Women 1st!

It will soon be August and it's been a while since I wrote a Blog for Wessex Women's Network. I'm delighted to report that the Cloud Hotel has been very busy which means I have been very busy too! I hope you have all been able to enjoy this beautiful weather and long may it continue before winter sets in again!

I'm sure we all send our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son. As many of us are Mothers and Grandmothers we all know how it feels to give birth to our first child and that wonderful feeling when the baby is first put in your arms and you realise you are a Mother!

In June I attended the Women 1st Conference at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square. Women 1st was launched in 2009 to develop women into leadership roles in hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. As always at these conferences there were some inspirational women speakers telling their stories of how they have succeeded in their careers. I particularly enjoyed listening to Liz Bingham , Managing Partner, People UK and Ireland, Ernst and Young. Liz is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusiveness and has been determined to create an environment where people from all backgrounds can succeed and flourish. I also enjoyed listening to Susan Gambardella, Vice President,Global Account Team, Coca-Cola Refreshments who had flown in from the USA for the conference. Both of these women were an inspiration and their stories encouraged everyone to realise how great their potential is if they take opportunities and have the right attitude in life. The evening concluded with the Shine Awards that were presented by Matt Dawson of Question of Sport fame and he brought the same humour to the evening as he does on television.

The charity cream tea held at the Cloud Hotel as part of the Hampshire Fare Food Festival on Sunday 14th July was a great success and we raised £958-00 that was shared equally between Jack's Place at Naomi House and the Variety Club Children'sCharity. It was such a beautiful day that many people enjoyed their tea outside in our secluded garden that is a mass of colour at the moment. Linzi Luker donated the scones, Wrights Dairies donated the clotted cream and 3663 donated the strawberry jam. We had several raffle prizes donated by local businesses and Judy Goodlet of Radio Solent fame donated one of her 60 beautiful cushions that she is making for charity to celebrate her 60th birthday.

The next charity event to be held at the Cloud Hotel is the World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday September 27th  in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Please come along to enjoy the company of your friends and to help raise alot of money for a very worthwhile cause.

August 7th is the next date for your diary all details are on the website. I founded the Wessex Women's Network 10 years ago and we will be having a special dinner to celebrate it's 10th birthday on Tuesday November 19th. I hope you will be-able to join me in the celebrations and hopefully you will put that date in your diary too.

Finally 'When the going gets tough the tough ask for help' Michael Heppell

That is what women's networking clubs are for, helping and supporting each other in good and bad times and I hope some of you feel you have been helped by members of the Wessex Women's Network during the past 10 years and have had fun as well.

Avril

Keep Smiling

The Wessex Women's Network met last week and although there weren't so many members there this time [probably due to half term] we had alot of fun and enjoyed each others company as usual. There is always a lively atmosphere at our meetings and alot of laughter.

As you know I am passionate about encouraging women to reach their full potential and I have watched one of my members Jane Pitt Pitts develop her confidence and business over the years. Jane offers an extensive range of handmade glass dishes, jewellery and sailing trophies. Jane attends the meetings on a  regular basis and always brings samples of her work to display for other members to view or even buy www.confusionglass.co.uk

I continue to do my public speaking and last week spoke to the lively and very friendly Hebrew Ladies Luncheon Club in Bournemouth. I enjoy telling my story in the hope that it will encourage other women to fulfil their dreams and goals and to reach their full potential.

The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Tuesday June 25th when Colin van Geffen will give a talk on 'The Red Arrows' I understand from Jan that this is a very interesting talk so I'm looking forward to welcoming you to the event.

We have had some lovely weather this week so hopefully summer is here to stay! The sun always lifts everyone's spirits and people smile more!

My final thought for today. Ladies the most important thing that you wear is your expression! You are never fully dressed until you smile and a smile not only makes you feel better but everyone around you. It's cheaper than a facelift and means the same in any language so keep smiling even if the sun isn't shining, YOU can still shine and sparkle.

Avril

The Little Book of Adversity

Once again Jan Hoy booked us an entertaining and interesting speaker when the members of the Wessex Women's Network heard David Sullivan talk on 'Life as a Shepherd' on Wednesday April 24th. These meetings are always well attended and it is so nice to see so many regular members attend each month. I think as well as listening to some very interesting speakers we have a lot of fun at the meetings and have developed many friendships over the years. I founded the Wessex Women's Network in 2003 and we will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary later in the year. Details to follow once I have a date.

Talking of dates we are holding our annual charity cream tea at the Cloud Hotel on Sunday 14th July at 4pm and the all proceeds will be shared between the Variety Club Children's Charity and Jack's Place at Naomi House Children's Hospice. Please put it in your diary, booking is essential and we hope to attract alot of people and raise much needed funds for both the charities.. Linzi Luker who is one of our members will donate the scones as she does every year.

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Women 1st's  book 'The Little Book of Adversity' at the Cafe Royal in London on Monday 29th April. It has taken Sam Mercer, Sharon Glancy [the founder of Women1st] and Karen Roberts  2 years to write and is a practical guide to supporting women in the workplace. There are lots of tips and advice for women and I have the honour of being one of the case studies in the book along with some very influential women. Jo Fairly the co-founder of Green and Black's chocolate told her story on how she and her husband had founded the company. The evening was very well attended, alot of networking took place and the champagne flowed. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by everyone and I left the event feeling inspired and motivated once again! The book is not on general release just yet but I will let you know when you can buy it if anyone is interested.

