Weymouth Town Council is supporting International Women’s Day!

Staff and Councillors at Weymouth Town Council are celebrating International Women’s Day, which takes place on Saturday 8th March. Find out more below about some of their roles.

Caroline Nickinson, (pictured left above) is a Councillor on Weymouth Town Council and is also the Deputy Mayor of Weymouth. She is supporting International Women’s Day and tells us more about her varied roles:

“I was asked to stand for Council and got elected last May. At my very first meeting I was also asked to stand as Deputy Mayor, and I have to say I was absolutely delighted. I thoroughly enjoy the role as I love meeting people, and it has given me the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people and also the staff at Weymouth Town Council.

“I support the Mayor, Cllr Jon Orrell, by representing the Council at official engagements that he is unable to attend. These have included going to the Angling Club to give out their annual awards, the Aden Veterans Association Dinner, opening the new kitchen at the Weymouth Family Church and attending Weymouth Business Club’s Christmas dinner. I met with lots of people at the opening of the Radipole Park Gardens and play area, and also at Wyke Gardens for the free community event the Town Council held there last August.”

Speaking about her role as a Councillor, Caroline said: “I really enjoy the work, trying to resolve issues for residents. It’s totally different to anything I’ve done before, but I like a challenge.”

Caroline moved to Dorset from Essex in the mid 70’s with her husband and raised their two sons here in Weymouth. After a brief spell working at Dorset Council, Caroline secured a fundraising role with a local charity which over the years led to her leading the fundraising to establish the Dorset Children’s Centre, now part of Dorchester Hospital along with a number of other projects. 

She then became one of three Founding Trustees of the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester which is now part of Weldmar Hospicecare. Following its opening in 1994 she became its Director of Fundraising, a role she continued in until her retirement. She is now proud to be a Vice President of Weldmar. In recognition of her work to help improve medical facilities in this part of Dorset, Caroline was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bournemouth University.   

Reflecting on her career, and more recently her role in politics, Caroline said: “Personally, I don’t feel I’ve been held back as a woman, but I realise that this is not so for everyone. I like to be busy and active. And if I could give one piece of advice to any women thinking of getting into politics, it would have to be that you’ve got to give it your all. It is challenging, but it is also rewarding.”

Jane Biscombe, leads Weymouth Town Council as the Town Clerk, and is on the Senior Leadership team along with Charmaine Denny, Assistant Town Clerk. Jane said: “Success isn’t given, it’s driven. Empowered women don’t wait for change – they ignite it. We keep pushing, keep rising, keep accelerating, and keep lifting each other up.”

Charmaine Denny, Assistant Town Clerk, added: “I read an uplifting quote by the tennis star Serena Williams who said ‘The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up’. And that’s so true. I enjoy my work at Weymouth Town Council, from being one of two women on the Senior Leadership Team to working with young people on our Youth Council, we all bring different ideas and strengths to achieve positive actions for our communities, that’s why I’m supporting International Women’s Day.”

ENDS

Main photo, top of page – Cllr Caroline Nickinson, left, and Cllr Kate Wheller, right, join some of the staff at Weymouth Town Council to celebrate International Women’s Day