Wem Rural Parish Council was delighted to support a fantastic International Women’s Day celebration, bringing together over 35 women-led businesses, inspiring talks, creative workshops, and a full day of activities. The event highlighted the incredible talent, resilience, and entrepreneurship of local women, with hundreds of people attending throughout the day.
The celebrations began at 9:00 am with the Town Hall Café opening for breakfast and refreshments, before the Main Hall opened at 10:00 am for stalls and activities. The day was packed with inspiring sessions, starting with a motivational talk from Sian Brennan-Todd, followed by an insightful discussion on the benefits of banking locally with Just Credit Union. Jenergy Yoga and Wellbeing led a relaxing yoga session, and the Flower Clubs of Mercia and North Wales demonstrated beautiful flower arranging techniques.
The afternoon featured a variety of engaging workshops, including mindful eating with Coaching with Cara, vision board creation with Time 4 Me To Shine, and a handson spinning wheel demonstration from Wemian Woolies. The final workshop of the day was a calming mindfulness session led by HAPPiLiFE Wellbeing & Music, bringing a peaceful close to the daytime programme. A particularly special part of the day was a collaborative stained glass project led by local artists Julie from Stained Glass Gifts and Lesley from Little Owl Glass.
Attendees had the chance to decorate their own individual glass pieces, which will be assembled into a commemorative artwork celebrating the spirit of the day— a lasting tribute to the creativity and community of the event. The evening continued with a fun and empowering burlesque basics session, a lively drinks reception, and a delicious meal served in the café.
The highlight of the night was HerStories: A Concert with Louise Jordan, a captivating performance celebrating the lives of extraordinary women from history. Louise’s storytelling and music brought to life the stories of smugglers, suffragettes, nurses, and campaigners, leaving the audience inspired and entertained. With overwhelmingly positive feedback and such a strong turnout, this year’s International Women’s Day was a huge success.
A heartfelt thank you to all the businesses, speakers, artists, and attendees who made the event so special—we look forward to making next year’s celebration even bigger!
