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Chichester Women's History

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2026

Tuesday 20 January 2026 14:00
Tuesday 17 November 2026 00:00

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'Pioneering Women Artists in Roaring 20s Paris'

If you’ve ever wandered through Chichester’s Butter Market in North Street, you’ll have walked in the footsteps of Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner.

A talented artist, Madge studied at the new Chichester School of Art, ope

If you’ve ever wandered through Chichester’s Butter Market in North Street, you’ll have walked in the footsteps of Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner. A talented artist, Madge studied at the new Chichester School of Art, opened in 1900 when a second floor was added to the Butter Market to house the city’s new technical institute and art school. In 2023, @ChichesterCityCouncil agreed to install a blue plaque in her honour. Now, the Madge Turner Statue Appeal, a registered charity, is working to ensure her legacy stands tall - with local sculptor @KateVinerArt commissioned to create a bronze statue of Madge. Of the £75,000 needed, around £13,000 has already been raised. Help us honour Madge and bring her story back to life in Chichester. Link in bio to donate. . . . . #HERstorySussex #MadgeTurner #Chichester #ButterMarket #LocalHistory #StatueAppeal #WomensVoices #SupportLocal

The Madge Turner Flag Project isn’t just about creating art - it’s about reclaiming space, telling stories, and stitching strength into something lasting.

For the women who come to @Stonepillowcharity for support, this collaboration is

The Madge Turner Flag Project isn’t just about creating art - it’s about reclaiming space, telling stories, and stitching strength into something lasting. For the women who come to @Stonepillowcharity for support, this collaboration is a moment to pause, reflect, and be seen. In workshops at Chichester Cathedral, they’ve come together to create, connect, and turn lived experience into something powerful and visible - a flag dedicated to women's suffrage. It’s a reminder that freedom can start in small, quiet acts - a thread, a word, a shared story - and that when women stand together, those threads become unbreakable. . . . #MadgeTurnerFlag #HerSussexStory #Stonepillow #WomensVoices #CommunityArt #ChichesterCharities #FreedomFlag #MadgeTurner #WomenSupportingWomen #CreativityForChange

Introducing the women leading the campaign to honour Ethel Margaret ‘Madge’ Turner.

Francesca Tambling, founder of Chichester Women’s History Group and the Madge Turner Statue Appeal, is working alongside artist Kate Viner, renowne

Introducing the women leading the campaign to honour Ethel Margaret ‘Madge’ Turner. Francesca Tambling, founder of Chichester Women’s History Group and the Madge Turner Statue Appeal, is working alongside artist Kate Viner, renowned for her powerful works inspired by women, war, religion and persecution. Together, they are spearheading both the Madge Turner Flag Project and the Statue Appeal, to create public art celebrating women’s voices, resilience and freedom. . . #HerStorySussex #MadgeTurner #StatueAppeal #Chichester #WomensVoices

Who is Madge Turner?

Suffragist and campaigner for the rights of women and children, Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner was born in Chichester on 24 July 1884. Daughter of local grocers, her family ran Turner & Son on South Street.

On he

Who is Madge Turner? Suffragist and campaigner for the rights of women and children, Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner was born in Chichester on 24 July 1884. Daughter of local grocers, her family ran Turner & Son on South Street. On her mother’s side, the Light family owned a busy stationery and hardware shop in Eastgate Square - placing Madge right at the heart of the city she would go on to serve. The Madge Turner Statue Appeal is raising funds for a bronze statue by artist and sculptor @KateVinerArt to be placed in the city centre - the first ever statue of a woman in Chichester. You can donate towards this appeal via the link in our bio. . . . . #herstorysussex #madgeturner #madgeturnerappeal #womensvoices #sussexwomen

Today, the Madge Turner Flag Project began a new chapter.

The wonderful @katevinerart, local artist and sculptor, led the first workshop at @chicathedral, bringing women from @stonepillowcharity together in a safe and supportive space.

