Events in Somerset mark International Women’s Day

The Business Women In group, a UK-wide networking company that builds on the strength of women’s knowledge, experience, connection, and support has joined this year’s Women’s Day theme ‘Break the Stigma’.

The group will also hold a meeting in Bridgwater on Wednesday, March 9 from 10am to noon.

A spokesperson for the group said: “BWi runs local in-person and online Meet-Ups for our members to connect and showcase their business to a diverse group of women.

“Our meet-ups are the most supportive, cost-effective, and flexible way to network and learn.”

The Taunton in-person Meet Up will be held at The Ibis in Bridgewater and hosted by our BWi member Theresa Kelly on Wednesday, March 9 between 10am-12pm. The meet-ups cost £10.


Founder Michelle Eddahar

Frome Town Council has scheduled several events to mark the day.

Frome will be hosting a spectrum of events supporting International Women’s Day which takes place today, Tuesday, March 8.

From a new exhibition, lightning talks, a pop-up stall, and a Plastic Free Period launch event at the Town Hall, a sample of events are explored below:

• Frome Museum The town’s museum reopens in 2022 with a new exhibition starting on March 8th called ‘Celebrated Women of Frome’.

It will feature 10 women who have a strong connection to Frome and are celebrated in their own fields, including the town's only ever female MP, an educational reformer who received an OBE for her work, and a pioneering photographer whose images shocked the world.

The exhibition will run until July, more details can be found here: https://frome-heritage-museum.org/women-of-frome

• Frome Families for Future Local community group Frome Families for Future will be running a pop-up stall outside Ellenbray from 10am – 2pm on Tuesday, March 8. Stop by the stall for fun activities and games to get you thinking about how you can help make a difference to our planet.

As well as supporting Frome Town Council's initiative to encourage a switch to reusable and ecologically friendly period products. Further details of the group can be found at: https://www.fromefamiliesforthefuture.com/

• IWD Lightning Talks. Local entrepreneur Dawn Denton hosts an evening of inspiration and womanhood.

Dawn has curated a group of women in Frome to celebrate International Women’s Day with 5-minute Lightning Talks: 6 women, 6 stories.

The sessions will take place at the Cornerhouse at 7pm, it's free to attend, just arrive in plenty of time to grab a drink and soak up the evening.
If you fancy sharing your story, please contact Dawn for a slot: dawn@dawnadenton.com.
Follow Dawn’s Facebook page for further details: https://www.facebook.com/dawnadeledenton

• Plastic Free.
Period Can Frome become a Plastic Free.Period town? This free event will explore mainstream period products’ impact on health and the environment and offer sustainable alternatives.

Cecilia Allon, an Environmenstrual Ambassador for Women’s Environmental Network will discuss the pros and cons of each and answer any questions there will also be sample products on hand for guests to learn more about. It will take place at the Town Hall on Wednesday, March 9 from 7 – 8.30pm or you can attend online.

Taking the Plastic Free.Period pledge will give you access to a number of discount codes for sustainable products and also enter you into a draw to win a free pair of period pants.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/plasticfree-period

Cllr Anita Collier said: “I’m thrilled to see so many activities taking place on this important date in the calendar. The day is about highlighting and celebrating women and it’s great to see a variety of events and sessions taking place, that everyone is welcome to take part in.”

Keep an eye out on the Discover Frome Facebook page for further events that will be popping up, including an exciting ‘Mother Maker’ market at Discover Frome which will showcase emerging local talented makers. Plus, a brunch at the River House to celebrate the day.

This year’s official IWD day theme is to break the bias by celebrating women's achievement, raising awareness against bias, and acting for equality.

Further information and a whole host of resources are available on the IWD website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

The Choir of Wells Cathedral performed the World Premiere of composer Anna Semple’s new work In Omnia.


Anna Semple

This new piece has been commissioned by the Cathedral Commissions of Wells Cathedral In Anna’s own biography, it is written that: “Anna's work is primarily engaged with her interests in music and gender and explores processes of embodiment (both in performance and writing) as a way of subverting the classic mind vs body/masculine vs feminine dichotomy and she enjoys experimenting with the ways in which the things we see and feel can be communicated with sonic immediacy.”