In honour of the Global Centenary of International Women’s Day (1911-2011) Southern Brooks organised a colourful fun-filled event on Tuesday night at Bradley Stoke Community School. A wine and canapé reception included viewing the nominations for the three categories of Outstanding Women’s Awards, as well as submissions to the Visual Arts Gallery.  There were other local information stalls to browse while music was played by the school’s Samba band.

A fabulous fashion show based upon British Historical Fashion highlighted the dress of famous women from Jane Austen and Emily Panchurst to Mary Quant. These historical icons were represented by some of the girls from local singing group Raise Your Voice, who later in the show sang two songs highlighting the beauty of ALL women.

Demonstrations of African head wrapping and a Sari wrap proved very popular with the audience.

The main fashion show was launched, highlighting flamboyant and multi-coloured Indian, African and East Asian styles.  The audience and all the local ladies and young girls drawn in from the community to model for the show had a great time.

Nominations for Outstanding Women’s Award:

Personal Achievement Award: Wendy Shore, Mary Abrahams and Carly Trimby.  Young Woman’s Award: Georgina Evans, Emily Slocombe and Brenda Hook.  Community Award: Kandis Ip, Rene Thorne, Fran Read, Sylvia Leavy, Sharon Osborn, Rebecca Strong, Ruth Smale, Veronica Obee, Janine Smith,  Pauline Underwood, Margaret Davies, Stephanie Gill, Pat Hutton, Amenia Koosaar and Elspeth Desmond.

The Winners Are:

Personal Achievement: Mary Abrahams – Mary is the mother of BSCS student Ryan Abrahams who sadly passed away last year. Mary also lost her father at around the same time. Mary was nominated for her courage and bravery over the past 12 months and for somehow maintaining her cheerfulness, despite her dreadful losses. She has since commenced work at BSCS alongside friends of her son and has been working hard at fundraising for both the Children’s Hospital South West and the Jessie May Trust. Mary won the prize donated by the Aztec Hotel of dinner, bed and breakfast at the hotel.

Young Woman: Brenda Hook – Brenda has not allowed the fact that she has a number of serious medical conditions deter her from seeking out the positive things in life. She has contributed much back into the community through her voluntary work with Beavers and through five years of committed training with St John’s Ambulance, which recently earned her the very prestigious “Grand Prior Award”. Brenda won £100 of gift vouchers for the Mall, donated by Bradley Stoke Matters.

Community: Sylvia Leavy – at 81 years young Sylvia is evidence indeed that keeping busy keeps you young!  Despite her own advancing years Sylvia is involved in many community projects to help the elderly, including Patchway Day Centre, Langdale Sheltered Housing, the Friday Club and Merlin Housing Community Action Group. She is a true servant, setting tables, serving meals, making drinks, tidying up, doing the shopping, she even organised a seated excercise class! She constantly organises lifts and shared taxis for others to attend various groups and clubs, and individuals often call her rather than the taxi company to organise a ride. Not a day goes by without someone ringing her to do something for them. Sylvia also has a full social life herself – is out every day and at least 3 evenings a week.  Sylvia’s prize is a weekend bed and breakfast for 4 people donated by the Ramada Grange Hotel in Winterbourne.

Do look out for the opportunity to vote for the special women in your life in next year’s awards.

Following the awards was a fantastic performance by BSCS Year 10 drama student Courtney, who acted as Anne Frank in a thought-provoking monologue entitled “Dreams of Anne Frank”.

The evening was concluded with a brief presentation from Michelle and Helen from The Friends of Jubilee Green. Michelle and Helen highlighted the projects for which fundraising is being targeted and the ways the park will be improved. They also shared their plans for some of the events that will take place at the park over the forthcoming months (check out our community pages for more information), and emphasised the need for more volunteers to come forward and join in the fun!

Claire Emery, Chair of Governors at BSCS said “These awards encapsulate what community spirit is all about”.