International Women’s Day hailed a ‘big success’ at new Crewe Market Hall venue
Community
Families turned out in force to enjoy a host of attractions marking International Women’s Day 2026 at Crewe Market Hall.
The event, organised by Crewe-based women and girls charity Her-Place Charitable Trust, drew many to its new venue at the Market Hall after many years of taking place at Cheshire College, South and West.
(Her-Place Charitable Trust founder Kate Blakemore welcomes crowds to International Women’s Day in Crewe Market Hall)
Visitors enjoyed a full programme of music and dance with performances by Fox Dance Academy, Frasers School of Dance, Nantwich Voices and poetry and song duo Fall in Green.
Firefighters from Crewe Red Watch were on hand for selfies and Crewe ice hockey ace, Violet Lennon, 12, from Shavington also posed for pictures in her role as a young ambassador for Her-Place’s Women in Sport campaign.
(Elaine Jackson-Hunter and daughter meeting young ice hockey player Violet Lennon who is keen to see more young women take up the sport)
Face-painting and a teddy bear raffle added to the attractions and a display of ‘thrifty fashion’ by college students highlighted the charity’s campaign to reuse rather than buy new.
Every year its popular school uniform recycling scheme based at the Her-Place Hub on Beech Drive saves tonnes of clothing going to landfill.
(Former art and design student Georgie Kay-Phillips, the charity’s new Operations Manager and winner of a Mayor’s Community Award, at the thrifty fashion display)
International Women’s Day also coincided with the launch of a new display by a female Kurdish artist at Platform art space and an exhibition focusing on the ‘Statue for Ada’ campaign, honouring Crewe suffragist Ada Nield Chew, in the former Clintons cards in the Market Centre.
(Evelyn, 15, from Crewe enjoyed the Statue for Ada exhibition which launched on International Women’s Day in the Market Centre where visitors were invited to ‘Make an Ada’ figure)
Her-Place founder Kate Blakemore thanked International Women’s Day supporters Crewe Town Council and Crewe Bid and the many people who turned up to make it a memorable day.
Kate, a trained counsellor, said: “We’re very keen to support Crewe town centre and bring positive, family-friendly events right into the heart of the community.
“Moving the celebration to the Market Hall allowed even more people to drop in, discover what we do, and enjoy the fantastic talent we have locally.
“International Women’s Day is all about celebrating women and girls, recognising their achievements and inspiring the next generation.
“It was wonderful to welcome so many people after all the planning. It was a big success.”
Many charities and organisations were represented including Cheshire College, South and West, Crewe Railtown Loco Rollers, Crewe Creates, Cheshire Roses, Change Grow Live and Connextions addiction recovery.
(Her-Place business administrator Chloe Mellor was recognised for Contribution to the Community at the recent Cheshire College, South & West Apprenticeships awards. She’s seen visiting the college stand)
(Railtown Loco Rollers new recruits Alex Cornwell and Sally Goodwin in action)
The event, the charity’s 11th, also saw it launch a ‘Make a Pledge’ #GivetoGain fundraising drive to support its health and wellbeing initiatives including free period products, health pop-ups, counselling and activities for all age groups to combat isolation.
Cherry Blossom, the charity’s baby loss support group, also staged a tombola to boost funds for a memorial bench at St Mary’s Church, Wistaston.
Kate, a member of Crewe Town Board and former Wistonian of the Year, added: “Even in the toughest economic climate, our commitment to the local people we serve has never wavered. Times do remain tough for the charity sector however and income generation is a key focus for 2026.”
The charity’s last annual report demonstrated its value to the community – a record 5000 individuals were supported, representing a massive staggering £3,657,032 of economic value to the community.
Ten years old in 2025, Her-Place was winner of South Cheshire Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year award for excellence in November.
Through its sister organisation, The Learning Well, Her-Place is working local firms to support the wellness of employees which in turn boosts morale and improves productivity.
For more on how Her-Place supports local women and girls go to her-place.co.uk
For details on The Learning Well workshops and training go to thelearning-well.com, call 01606 557666 or email kate@thelearning-well.com
