We've cleared up and locked up after a fine day of celebrations for International Women's Day. We've talked with our sisters in other countries, cooked and eaten together, sung and chatted and had all kinds of fun.

20:00 - Tired, but satisfied. We've had a great day, with lots of help from our fantastic volunteers. Everything is really nicely cleaned up, and it's nearly time for bed! :)

Many thanks to everyone that came, helped, and joined us in having a wonderful International Women's Day ...

19:10 - Phew - on the last lap now, we've been dancing and laughing and Aman has been looking after and playing with a LOT of children! Assisted by the wonderful Abi. Food is being cleared away and so are toys - although they keep coming back out again!

17:30 - Getting lively now as the women come with their children after school, the Ethiopian music is on and Sudanese women are set to lead the dancing! There's lots of cake and samosas and noise!

Spoke to Naomy in Kenya, Sheila Chennals from Sidney Stringer School came over especially - it was great to catch up with her

15:52 Just been to visit Dorothy who is sick and can't come today - she lent us a CD player so that we can have some music!! We've had a few songs - Russian, Dutch and Sudanese so far - hopefully more to come. Just starting to tidy up to prepare for the party. Going to be calling Kenya in ten minutes to speak to Evelyne and Naomy :-)

14:09 - Atika is here and is doing some lovely designs in Mendhi on women's hands. We have been collecting messages from women and here is one that Aya sent us after we talked to her

Women of Coventry! My love!!
You all give me a strength to look up and be proud of myself.
One of the good things about being a woman is that we are good at having each other as allies. Aya - Japan

13:05 - Hiya, Fatemah here, just arrived, lots of lovely ladies here eating, chatting, laughing. I've just started having my lunch and trying a delicious chocolate cake with coconut, deadly but divine- oh well! I'll just have to work extra hard at the gym!!

12:20 - Food has arrived and more women are here to enjoy the delicious curry and rice courtesy of Punjabi Foods. Angela is cooking some acki and salt fish.

11:20 - Just skyping with Aya - its so nice, even though it reminds us how much we miss her and our others friends far away :-(

10:30 - Jess Pinson has been telling us all about the women's event at the Herbert next weekend - sounds good! Meanwhile, Salma's arrived with "salabia" - Sudanese doughnuts with coconut, that are a bit like a cross between Indian jalabi and Kenyan mandazi. Delicious!!

09:50 - Looking forward to having lots of fun with our lovely women. Bring a scarf or some jewellery to swap, bring a friend, children, food, a song or just yourself!

09:24 - Just doing last minute tidy up and Heather has gone out to buy snacks! Look forward to seeing you some point today.We're starting at 10 o'clock with coffee morning and international phone calls / skype-ing. Come and chat to Aya in Japan!

08:14 - we are just beginning to set up for today's events for International Women's Day. There will be food, international skyping and phone-calls, great company and conversation, mendhi, a party and much much more.

Pop in if you can - and keep up with the days events here as they happen ...