An exhibition examining women’s struggle for the vote has attracted national media attention from the likes of politician-turned-journalist Michael Portillo.

Dying for the Vote, which opened at Bourne Hall, in Spring Street, Ewell, last Tuesday, marks the centenary of the death of suffragette Emily Davison, killed when she ran out in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913. 

The exhibition also examines the suffragette movement in Surrey and celebrates the granting of votes to women in 1928. 

Museum curator Jeremy Harte said a number of radio stations have requested interviews on the exhibition in its first week, including Tory politician and history graduate Michael Portillo, who visited Bourne Hall to record a piece for a Radio 4 feature on life during 1913.

Mr Harte said: "Michael Portillo was going round the exhibition case by case and then we had intervals where we discussed the most interesting items and stories.

"He was delighted with the exhibition, especially the original material like Sergeant Bunn’s notebook. 

"Sergeant Bunn was a police officer present when Emily Davison ran onto the racecourse at the Epsom Derby and he wrote an accident report.

"In some ways, the report is a more reliable source than the film footage of that time because he was right there in the crowd and had his eye directly on the racecourse at that moment."

The notebook is just one of a number of authentic and historical items which are on display in the exhibition, including a parliamentary grille - an ornate metal frame which was used to separate the Ladies’ Gallery in the House of Commons from the floor of the house. 

Mr Harte said that it was from behind this grille, that the suffragettes used a fishing rod to lower a petition demanding votes for women in front of the speaker of the house, who stood next to the grille.  They then handcuffed themselves to the grille, which had to be removed. 

The grille, which is on loan to the museum from the archives of the Palace of Westminster, is proving particularly popular with visitors to the exhibition.

He said: "It is a lovely piece of evidence with a story which is a great mix of political earnestness and something resembling a high school prank."

He added: "Hundreds of people have already come to the exhibition and we’re getting very good feedback."

Dying for the Vote runs until July 27, from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.  Admission is free.

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