SOME OF OUR PAST EVENTS.

Bradford Women's Business Group (BWBG) October 2011 Meeting

The October meeting of Bradford Women's Business Group (BWBG) was held at the19th century Italianate mansion of Heaton Mount - one of the stunning jewels of Bradford's crown.

This sometime hidden gem is coming into its own, combining the best of old and new.

Heaton Mount retains the heritage and glory of its distinguished past while offering state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities and providing contemporary services as a wedding and hotel venue.

Our speaker was Bradford School of Management Dean Dr Sarah Dixon whose talk, 'How to Succeed Despite All Obstacles', gave an extraordinary overview of a business career spanning time at the Shell Group up to her present role overseeing one of Europe's leading full-service business schools (ranked 9th in the UK by the Financial Times).

Sarah's inspiring insight into her career path was delivered in a personable and engaging manner.

The lunch, as usual at Heaton Mount, was delicious and of a high standard.

It was fantastic to see such a great attendance to this event and a number of new members and guests who we hope will continue to come to our meetings and enjoy the successful mixture of business networking and making friends in a relaxed and unthreatening environment.

Amanda Kirby Editorial Services: www.editorialbyamanda.co.uk

'17th birthday celebrations'

Friday 22nd July saw the celebration of our 17th birthday at the Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford, with a champagne reception and three course buffet lunch.

Our guest speaker his year was BWBG member, Bradford born entrepreneur and founder of Horizon and Candelisa People recruitment agencies Jane Vincent. Jane was also winner of the Bradford Telegraph and Argos Business Woman of the Year award 2011.

Jane spoke about 'her journey' as a Bradford woman and a Bradford business woman and also about her latest role as ambassador for Positive Bradford, a new initiative developed to create a positive profile of Bradford.

We were also honoured to have the Lord Mayor of Bradford, councillor Naveeda Ikram as a special guest. She congratulated the group on its longevity and looked forward to helping us celebrate our 20th anniversary. She also emphasised how important women's business groups are. Finally she thanked us for the £100.00 raised from a raffle on the day in aid of the Lord Mayors Appeal chosen charity, which this year is Marie Curie Cancer Care's Bradford hospice.

Picture shows left to right:
BWBG member Edwina Clough, founder member Maggie Fleming, MD of Candelisa People and guest speaker Jane Vincent, Lord Mayor councillor Naveeda Ikram, Mrs Yasmeen Ikram and BWBG member and party organiser Karen Toth-Jones.

Raffle prizes were donated by the following people.

• Breeda Barry - The Ear Trust
• Jane Vincent - Candelisa People
• Jill Kemp - Care Recruitment Specialists Ltd
• Caroline Smith - Travel Councellors
• Gill Wright - Lotus Seed Process
• Caroline Towers - Arbonne
• Clare Williams - Heaton Mount
• Christine Garthwaite - Harmonize Office
• Sandra Corcoran - Pennine Cycles
• Karen Toth-Jones - Party Perfection
• Edwina Clough - Kay Print
• The Lord Mayor's Committee

'Belly laughs at the January meeting'

Our first meeting of 2011 gave us an insight into the sparkling world of belly dance and a chance to shimmy off the excesses of the festive season.

Qualified belly dancing teacher and acclaimed professional performer, Jeanette Taylor, told us about the culture, traditions and history of the art form, as well as revealing the numerous health and well being benefits.

Jeanette then guided us through some of the moves and encouraged us to shake our stuff.

The meeting was held in the dance studio at Heaton Tennis and Squash Club and the appetite we had worked up from all the wiggling was wonderfully satisfied by a sumptuous Mediterranean buffet prepared, and explained to us, by the venue's renowned chef.

If you would like to try belly dancing, Jeanette holds a number of local classes for beginners. Ring her on 01535 662849 or email taylorjeanette@tiscali.co.uk for details.

