I recently had the privilege of organising Eastbourne’s International Women’s Day along with other members of the Women’s Branch in Eastbourne and I just wanted to share how appreciative I personally am by the generosity and kindness that many local people showed.
As the host for the afternoon it was my job to welcome everyone and once I had shared the practical arrangements for thr day I gladly introduce our wonderful MC Lauren Varnfield who manages the Rialto Theatre in Brighton. Opening remarks where then delivered by the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Steve Wallis who referenced that despite women being a half of the population their representation in the current cabinet and as CEO’s today is still far too low. He then talked about how days such as International Women’s Day are a great opportunity for us all to celebrate the achievements of women locally and globally
The exhibition was then opened whilst Glen Richardson, the Human Jukebox played in the background while guests could enjoy a range of activities such as colouring in with children, painting money banks and making sock puppets with East Sussex Credit Union and learning how hoola hoop and other circus skills were done with Community Stuff.
Children also enjoyed having their faces painted by Lets Go Loopy Face painting.
There was also a range of activities for adults such as drawing their own self portraits, writing on the pledge wall some of the things they would like to achieve throughout 2020 and enjoying some of the delicious food and drinks prepared by I Am Fighting Fit, Deliciously Gorgeous and of course the Women’s Branch tea and coffee station and fizz bar!
Singer Tina Abbot soon joined Glenn Richardson and she was a sensation with the crowd!
Eloise Keyte, Managing Director of Keyte Legal then joined the stage to talk about her personal story after being dianogsed with Crohns Disease 15 years ago and some of the adversity she has overcome along with how she has juggled family life with a career.
Next up were an over 50’s dancing group the Venton Vipers. So called as they originally met at Age Concern’s Venton Centre in Eastbourne. They performed several dances and had a range of different, colourful and bright costumes which the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy.
Laurie Wilkinson ‘The Psychy Poet’ then began to share his selection of poetry around the theme of celebrating women shortly followed by Karen Turner, Life and Career Coach from 22 Coaching and Consulting who gave us all some tips on how coaching can positiviity impact your mental health
During the afternoon we also enjoyed a Martial Arts demonstration from Nikki Fair who showed the audience how to defend yourself in an attempted assault which was visually magnificent.
The room then filled with laughter as comedian Cat Nielson from Brighton entertained us with stories of being a woman.
Throughout the afternoon visitors took part in the lucky dip game, name the dog and raffle prizes which were drawn at the end of the afternoon and a big thank you to those organisations who so generously donated a range of the following prizes:
• 1 hours free cleaning with BP Cleaning Services.
• A delicious fish and chip supper for 2 from the Dolphin Fish and Chip Restaurant.
• Two Cineworld cinema tcikets with large sharing combo kindly donated by Counting Starts Digital.
• A marvellous meal for 2 at the Marine Pub.
• A fabulous gel manicture with Sassy Sara’s Nails and Beauty.
• 1 week’s diet products and support from 1:1 Diet.
• A 1 hour holistic treatment from Natalie Scialo.
• A meal for 2 at the Crown and Anchor.
• 2 Tickets for the Brighton Fringe show at the Rialto theatre in Brighton.
• 6 bottles of Prosecco donated by the Eastbourne Women’s Branch.
• A luxurious spa day for 2 at the superb Grand Hotel.
It was also a pleasure to welcome some Irish Dancers from the Rattonians and Eastbourne Dance Space who both game an enjoyable performance to celebrate and enjoy the talents from many girls and women in Eastbourne.
Victoria Sparks, founder of Muma Nurture shared her story on how she set up her local charity to help women cope with problems around fertility, pregnancy and loss. Jessica Roper, English kickboxing champion) then talked to us on what she is doing to empower women to get involved in sport in addition to a short demonstration with her mother!
There was still time for guests to enjoy and buy a range of products including Brighton based charity the Kanji Project who support communities in Tamil Nadu, India, along with Upcycled, recycled, fashionable clothes with Beauty Loves Beads and Sara Cooper’s home made slippers and accessories.
Visitors also took part in creating their own pebble art with Mel’s Pebble pictures, enjoyed a massage with Natalie Scialo, sampled a variety of Skincare from Ligita Ozgun and talked to many other stalls that attended.
I must have spoken with many of the hundreds of people throughout the afternoon and was overwhelmed by the amount of positive feedback and experiences that people had shared at this free event in Eastbourne since, in messages of encouragement and thanks I have received daily
It was great to see so many men, women and children enjoy themselves throughout the day and come together as community set aside any differences and enjoy spending time with each other. The photograph below with myself, the Mayor and Caroline Ansell our MP could not better represent this very theme of unity together as we celebrated women and really represented my own hopes for the day, and my special thanks to both of them for their warm support and encouragement and all they do each day as they tirlessly work for our town.
The great news is we have a number of other events and meetings coming up and I’d suggest you please check our website out before you come along just in case we have to make any last minute changes due to the restrictions being rolled out around in response to the threat of Covid 19.
These events are being hosted by the Women’s Branch headed up by our elected joint Women’s Officers Geraldine Rolfe and Kate Varnfield in order to meet with and encourage more women to get involved in their local community.
You can view more information about these events on: www.womensconference.co.uk.