Workshops w

Today, the Madge Turner Flag Project began a new chapter. The wonderful @katevinerart, local artist and sculptor, led the first workshop at @chicathedral, bringing women from @stonepillowcharity together in a safe and supportive space. Workshops with @stonepillowcharity, @sanctuaryinchi, @lifecentre_uk and @mysistershouseuk will take place throughout the month at different venues, where participants will contribute their stories to co-create a collaborative textile flag. The flag will celebrate resilience, freedom, and women’s voices — inspired by Chichester suffragist Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner (1884–1948). Watch this space for updates, and tag someone who would like to follow the project’s progress. . . . #HerStorySussex #MadgeTurner #WomensVoices #Chichester 📷 @chicathedral

Projects like this are only possible through collaboration.

Led by @ChichesterWomensHistoryGroup, we're proud to be working alongside:

💛 The four charities – @SanctuaryinChi, @Lifecentre_uk, @MySistersHouseuk and @StonepillowCharity
💛 Artis

Projects like this are only possible through collaboration. Led by @ChichesterWomensHistoryGroup, we're proud to be working alongside: 💛 The four charities – @SanctuaryinChi, @Lifecentre_uk, @MySistersHouseuk and @StonepillowCharity 💛 Artist and sculptor @KateVinerArt 💛 @NoviumMuseum, where the completed flag will form a centrepiece in the ChichestHER: Their Story exhibition in October 2026 💛 And with support from @ChichesterCityCouncil and the National Lottery @HeritageFunduk Together, we’re honouring the legacy of Madge Turner and building a future where women’s voices are celebrated. Community makes change possible - comment with a 💛 to show your support for the people behind this project. . . . . #HerStorySussex #MadgeTurner #SussexWomen #StrongerTogether #CharitiesInChichester #ChichesterCulture #WomensRights #CommunityVoices

Our first chapter: The Madge Turner Flag Project

For the first time, four Chichester charities - @SanctuaryinChi, @Lifecentre_uk, @mysistershouseuk Women’s Centre and @stonepillowcharity – are coming together with artist @KateVinerArt t

Our first chapter: The Madge Turner Flag Project For the first time, four Chichester charities - @SanctuaryinChi, @Lifecentre_uk, @mysistershouseuk Women’s Centre and @stonepillowcharity – are coming together with artist @KateVinerArt to co-create a powerful textile flag. At its heart? The voices and lived experiences of women today, stitched together in tribute to Madge Turner’s fight for the rights of women and children. This is more than a flag - it’s the beginning of a lasting legacy. What does resilience mean to you? Share your thoughts below and let’s keep Madge’s legacy alive together. @chichesterwomenshistorygroup . . . . #HerStorySussex #MadgeTurner #MadgeFlagProject #DareToBeFree #WomensHistory #TextileArt #PublicArtChichester #TogetherForWomen

Welcome to @HerStorySussex

This new space celebrates Sussex women – past and present – whose stories of resilience, creativity and courage deserve to be seen and heard.

Here, we’ll share untold histories, spotlight women making c

Welcome to @HerStorySussex This new space celebrates Sussex women – past and present – whose stories of resilience, creativity and courage deserve to be seen and heard. Here, we’ll share untold histories, spotlight women making change today, and chart the journey of a new public artwork honouring Chichester-born suffragist Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner (1884–1948). Follow us to be part of a movement and tag a friend who should join the journey. . . . #HerStorySussex #MadgeTurner #SussexWomen #WomensVoices #RememberingWomen #Chichester #WestSussex #CommunityVoices

If you’ve ever wandered through Chichester’s Butter Market in North Street, you’ll have walked in the footsteps of Ethel Margaret “Madge” Turner.

A talented artist, Madge studied at the new Chichester School of Art, ope

Introducing the women leading the campaign to honour Ethel Margaret ‘Madge’ Turner.

Francesca Tambling, founder of Chichester Women’s History Group and the Madge Turner Statue Appeal, is working alongside artist Kate Viner, renowne

Find us @HerStorySussex