Facilities & Recreation Committee – July 14th 2026
Spennymoor Town Council Facilities & Recreation Committee Order of Business - Meeting to be held July 14th 2026
Spennymoor Celebrates International Women’s Day with Inspiring Speakers, Live Art & New Exhibition Launch.
Spennymoor Town Council proudly marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a vibrant and uplifting event that brought together 80 members of the public, including both local residents and visitors from across the region. The gathering highlighted the creativity, leadership, and voices of women who are shaping culture and community life in County Durham.
Guests heard from an exceptional line‑up of speakers, each offering thoughtful and motivating reflections:
- Dame Susan Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.
- Jill Cole, Director of Northern Heartlands CIO and Chair of Culture Durham, speaking on the power of culture in community transformation.
- Michelle Cooper, CEO of community funder Point North, emphasising the importance of investment in people and place.
- Nocciola the Drawer (Hazel Oakes), illustrator, mural artist and founder of STRIKE Collective, championing creativity as a tool for empowerment.
- Debbie Connell, Curator at the Bob Abley Gallery
- Lizzie Lovejoy, writer and artist, who moved the entire room with a powerful poem written live during the event.
A key highlight of the day came from the women‑led group STRIKE Collective, who invited attendees to take part in the creation of a brand‑new collaborative artwork. This piece, shaped by contributions from guests throughout the day, is now proudly on display in the Maker Space.
International Women’s Day also marked the official opening of Echoes of Her North: the quiet architects of our communities, a new exhibition celebrating the stories, experiences, and voices of women across the region. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Saturday, 10am–4pm in the Memorial Room at the Bob Abley Gallery in Spennymoor Town Hall, and all are welcome to visit.
Spennymoor Town Council extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, contributed, and supported this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations. Your presence helped make the event a meaningful and memorable occasion for our community.
