Past Events
A selection of 2007/10 programme events:
Public Speaking Competition 2007/08
Six teams from Colchester schools took part in the local heat of the Business and Professional Women UK's annual Public Speaking Competition in November 2007. The winning teams from the Colchester Royal Grammar School, who spoke on the importance of reducing air travel, and Stanway School who provided an amusing argument about it not being to our advantage to win the Olympic Games 2012, went through to the regional final at the British Racing School in Newmarket in February 2008. Other schools who competed locally were the Colchester 6th Form College, Thomas Lord Audley and St Benedicts College.
At the regional final, the Colchester Royal Grammar School won prizes for best team, best chairperson and best expresser of thanks. They competed in the national final at Moreton Hall School, Oswestry in March 2008.
Local School Wins BPW UK's Public Speaking National Finals.
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In the National finals at Oswestry on Saturday 29th March 2008, the Colchester Royal Grammar School defeated other BPW regional finalists from the Midlands, Northern Ireland, North West, Southern England and Wales. The team won trophies for the best team and the best speaker in the competition.
Members of BPW Colchester were particularly delighted with the result as this was the first time since the BPW UK public speaking competition began in 1972 that a Colchester team has won the National Final.
BPW Colchester celebrates the International Federation's 80 years of history.
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Colchester Business & Professional Women (BPW) celebrates the International Federation's 80 years of history.
BPW Colchester celebrated its links with other BPW members in over 94 countries across the world with a buffet lunch and the traditional candle-lighting ceremony at the Ramada Hotel, Colchester, on Sunday 21st March 2010.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Henry Spyvee, the Mayoress of Colchester, Mrs Vivien Spyvee, Sue Ashmore, National President of BPW UK, BPW officers, club members and guests from across the London Anglia South East Region.
Valerie Mulcare - Tivey, the after lunch speaker, gave an informative and extremely moving account of her experiences working amongst the street children of Mumbai.
The climax of the afternoon was the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, during which the current member countries were listed as the candles were lit and the history of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women was recalled from its beginnings in America in 1930. The lighting of the candles was accompanied by a superb Powerpoint presentation, produced by Vicki Mills, the daughter of a BPW Colchester member, which showed pictures and maps of all the countries across the world where there are BPW clubs and independent members.
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Sunset River Cruise
'Lady Florence' Sunset River Cruise from Orford Quay, Suffolk. Members and guests enjoyed the four hour cruise with dinner on board.
London Coach Trip and Walking Tours
An action-packed day during which members and friends of Colchester BPW enjoyed a visit to London.
Two tours led by a Blue Badge Guide took us first on an entertaining and highly informative exploration of the many hidden and picturesque Georgian back streets around Westminster, followed after lunch, by a boat trip down the Thames and a walk around historic Greenwich.
The comfortable Crusader Holidays luxury coach which we had available for the day, made the outing even more enjoyable.
Summer Event
In July, we hosted an 'at home' event in the house and gardens of one of our club members. Despite the somewhat unfavourable weather conditions, the 45 guests enjoyed a visit to the Thorrington Tide Mill, which dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and is the only working mill of its kind in the country; a superb BBQ; a silent auction and a testing quiz.
A number of competitive games had been organised for the afternoon, but owing to the heavy rain which had set in by then only a few brave people ventured outside to play.
The caravan, belonging to our membership officer, which provides an excellent mobile advertising vehicle for BPW, was on show throughout the day.
We were delighted to welcome BPW members and guests from Bristol, Billericay, London, Norwich, Northen Ireland and Bern, Switzerland.
Evening Car Tour
A fun-filled evening in which we realised, as we attempted to follow directions and solve clues whilst we drove around the picturesque and lesser known byways of Essex, that our map reading skills were not as good as we thought they were.
Burghley Horse Trials - Day Out
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Preparing to watch the jumping and do some early Christmas shopping at the Burghley Horse Trials - Cross Country Event.
A Day Out at Newmarket
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Having a fun and informative day out at Newmarket
Other Events 2009
During the year we listened to many entertaining and informative talks by a number of guest speakers on a range of topics which included: 'The Roman Chariot Track', 'Thirty Years a BBC Reporter - In and Out of Parliament', 'Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust', 'Smugglers & Poachers of Essex and Suffolk', 'The Life of the Badger' and 'Autism'. Other activities included: a visit to the Mercury Theatre to watch the production of 'Fiddler on the Roof', a morning visit to the gardens of Beth Chatto, an evening at the Coral Dog Racing Stadium & restaurant in Romford, a mini antiques road show and an in-house workshop during which we had a few surprises as we 'assessed our management skills-the Belbin way'
