Chairman of Wilmslow Wells honoured as Cheshire Woman of the Year 2005
The 2005 Cheshire Woman of the Year title, sponsored by Cheshire Life, was awarded to Joanna Southgate, Chairman of Wilmslow Wells for Africa. Joanna received the award, and a cheque for ??
The lunch was preceded by a reception with the Lady Mayoress of Chester for the nominees and distinguished guests.
The award recognised that Joanna had ‘worked tirelessly’ over the last twelve years as a Trustee and fund raising organiser for this Cheshire based charity. During that time she has overseen significant growth in the turnover of the charity while ensuring that over 98% of monies raised are spent effectively in Africa. The nomination noted that the fund raising events are important to the community in Wilmslow, and that the funds raised are committed to improving life in impoverished African communities. Not only does the provision of clean water bring immediate health improvements but it saves the village women from spending many hours collecting water and allows them to spend time more productively, helping to grow food and make things to sell. The children are able to attend school. rn
rnJoanna was inspired to get involved in Wilmslow Wells for Africa in 1993 after hearing a talk from its founder, Brenda Mottershead. Brenda had witnessed the problems created by lack of a clean water supply while she was working as a teacher in Soweto, South Africa. From her initial attempt to sponsor a single well the charity has grown to support 75 projects across Africa.
Gardens Tour 2005
The weather in the preceding two weeks had kept us all guessing and made life very difficult for the gardeners who were working hard in all conditions to perfect their gardens in readiness for the visitors on 25th June. However, the day dawned dry and warm and on the dot of 10.30am many supporters arrived to buy their tickets at the St John
Birthday Celebration at ‘Souperday’
by Charles Henn, formerly of the Daily Telegraph
A ‘Souperday’ lunch held on February 17th in the St. John’s, Lindow, Wilmslow, church rooms not only raised a record sum for such an event for Wilmslow Wells for Africa but was also marked by a double birthday celebration.
Some 150 people who had paid
Simon Perry runs the London Marathon
Simon Perry gives his account of the experience of running the London Marathon to raise money for Wilmslow Wells for Africa: ???
Fascinating talk on African Art by Nirvana Romell
In March, we were treated to an entertaining introduction into African tribal art by the local lecturer Nirvana Romell. About 50 people attended her evening lecture at the Wilmslow Guild that kindly provided the venue, refreshments and the required technology. The audience’s curiosity was suitably rewarded (not only with the raffle prizes!). Nirvana shed light on common misconceptions and brought the aesthetics of Africa and Europe together in amusing comparisons. Her talk was based not just on academic research but also on personal experience. Having lived in South Africa for 10 years, Nirvana moved to Cheshire two years ago and has been working as a freelance lecturer in art history for NADFAS, Manchester Art Gallery, Wilmslow Guild and other organisations.
The evening raised (no figure)
Postcard from Robin Hood’s Bay
Catherine Mottershead informs us of her success in completing the Coast to Coast walk (the Mottershead Memorial March in memory of Brenda), raising funds for the charity.
‘I have just completed my Coast to Coast walk. It has been fantastic – even better than I had anticipated. We had almost perfect weather nearly all the time. The Lake District was stunning (‘the clearest days of the year’) and it was lovely to have 20 relatives (aged between 11 weeks and 83!) with me at different stages. Crossing the Pennines was exciting, Swaledale was beautiful and the North York Moors were at their purple best. I feel very privileged and felt looked after all the way.’