Chudleigh Women’s Day

From left: Sheryl Crowden, Chudleigh Hall secretary; Maureen Holland, guest speaker and cancer survivor; Louise Middleton, Chudleigh Hall committee member. Photo by Rose Turtle

LARGE PURPLE, green and white bouquets and helium balloons created a vibrant backdrop to the inaugural International Women’s Day celebration at Chudleigh.

Held in the gardens of Chudleigh Memorial Hall, this event was initiated and implemented by committee members from Chudleigh’s Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Chudleigh Memorial Hall and the Rose Garden.

With the encouragement and support of the Meander Valley Council’s Community Programs Officer, Nate Austen, this event received a funding allocation under the Meander Valley Council’s Recovery Grants Program.

Light early morning showers did not discourage the magnificent turnout of 150 women from around the Meander Valley to celebrate International Women’s Day at Chudleigh.

Accompanied by the exquisite harp playing of Joanne Mitchelson, the women guests enjoyed tea served in fine china and savoured a delightful selection of homemade delicacies prepared by local Chudleigh women.

Guest speaker Maureen Holland shared her personal journey with breast cancer.

The Ertler Sisters, Chudleigh locals Rose and Liz, entertained the crowd with original music. Sasha Lev from Mole Creek delighted the gathering with her Siberian folk songs.

Chudleigh men fully supported the celebration and provided the much needed logistics of assembling marquees and moving tables and hundreds of chairs before and after the event.

This was a great community event that brought old friends together, created an avenue for new friendships and fortified established community networks.

There is already talk about the 2022 International Women’s Day celebration with the inclusion of additional attractions such as displays of local handicrafts, homemade products and fresh produce.