Victory Breakfast and High Sheriff's Summer Reception

It's not often I get invited to two exciting events in one day. Last week, on the 5 July, I went to the Victory breakfast at the Marriott Hotel, organised to celebrate 100 years since some women got the vote and 90 years since all women got the vote. The Victory Breakfast was held to celebrate the anniversaries, replicating the breakfast held on Thursday 5 July 1928 at Hotel Cecil in London. Attended by 250 women, it was symbolic of all the breakfasts given to hunger strikers when they were released from prison. in addition to the food, Swindon Community Choir sang 'March of the Women' and there were speakers, a message from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire was read by Helen Birchenough, DL, Nicky Alberry, High Sheriff of Wiltshire spoke movingly on Women Today, her excellent speech can be read here
Nicky's speech was followed  by two Commonweal students, Maegan Watts and Ruth Flame talking about their hopes for the future as women. They were so good and articulately spoke passionately about the importance of equality and fairness and their hopes for the next 100 years; I'm sure they will have a fantastic future. The two hours were brilliant, so well organised and uplifting, they raised £1,490 for Swindon Women's Aid.
There are a few photos on their Facebook page and here are a few I took:

 From left to right: Cllr Nadine Watts, Ruth Flame, Maegan Watts, High Sheriff Nicky Alberry in full dress, Mayor of Swindon Junab Ali, Helen Birchenough, DL and Sarah Church, Labour candidate for South Swindon.

 Above Ruth Flame, Maegan Watts and Nadine Watts

 A couple of general photos taken from my seat.

 The second event of the day was the High Sheriff's Summer Reception held at STEAM from 6-8pm, here's High Sheriff Nicky Alberry giving an opening speech to the 200 guests.
There's more information on the evening here on the Facebook page.

An amazing £10000 was raised at the Summer Reception for organisations helping to tackle domestic violence which Nicky has chosen as the theme of her year. It was a fantastic evening.