As I write this the sun is shining and I've noticed how everyone's spirits have been lifted. I really do think the better weather is here at last. Our secluded garden is a very peaceful place to enjoy morning coffee or afternoon tea with family and friends. We are now serving Taylors of Harrogate coffee, the same as they serve at Betty's Tearooms in Harrogate.

The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Wednesday May 29th. The speaker is Richard Burton who is a salesman and the title of his talk is Perfect Perfect!! Something us women are all trying to be!

I came across the following quote from Winston Churchill which I thought was very appropriate in these difficult economic times.

'Success is not final, failure is not final, it is the courage to continue that counts'

Enjoy the sunshine


Avril

Summer Time?

With the weather being so cold and unpredictable it was very apt to have Trevor Guymer as the speaker at the Wessex Women's Network at our March meeting. Trevor is a meteorologist and climate expert from Southampton's National  Oceanography Centre. He explained to us about the interactions between the the oceans, atmosphere land and ice. Apparently waves and storms are always a risk for coastal communities all over the world as well as those working at sea. It was interesting to hear how the oceans both moderate and drive climate variability. You could hear a pin drop during his talk as it was so fascinating. It was a full house and the Wessex Women are very seldom that quie

I attended the re-dedication of the updated Buckler's Hard Museum by Lord Ivar Mountbatten on March 26th. It was bitterly cold with a biting wind but I warmed myself up by going round the museum that is well worth a visit. I have lived in the New Forest for 38 years and had no idea about the history of Bucklers Hard. It was also interesting to see Sir Frances Chichester's yacht Gypsy Moth which was moored in the river.

One of the charities the Cloud Hotel supports is Vitalise and 3 times a year we give the Carers of Alzeimer's sufferers a night out and treat them to dinner. Last Thursday 19 people came from Netley Waterside House and had an added surprise as David Bonney Magician and member of the Magic Circle entertained them with some wonderful magic.

Easter was cold but dry which was a bonus and even the sun came out just to let us know it is still around. I was lucky enough to have my whole family with me this Easter, all 12 of them and we did manage a long walk in the forest although the wind was biting cold and we were all pleased to get back home to the warm. This time last year we were all sitting out in the garden and enjoying barbecues! 

For the second year running the Cloud Hotel sponsored the Napkin Folding competition at the Salon Culinaire held at Brockenhurst College and I have just returned from judging today's competition. It is always a pleasure to see young people enthusiastic about their chosen career and to be encouraged by their tutors to do their best. I am very passionate about encouraging young people to train and go into hospitality and help to raise the standards that are much needed in certain areas of the industry.

The next Wessex Women's Network meeting is on Wednesday April 24th when David Sullivan will be speaking about Life as a Shepherd. I look forward to welcoming you to this event which promises to be another very interesting talk and again quite topical after how this cold weather has affected the farmers and their flocks.

Business is tough for everyone at the moment and not helped by the weather but don't lower your prices to compete with your competitors. It devalues you and sends a message to your customers that you are prepared to reduce your prices at any cost to the business.

'It's a funny thing about life: If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it"  Somerset Maughan

Although it's hard to believe it is officially summertime so keep your fingers crossed that we will soon be enjoying some warmer weather.

Avril

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a day for women all over the world to first of all to be proud of being a woman and also to give each other support. I hope you are having a good day and doing one good thing to support a woman you know either in business or just personally. Wishing all the members of the Wessex Women's Network a life of good health, happiness success and respect.

Avril

It's Magic

Last night members of the  Wessex Women's Network were entertained by Dave Bonner and Martin Middleditch and what a brilliant evening it was too. Dave is a member of the Magic Circle and was assisted by Martin. They told us the history of magic as well as amazing us with some of their magic tricks. They really lifted our spirits on a cold and gloomy evening and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It is so important for us women to get out and have some fun especially at the moment when everyone seems so depressed! We definately need some sunshine to cheer us up. It's only 3 weeks until the clocks go forward and hopefully Spring will be here with a hot summer to follow. You have to stay optimistic or you wouldn't get up in the morning.

On Monday evening I attended the Fellows Dinner for the Institute of Hospitality at the Landmark Hotel in London. I am actually a Fellow of the Institute but I can still wear a skirt! I find it so disappointing that these events in the hospitality industry are still so male dominated. Us women have a long way to go before we are on an equal footing with the men and are recognised as a force to be reckoned with. However it's onwards and upwards and never give up is my motto.

Business is tough for everyone at the moment but when the going gets tough the tough get going and it's the survival of the fittest. It's an opportunity to take that small step towards achieving something you never thought possible so ladies get out of your comfort zone and take that first step towards achieving your goals. It takes courage but if you never do it you will never know what you might have achieved.

I'm off to the ballet tonight. I'm going to see the English National Ballet perform Sleeping Beauty at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. It's one of my favourite ballets with fabulous music. My ambition was to be in a ballet company and the nearest I got to my dream was to appear many years ago in Sleeping Beauty as a rat with the Royal Ballet Company when they visited the Mayflower Theatre! They used to use children from a local dancing school as extras in those days and I was teaching ballet at a dancing school in Southampton at the time and being small myself I was able to join the children as a rat! 

Finally remember in these difficult times

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

The daffodils are out so Spring must be on the way.

Til next time

Avril

Photos in Hampshire Life

I expect you are surprised to read another blog from me only a week after I posted my last one but I have some news for you. Hampshire Life have published the photos of some of us who attended the Christmas Dinner held in December at the Cloud Hotel in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and I thought you would like to know.

Today was a lovely sunny day and everyone's spirits were lifted and people began to leave their homes and come out for lunch and tea. Hooray!

Today's quote;

'Go as far as you can see and when you get there go farther'

Until next time

Avril