On June 4th, 1913, the dedicated suffragette Emily Wilding Davison arrived at the Epsom Derby, planning to raise attention to women’s suffrage by putting a Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) scarf on the King’s horse. She stepped onto the course during the race, and unfortunately, the King’s horse ran over her. She died four days later. Recent analysis of the case shows it was fortunate that she miscalculated the situation rather than intending to kill herself. On June 8th, 2013, the 100th anniversary of her death, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in tribute to her legacy at Epsom Down Racecourse. This significant event marked the inception of the Emily Davison Memorial Project, championed by Sarah Dewing. The project faced some obstacles and faded but was renewed in 2018 with the grand commemoration of the centenary milestone, honoring a century of women securing the right to vote. The Emily Davison Memorial Project chose the artist Christine Charlesworth MRBS SWA, who depicted Davison wearing the hat she wore at the Epsom Derby, sitting on a bench, chatting with the visitor who will join her; a pile of her favorite books lay next to her and on top is a mortar board which she wore on suffragette marches. The statue was dedicated on June 8th, 2021, in the Epsom marketplace in the presence of family members, Emily Davison Memorial Project’s members, and the community. Emily Wilding Davison (1872-1913) was a well-educated teacher who joined the WSPU in 1906. Soon, she became one of the most militant and committed suffragettes. She got arrested several times, went on hunger strikes, and was force-fed several times. Her funeral was organized by the WSPU and attended by thousands of people. She was buried in the family plot in Morpeth, Northumberland. A statue of her was dedicated at Carlisle Park in Morpeth in 2018, just a short walk from her grave. Read more...

In her hometown of Reigate stands a statue of Margot Fonteyn, the first homegrown English prima ballerina. Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) was born Margaret Evelyn Hookham in Reigate, England. As a child, she started learning ballet, and when the family moved to China, she trained with Russian teacher George Goncharov. On her return to England at 14, the ballerina and chirographer Ninette de Valois spotted Fonteyn, inviting her to join the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (later renamed the Royal Ballet). Soon, she rose to become the leading dancer in the company, performing principal roles such as Giselle, Swan Lake, and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, which was considered the best interpretation of the time. In addition to the classical repertoire, several new roles were created especially for her by choreographer Frederick Ashton, who considered her his muse. These include Cinderella, Sylvia, and Ondine, her most memorable performance. In 1954, at 35, she was nominated to the Royal Academy of Dancing president. Two years later, she received the honorary title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In the late 70s, Fonteyn gradually retired from dancing and turned to television presentations and writing, publishing a biography and several books on dancing. In 1979, at 60, she was pronounced by Queen Elizabeth II as a prima ballerina assoluta, one of the rarest and most prestigious honors in ballet. She remained active in the dancing world until she died at 71. The Margot Fonteyn Statue outside Watson House was commissioned by her fans and created by sculptor Nathan David. She unveiled it herself in 1980. Her sculpture depicts her dancing as the water sprite in Ondine, one of her favorite parts. Consider visiting other historical sites in Reigate, such as Reigate caves, Reigate Priory, and the Wray Common Windmill. Read more...