Event celebrates inspirational women

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM’S Town Hall was yarn-bombed recently by a craft group’s decorations to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The Barkham Hookers garlanded the town, and crocheted miniatures of noteable female figures for an event hosted by the Women’s Equality Party, Reading and Wokingham.

More than 80 people gathered at the Town Hall to hear speakers from non-for-profit organisations highlight some of the oppressions women still face in 2023, and celebrate the individuals and organisations striving to overcome them.

Louise Timlin, branch lead for the Reading and Wokingham Women’s Equality Party opened the event.

She challenged a culture in the UK that leads to a 15% gender pay gap, only 35% of MPs being women, and a woman being killed every three days by a man, in the UK.

Sarah Hacker, from Alana House, Reading, then highlighted the work her organisation is doing to support and empower women across the Thames Valley.

Alana House helps vulnerable women avoid being involved in offending behaviour that could lead to a prison sentence.

Kushinga Hare, from Refugee Support Group, shared the work her organisation is doing to

A CARE home resident was taken for a unique trip down memory lane thanks to the creativity of members of staff.

Jean Parsons, a former flight attendant, was treated to a mock airplane in Shinfield View’s lounge ‘flown’ by former British Airways pilot Kathy McDonald.

To make the experience as authentic as possible, Kathy wore her uniform, while Jean dressed as a member of the cabin crew – a role she had held for 30 years.

Laura McSoley, events manager of Shinfield View, said: “It was very uplifting to see how much Jean enjoyed using the refreshments trolley to serve drinks to her friends and how nostalgic it made her to show them how the safety equipment worked.

“It was clear to everyone that she was a natural.

“All the staff at Shinfield View are thrilled to have been able to provide Jean with a unique and memorable experience, and we are grateful to Kathy for sharing her expertise.” support refugees in Berkshire. The group supports individuals and families to rebuild their lives after escaping from war, torture and/ or modern slavery. and poet Fiona Dignan performed a work that she wrote for the event.

Then Marie Hemmingway from Speak Out Revolution explained how the group gathers and uses data on bullying and harassment in the workplace in order to change unfair working practices.

A raffle was held at the event.

The Barkham Hookers donated one of the crocheted miniatures, Emmeline Pankhurst, for the raffle, with other prizes donated by Outhouse Brewery and Cook.

Fiona Dignan also donated her poem to be made into a poster.

The raffle raised £300 which will be distributed to the three organisations who spoke at the event.

For information about the groups at the event, visit: n Alana House: www.pactcharity. org/alana-house n The Refugee Support Group: www.refugeesupportgroup.org. uk n Speak Out Revolution: www. speakoutrevolution.co.uk n Fiona Dignan: www.instagram. com/fidignanpoems n Women’s Equality Reading and Wokingham: readingandwokingham@ womensequality.org.uk n The Barkham Hookers, visit: www.facebook.com/ thebarkhamhookers

The mock plane featured a life-size printed image of a cockpit and horizon. Its cabin included six passenger seats, complete with an aisle and large printed windows residents ‘could look out of’.

After completing her inflight checks and communicating with the control tower, Kathy took the passengers on a slightly sped-up flight from Berkshire to Australia.

Staff at the care home had also prepared a drinks trolley complete with refreshments.

Once at the cruising altitude, and after the seat belt signs were off, Jean served drinks and light refreshments to her passengers.

After learning about the event, Jean’s cousin said: “These photos help to bring back some happy memories for Jean.”

The opportunity was something the home was inspired to offer the former British Airways employee after hearing about 30-year career in the skies, which saw her work on Boeing 747s and Concordes to destinations as far as Australia and New Zealand.

EAST Berkshire Operatic Society’s latest show, Woman Up had audience members standing up to applaud the all-female cast.

The show, a mix of solos, duets, trios and group numbers was a celebration, and a powerful tribute to the roles of women in musical theatre.

The audience of both men and women loved it.

In recognition of International Womens’ Day on March 8, the production was conceived by director and choreographer Sophie Horrox, with musical direction from Abi Burrows.

The show was entirely manned, or rather womanned, by a female team that carried out every aspect of the show from front of house, to design, to technical operation, scene painting, and seating construction.

Programme design, and the striking stage image, was created by Sophie’s sister, Olivia Horrox.

Performing songs from a wide variety of musical shows, the cast of 13 women filled the Pinewood Theatre in Wokingham Without, with melodies that delighted, touched, and entertained.

Sophie chose an excellent set of songs, giving her singers the opportunity to convey a colourful range of emotions, along with excellent harmonies and dance routines.

The programme included numbers from musicals including Come From Away, Hamilton, Hairspray, Six, and Made In Dagenham.

They allowed the cast to fill the stage with waves of powerful group energy and poignant, solo and duet moments.

Pieces were perfectly married to each performer’s voice, and not one of them disappointed.

But it wasn’t just a night of music – each number in the show was performed with integrity, and often, humour.

Emily Burton’s joyful and skilfully executed opening number, Me And The Sky, from Come From Away, was a jubilant start to the evening.

It set the scene, and the high bar, for all that was to come.

What followed were excellent performances from Emily Hobbs, Helen Hall, Hannah Coe, Janine Pegg, Kelly Cross, Kirsty McDougall, Natalie Hayllor, Natalie Godding, NIcola Jones, n For more information about the group, visit: www.ebos.org.uk

Nicola Morrin, Robyn Parton, and Sian Price-Marshall.

They were evidently an ensemble that loved working together.

Not only were they talented performers, but women enthusiastic to welcome the audience into their world.

The show’s strapline was Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History.

These women may not have ‘behaved well’ but their night of songs was a joyful and skilful triumph - a celebration of what it means to be a woman.

So, thumbs up, hands up, and like the audience, stand up – for Woman up.

EMMA MERCHANT

BRANDS

Beacon

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