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A statue of former long-term resident and leading suffragette, Dame Ethel Smyth, was unveiled in Woking Town Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March).
Located in the newly pedestrianised Dukes Plaza, the official unveiling saw the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Liam Lyons, joined by invited guests including distant relatives of Dame Ethel, artist Christine Charlesworth, academics and councillors celebrate her life and recognise the important work she did for women’s rights and equality.
During the unveiling, local Intergenerational Music Making Choir, performed “March of the Woman”, a song originally composed by Dame Ethel. This was followed by a performance by adult choir, Corra Sound directed by Dr Amy Beddington.
Cllr Ayesha Azad, Leader of the Council, said: “I am extremely proud to commemorate Dame Ethel’s positive work towards women’s rights by unveiling this beautiful sculpture, which will remain a permanent fixture in Woking.
“This tribute reflects our combined commitment to equality and will stand tall in the newly pedestrianised Dukes Plaza for generations to come. Dame Ethel’s extraordinary achievements on women’s equality remains just as influential today and it did almost 100 years ago.
“The legacy of her actions and achievements are an inspiration to our community and women across the world. It is a pleasure to be able to honour her life in this way. I invite Woking residents to come and see the larger-of-life statue and be inspired.”
Responsible for designing and making the sculpture was the very talented, local artist Christine Charlesworth from Milford.
Talking about the intricate design, Christine explained: “Ethel stands, wearing her usual tweed skirt, enthusiastically conducting passers-by with her over-sized baton, as presented to her at the Royal Albert Hall by Emeline Pankhurst.
“Her jacket is half open, her arms are beating out the time and her eyes are full of concentration as she battles with her hearing loss, which went completely in her 50’s.
“Also detailed in her pocket is a sheaf of paper which could be ideas for a new opera, or maybe notes for a new book, as well as sketches and polemical essays.”
Dame Ethel was an inspirational composer, author, sportswoman and suffragette who lived in Hook Heath, Woking, from 1910 until her death in 1944.
A well-regarded author on musical matters and women’s rights, publishing music and 10 books in her lifetime, all written whilst living in Woking, as well as a vigorous campaigner for the recognition of women’s contribution to the arts.
As a keen cricket player and golfer, she put her skills to use and trained Emeline Pankhurst and other suffragettes to throw stones and opened up her Woking home as a ‘safe house’ for those who needed to rest and recover from being on hunger strike in prison.
She called this house ‘Coign’ which was awarded a blue plaque in 2018 to commemorate her residence.
Dame Ethel’s statue will join the rich trail of public art that brightens the streets of the Town Centre including, world famous sci-fi author H.G. Wells, cricket heroes Eric and Alex Bedser, and Team GB Paralympian Ade Adepitan MBE (also created by Christine Charlesworth).
The statue is the culmination of the multi-million-pound Woking integrated transport highway improvement project.
For more information on Dame Ethel Smythe, visit: www.celebratewoking.info