WAND is thrilled to extend their invitation to you to participate in this year’s Dorset Women’s Week which is taking place from Saturday 5th March.
There are lots of fantastic activities and opportunities to participate in as part of their celebration of International Women’s Day 2016!
Running from 5th March – 12th March, the week begins with a performance from Rosemary Hawthorne – aka the Knicker Lady! Rosemary, much loved actress, fashion historian and author, will be bringing her famous collection of knickers and other things to the Brownsword Hall in Poundbury (Dorchester) on Saturday the 5th March from 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Rosemary is happy to amuse, as she lifts each spry or weary vintage garment (it could be a hat, dress, bag, pair of boots, vest… suspenders) and, holding them aloft, makes a passing comment that has an audience in fits of laughter.
As a special treat – and in homage to the location of the event, Rosemary will even have a pair of knickers worn by Prince Charles’s great great great grandmother – Queen Victoria herself to share with her viewers!
Rosemary Hawthorne has been described as ‘The Joyce Grenfell of Knickers’ and as ‘…having the style and timing of pure comic genius’.
Tickets cost £12 – see end for how to purchase.
Other Dorset Women’s Week activities include: the opportunity to visit the Dorset History Centre and discover some surprising stories of women who have lived and worked in Dorset. You are also invited to a friendly evening session at the Winterbourne Hospital when you can get free advice and information on a range of women’s health issues. Or you could attend an empowering workshop to build your body confidence, join a stress busting workshop and learn techniques to manage your stress levels. Perhaps you would like to learn how to craft a beautiful necklace or spend an afternoon watching the film Suffragette. WAND also encourage you to join in with a very relaxing yoga class, attend a talk to hear the reflections of a female chief constable or join a unique session where you can develop your assertiveness skills through working with horses. If music is more your thing there is an inspiring concert programmed with singer-song writer Magdalena Atkinson. Plus you could take part in an uplifting guided nature walk with the RSPB or participate in some really super sports and leisure activities in Gillingham, Portland or Sherborne.
Dorset Women’s Week culminates with the 11thannual Dorset Women’s Day to be hosted by WAND! This will take place at the Dorford Centre Dorchester on Saturday 12 March from 10am – 3.30pm. Regular attenders of the event will know that it offers something for everyone and this year is no exception. The day will be packed with a varied and exciting range of workshops and including: photography, crochet, mindfulness, jewellery making, laughter yoga, painting, singing and card making. PlusGabriela Lerner, established Raw Food Nutrition and Health Coach will introduce you to the amazing health benefits of raw food and how you can easily integrate raw food into your diet.
A highlight for this year which WAND is delighted to share is that the esteemed author and broadcaster, Kate Adie who became a familiar figure to viewers through her work as BBC Chief News Correspondent, will be giving a talk entitled “A Correspondent’s Life”. Kate will share with her audience insights into her career, including how she came into journalism and key and historic moments she has faced.
There will also be a chance to ask Kate questions relating to her talk plus WAND will have a range of her books on sale which Kate will be happy to sign for you. Places are limited for this talk so you will need to reserve a seat in advance – see end for how to do this.
Also at Dorset Women’s Day there will be a range of stallholders promoting everything relating to womanhood with the opportunity to find some wonderful hand made items.
And following the success of last year, the RUMMAGE ROOM is back again! This is an opportunity for people to donate any unwanted woman’s clothes, accessorises and books (all clean and in good condition) and pick up something new to you. Proceeds will go to WAND to support other events.
WAND patron Tracey West – broadcaster and author says“as a proud Patron of WAND You have no idea how excited I am that this year’s Dorset Women’s Day is upon us. In recent months, I have been personally reminded of how hard it can be to dust yourself down from a painful past and to find your mojo again. Rising up above a difficult situation that you are seemingly unable to influence, is exhausting – I am sure our special guest this year, Kate Adie, will testify to that – but rise up above it you must. Dorset Women’s Week offers a crash course on precisely how to do it. You need a sprinkling of uplifting friends and sisterly support, you need creative projects and free workshops to immerse yourself in and kindred spirits within your circle who will not judge you. You need a boost to your self esteem and to believe in yourself again – get involved in Dorset Women’s Week and feast on the positive energy that surrounds it! I look forward to seeing you there”.
Admission to Dorset Women’s Day is free and is open to women of all ages and backgrounds. There is a small charge for some of the workshops.
Free crèche facilities will be available together with the opportunity to purchase delicious home-made cakes and refreshments lovingly prepared by WAND volunteers.
You can find the full programme for all of the Dorset Women’s Week activities on the WAND website at www.wandwomen.org.uk
To book a ticket for the Knicker Lady go to www.theknickerlady.eventbrite.co.uk or to book a free ticket for the Kate Adie talk go to www.kateadie-dorsetwomensday.eventbrite.co.uk
If you cannot go online call Emma Scott on 01305 252204
For other Dorset Women’s Week activities please check the programme and contact the organisers directly.
Please note that free hard copies of the programme will also be available from the following locations:
- Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and other local Libraries
- Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centres
- Bridport Arts Centre
- Dorchester Town Council
- Bridport Town Council
- West Dorset District Council
- Sherborne Town Council
- Oxley Sports Centre – Sherborne
- Riversmeet Leisure Centre – Gillingham
- Waterstones – Dorchester
- Local Village Halls
- Other locations – keep your eyes peeled!
