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