CHARD residents are “delighted” after being told that one of the town’s heroes, equal votes campaigner and first female cabinet minister, Margaret Bondfield, has been recognised for her hard work.

Mrs Bondfield was among the first 45 people to be named as part of the Women’s Local Government Society’s suffrage pioneers scheme.

Trustees from Chard museum have spoken about how inspirational it is is to have such a character come from the town.

Gwyneth Jackson said: “Obviously we are really delighted she has become one of the most influential. She is one of the town's heroes really.

“There are a lot of people who nothing about her, maybe apart from that she was the first female cabinet minister, but really it was her work with the trade unions that was so important.

“She was more about the working class people, including the men at that time because working class men didn’t have the vote either.

“She wanted real voting equality for everyone.”

So far, 45 men and women have been named as part of the WLGS project, with more names yet to be announced.

But the trustees hope Margaret Bondfield’s story will spread wider than their exhibit.

Doreen Toms said: “Having always lived in Chard and going to school in Chard, we always learnt about her. She was quite a character.

“I am hoping Chard Town Council will take this on too.”

The museum’s chairman Vince Lean added: “This is about the whole town, not just the museum.

“In those days it was an incredibly male dominated place that she was going to fight.”

Mrs Bondfield was nominated by Chard North county councillor Amanda Broom.

She said: “Her career would be inspiring today. To realise she did all this 100 years ago when the world was very different is breathtaking.

“Her story is so inspirational, I think she is the reason I became interested in politics.”