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International Women’s Day Event

Nicola Bell

What a fabulous day we had on Friday 8th March, celebrating International Women's Day with a very special MyRoyalBorough Business Networking Event, hosted by Windsor & Eton Brewery; who staffed Unit 4 Taproom almost entirely with women for the occasion.

Over 100 local business-women joined together to attend the largest business networking we have ever hosted. The feedback has been incredible with guests saying they felt positivity and energy throughout the day, as guests mingled to share ideas, experiences and forge contacts for future collaborations.

Attendees were treated to thought-provoking and inspiring talks from six expert female guest speakers – covering sport, charity, environment, mental health and hospitality.  

All six enthralled us with stories of their career backgrounds, professional highs and lows and thoughtful insight into each of their areas of speciality; we are extremely grateful for them joining us on the day, and leaving us with a great deal to reflect upon.

Throughout the day, we were raising money for The Dash Charity (read on to find out more about their work in the Royal Borough). Through donations on the door and a fantastic raffle, we have so far raised £1,100 - an incredible achievement, for which the charity have expressed their extreme gratitude. The team at Windsor & Eton Brewery kindly kept the raffle open over the weekend, to maximise donations. Raffle will be drawn today, Wednesday, and winners notified.

One of the many topics discussed was 'how we continue the good work done on the day', with talk about a Women's Business Forum, or break out group to expand ideas on how we can continue to support in the local community, and inspire and encourage younger women and students. If you would like to register your interest in joining this discussion further - please email here, and we'll put some thought into this.

Also in the Brewery on the day there were six female owned small local businesses showcasing & selling their work, with a Mothers Day gifting theme. These included (pictured left - right): Solysbouqcakes, from Maidenhead with her incredible edible bouquets, Darling Buds of Windsor, with their Mothers Day floral collections - and who kindly donated thank you bouquets to each of our guest speakers, Laura's Cookies who were taking orders for Easter and Sweaty Betty Windsor - who also kindly supported the event Goody Bags and raffle prizes.

Throughout the day local female artists were offered the opportunity to display their work in the mezzanine area of the Brewery. We were delighted to see the work of Nicola May, Amy Lovell Creative, RyanandButler and Windsor & Eton PhotoArt; all four relished the opportunity to chat to guests and discuss orders and commissions. Why not give them all a follow on their social media accounts, by clicking links above?

In the afternoon students from Windsor Girls School Choir performed, with Emma Jane Kennedy a local musician entertaining in the evening. The Brewery was staffed almost entirely by women on the day of the event, and their female HR & Finance Director Nikki Lenman, gave a welcoming speech, noting it was the first time the Brewery had been almost entirely filled with women!

The Dash Charity

The Dash Charity provide specialist support to adults and children experiencing mental health issues, modern slavery, immigration, trafficking, homelessness and complex needs associated with Domestic Abuse, empowering them to live a life beyond crisis and ensuring their voices are heard. They also deliver RBWMs domestic abuse support programme - read more about their fantastic work here.

Craft Coop Windsor

Women from Craft Coop Windsor attended and not only provided craft demonstrations throughout the afternoon, but also donated specially designed eco-friendly jute shopping bags; pictured here modelled by Director, Heidi Berry. The ladies offered up demos on Tunisian knitting, beadwork, painting with wool, Celtic knitting, crochet and Henna inspired art. Do pop in and visit Craft Coop when you're next in town.

THANK YOU: Throughout the day, funds were raised for The Dash Charity; through donations on the door and a fantastic raffle; this will be drawn today, Wednesday, and winners notified by email.

We wish to thank the generosity of the following local companies who kindly donated gifts and experiences to the raffle:

Ascot Racecourse, Craft Coop Windsor, Creek Paddles, Daniel Department Store, Elaine Café, Sunningdale, Eton T-shirt Company, Fortescues of Windsor, Fox & Castle, Old Windsor, Goswell House & Meimo Restaurant, Guards Polo Club, Ieva Poriete, Kris Cruisers, Datchet, MacDonald Hotel Windsor, Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham, Sweaty Betty Windsor, Wildcat Willie, Windsor & Eton PhotoArt, Windsor Great Park & Savill Garden, Windsor Royal Racecourse, Windsor Wino's Club.