Jeanette is also organising a charity hafla (belly dance party) in aid of breast cancer cause Just Because, at Victoria Hall in Keighley on Friday May 20 from 7.30pm Cost £6.00 in advance, £8.00 on the door (children £3.00).

Written by Amanda Kirby of Amanda Kirby Editorial Services, www.editorialbyamanda.co.uk
Photographs by Maggie Fleming

'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen!'

BWBG's 'Sweet Sixteen' birthday meeting in July was a stylish affair held at the elegant Dubrovnik Hotel on Oak Avenue.

Long-standing and new members were greeted with a champagne reception followed by a delicious four-course lunch.

The event was a fund-raising occasion for local unique charity, The Ear Trust. Dedicated Ear Trust fund-raiser Breeda Barry was in attendance and organised the prize-rich raffle that generated £120 for her cause.

The highlight of the afternoon was a talk by our guest speaker, Councillor Valerie Binney (above right), former Lord Mayor of Bradford from 2005 to 2006, who spoke entertainingly and informatively of her action-packed year in office.

Valerie has been involved in politics for around 37 years and is celebrating a decade as a councillor. Her personal style and warm manner won her many votes of confidence at our special birthday meeting.

Over forty members and guests attended our 15th birthday party at the Dubrovnik Hotel earlier this month, to help celebrate 15 years of successful networking.

Our guest speaker on the day was Tracey Barraclough who, despite having an extensive list of roles and achievements, asked to be introduced merely as 'Tracey Barraclough Fabulously Dysfunctional'. Tracey gave a highly entertaining talk about her history, her motivation and life as an Inspirational speaker, competitive bodybuilder, renowned hypnotherapist, winner of West Yorkshire's Healthy Lifestyle Hero in 2008's Healthy Lifestyle Awards. She later answered questions and networked with members and guests, she also kindly donated a raffle prize, which along with other donated gifts raised over £150 in aid of Bradford Cancer Support.

BWBG member Karen Toth Jones of Party Perfection was responsible for the entire organisation of the event, before, during and after, making it an extremely successful day. The function room at the Dubrovnik was beautifully decorated, the food was delicious and the service first class, so an enormous thank you goes to Karen.

Once again the 'goody bags' were in evidence and special thanks go to the sponsors who were:

Karen Toth-Jones, Party Perfection & RBS Architects - Edwina Clough, Kay Print Limited - Gill Sandford, Gillys Lillies - Amanda Kirby, Amanda Kirby Editorial Services - Angela Riches, Mad Publications - Lynsey Hill-Mawson, Apperley Design - Sure Slim - Carolyn Townesly, Business Link - Helen Charters, High Trenhouse and Beverley Almond, Hollins Hall.

Many thanks also to all who donated gifts for the raffle as well as all the guests for helping to make it a great event.

'Supporting a Sound Cause'

Members of Bradford Women's Business Group gathered for a sound cause at the October meeting when they visited the unique Listening for Life Centre in the grounds of Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).

The Centre recently received its official royal opening by HRH The Duke of Gloucester and provides a hi-tech and pioneering base for the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service (YCIS). The cochlear implant - a small piece of modern technology, nicknamed the 'bionic ear' - gives people, from young to old, the chance to hear. For some it will be the first time in their lives that they have been able to hear sounds.

The Listening for Life Centre is the brainchild of Mr Chris Raine, surgeon and ear, nose and throat consultant at BRI, who set up the Ear Trust charity which funds all areas of YCIS not available on the NHS. Mr Raine called in to our meeting to welcome us to the cutting edge facilities at the Centre - which is the first of its kind in the UK and is helping put Bradford on the map.

Showing us round the building and equipment to improve the diagnosis, rehabilitation and education of cochlear implant patients from across the whole of Yorkshire, was long-term Ear Trust stalwart Breeda Barry, who also organised a fund-raising raffle.

Written by Amanda Kirby of Amanda Kirby Editorial Services. www.editorialbyamanda.co.uk