Women from across Purbeck who contribute to community life, business, education and the arts are to be honoured at a special International Women’s Day celebration in Swanage, Dorset.
The event, taking place in The Studio at The Mowlem on Sunday 8th March, will shine a spotlight on local women whose work often goes unseen – from councillors and carers, to teachers, artists, volunteers and business owners.
The Mowlem will be lit up in purple on Sunday 8th March 2026 in honour of International Women’s Day
Lit up in purple lights
The Mowlem will be specially opened on Sunday 8th March 2026 to host the event, with the building lit up in purple for International Women’s Day.
Although the event is a celebration of women rather than an awards ceremony, there will be photographs taken afterwards, followed by an opportunity for all guests to mingle in The Showbar and share stories of their experiences.
The celebration, organised and hosted by Purbeck Sounds presenter Fiona Sturrock, is being run on a not for profit basis and tickets cost £10, with proceeds going towards funding local arts projects. If successful, it could become an annual event.
In the following weeks, Purbeck Sounds will broadcast a special women’s show, giving those featured the chance to talk in more depth about their work, and to keep the spotlight on women in the community.
Fiona Sturrock, who presents Words to Inspire on Purbeck Sounds, has organised the celebration of Purbeck women
“A flash of inspiration”
Organiser Fiona Sturrock said:
“The idea came to me in a flash of inspiration – I was in a poetry reading when the thought struck me that we should do something to celebrate the women of Purbeck.
“I went home and went to sleep, but another lightning bolt woke me up in the morning, that we could celebrate them through the art form of poetry.
“There are so many amazing female poets and when you combine that with the amazing people we have in Purbeck, it seemed like a perfect marriage.
“I will introduce the women who have been selected to take part, and what they do, and they will then read a poem of their choice, or one we will select for them if they prefer – we know of many wonderful women poets with profound things to say.”
Salliann Coleman, who founded Swanage Literary Festival, is among more than a dozen local women being celebrated
“Every single woman should be celebrated”
Fiona added:
“I did a lot of research, and talked to people about who I should put forward and a list of so many names started to build up.
“My biggest challenge was selecting people, as the numbers had to be limited, but I could have celebrated so many different women.
“What I want to get across is that every single woman should be celebrated, and feel proud of the contribution they make to our society. We have selected a number of women to stand up at the event, but the qualities that they show can be seen and celebrated in so many others.
“I would love this to be the first of an annual event, a continuing showcase for the amazing, diverse and incredible things that the women of Purbeck are doing in our community.”
Lesley Paddy, pictured at the Boxing Day 2025 swim, will be praised for her contribution to the youth charity #Willdoes
Contribution to society is immense
The Mowlem is hosting the celebration with the support of its new executive director, Kate McGregor, and will host more than a dozen Purbeck women whose contribution to local society is immense.
Among those who will be celebrated are Salliann Coleman, founder of the Swanage Literary Festival; Swanage town councillor Sarah Vile; Cherie Woodward, head of English at The Swanage School and a passionate advocate for poetry; and Lesley Paddy who runs the youth charity #Willdoes.
Other participants include Claire Hodgson, the artistic director of Diverse City and Swim Productions; Vicki Angel, who founded a thriving Swanage swim club; Karen Corney, president of Swanage WI; singer Karen Grant, recognised for her performances in care homes; and Jane Linger, who runs The Loft community meals project and supports midwives in Malawi.
Along with others, they all have a fascinating story to tell, but Vicki Angel’s is being highlighted as an example of the silent contributions the event aims to recognise, after what she began as a WhatsApp group of four or five swimmers has grown to 172 members.
The productions of Sw!m and Sw!m Too will be recalled as those involved are celebrated
“Full spectrum of women to celebrate”
Fiona Sturrock said:
“Vicki told me she felt fraudulent when she was nominated because there were so many other inspiring women in the group, but they are only there because of the work Vicki put into setting up the club in the first place. It’s that kind of contribution that needs celebrating.
“So often, we don’t allow ourselves to be celebrated, or to celebrate. Every single woman should feel proud of the contribution she makes to society, and the qualities of those who will be standing up can be seen in so many others across Purbeck.
“We have looked at local business women, community volunteers, artists, teachers, councillors, carers, youth charity workers, philanthropists, and those in literary art, entertainment and retail.
“But it’s also what I call the silent contribution that needs celebrating, the women who dedicate their lives to caring and those who work behind the scenes.
“There’s a full spectrum of women to celebrate, and this event is to celebrate the contributions they make to our community, which are often unsung but are always really inspiring.”
Swanage singer Karen Grant will be praised for the work she does in Purbeck care homes
Some of the women taking part in the celebration are pictured on posters going up around Swanage
Further information
- Tickets to the event can be bought via The Mowlem
