Motherwell Cheshire Women's Day event in Winsford hailed huge success

The event, organised by health and wellbeing charity Motherwell Cheshire, celebrated the achievements of women in sport with Team GB skeleton racing star Laura Deas performing the opening ceremony.

There were high energy dance and exercise displays by Brio Leisure’s Body Jam and This Girl Can members, as well as a chance to see Winsford Town Ladies Football Team and Winnington Park Ladies Rugby demonstrate their skills.

Davenham Ladies Cricket, Winsford Town Ladies Football, This Girl Can, Winnington Ladies Rugby and Northwich Aikido Club representatives with Team GB star Laura Deas and Motherwell Cheshire founder Kate Blakemore (Image: Jan Roberts)

Other attractions included belly-dancers, choirs and vocalists and more than 50 stalls to browse, offering fashion, floral art, jewellery and crafts, as well as little luxuries for the home such as plants, candles and pictures.

Many charities and campaigns were represented including Cheshire Police Safer Streets, End Sexism in Schools and Cheshire West Inspirers, tackling issues such as ‘Pink Tax’ on women’s products.

Motherwell Cheshire volunteer Ruth Davies with the charity’s school prom dress scheme (Image: Jan Roberts)

VIP visitors included civic dignitaries, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer and the High Sheriff of Cheshire Jeannie France-Hayhurst.

Motherwell Cheshire founder Kate Blakemore said: “It was always my ambition to make Women’s Day a special event in Winsford with a wide range of women-centred charities and businesses all in one place showcasing the great work they do locally.

Laura Deas and Cheshire High Sheriff Jeannie France-Hayhurst (Image: Jan Roberts)

“Saturday was an opportunity to recognise the amazing things women do each day and have a good time with their families.

“We were able to highlight the contribution women make to the local economy and recognise the achievements of women in sport.

“Winsford Lifestyle Centre was the perfect venue as it inspires so many women to achieve their fitness goals and improve their body confidence.  

Brio Body Jam members gave a high energy performance (Image: Jan Roberts)

“We were thrilled to welcome Laura Deas who has excelled at one of the world’s toughest of sports and to see so many people get into the spirit of the day and join the fitness sessions.”

Laura, 34, from Wrexham, made history by becoming the first Welsh woman to win a Winter Olympic medal - bronze in South Korea in 2018.

She said: “It’s wonderful when women work together to empower and raise each other up.

Motherwell Cheshire and Survive’s Gathered Voices choir entertained (Image: Jan Roberts)

“Motherwell is behind so many events and initiatives to make lives better for local women so I was delighted to be their guest on International Women’s Day.”

The charity, founded eight years ago to empower women and offer support to vulnerable mothers, has been behind Women’s Day celebrations in Cheshire for several years.

The day was hailed a 'huge success' (Image: Jan Roberts)

Saturday’s event attracted sponsorship from Compass Minerals in Winsford and So Coach Training in Northwich.

Meanwhile, Motherwell Cheshire is appealing for donations to its Period Wellbeing Packs and Community Share Hub clothing recycling schemes particularly active wear such as sports bras and trainers and football boots.

Winsford Yarn Bombers knitting and crochet group had a colourful stand (Image: Jan Roberts)