed.