Monmouth Women's Festival

This year’s 7th Women’s Festival marks a string of anniversaries and special days and the festival organisers have certainly decided to celebrate them in style! There are 15 events - something to suit everyone!

No one could fail to be impressed by this year’s line up which in a stunning coup is headlined by Jung Chang author of “Wild Swans” and Jo Salter - Britain’s first women fighter pilot. Buy your tickets in advance as all seats are limited!

March 5th The festival programme kicks off in the Nelson Museum with an event tying in with the Festival of Flight. Enjoy coffee and view the museum’s brand new exhibition "Ballooning Belles".

March 7th The Festival’s literary lunch this year features Deborah Kay Davies, winner of the 2009 Wales Book of the Year Award. Join Carole Herman, Head of Monmouth Comprehensive and Anne Jones Principal Librarian MCC and hear about their initiative: “Getting into Reading”

March 11th In an event held in conjunction with Monmouth NCT, Kirsty Williams AM will address audiences about the importance of women in politics and the need for greater representation for women political life. Join her for a glass of wine and what promises to be a lively discussion.

March 12th The ticket office has barely opened and the phones have not stopped ringing. The interest in Jung Chang has been enormous! Her talk “From Wild Swans to Mao” tells of her life growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution and her passage from peasant doctor to steelworker and finally her move to England. Her story has sold more than 15 million copies
which speaks volumes in itself. Tickets available from The Blake Theatre.

March 14th No one is better qualified to speak on the topic of “Difficult Places” than Monmouth’s very own peer: Baroness Park of Monmouth - a fascinating speaker appreciated by people of all ages and all walks of life. Baroness Park was one of MI6’s senior controllers for more than 30 years and will open our eyes to her life of intrigue and her extraordinary experiences in the corridors of power.

March 15th Look out for a special day of events as we welcome Jo Salter, who when she flew the tornado GR1 was one of only 5 women fighter pilots in the world!
Jo will be in Monmouth all day working with the Girl Guides and some of the schools. Her evening talk “Women can be fighter pilots too” will speak to everyone hoping to see an increased role for women in what have previously been considered men’s jobs.

March 16th & 17th Two films have been organized at The Savoy Theatre as part of the Festival. The first, “Zanzibar Soccer Queens” was produced by Florence Ayisi, Reader in Film Practise from the University of Wales. Her fascinating portrait of a women’s football team, shows their courage and determination to better their lives in a traditional Muslim society.
The second film “Cho-Oyo” tells the story of the 1959 all female ascent of Cho-Oyo in the Himalayas. The evening will be introduced by Audrey Salkeld, who is the world's most renowned mountaineering historian.
Tickets available from The Savoy.

March 19th The Festival culminates in a red hot evening at the Queen’s Head with the irresistible rhythms of violinist and vocalist Azhaar Saffar’s trio.

Full details of the programme and ticket offices are available online. Please remember that there is limited seating, and some events are selling quickly. All tickets can be purchased online at website link or in person from the Nelson Museum. Tickets for Jung Chang only can be purchased from The Blake Theatre and tickets for both of the films can be purchased from The Savoy Theatre.

Tickets for Jung Chang and Jo Salter are selling fast - please reserve your places in advance