rochester literature festival – The Net Community Hub

This March, we’re proud to return in partnership with the Rochester LitFest for Medway Women’s History Month 2026, a bold, brilliant and unapologetically powerful celebration of women’s voices, stories and achievements.

Four powerhouse events. Two inspiring Saturdays. One unstoppable celebration of women.

Across two inspiring Saturdays, 28 February and 28 March, we bring together trailblazers, creatives, campaigners, business leaders and storytellers for four extraordinary events designed to inform, ignite and empower.

From fearless conversations and cultural commentary to business leadership and literary brilliance, this is Women’s History Month done properly: big ideas, brave voices and women lifting up women.

Why Women’s History Month matters

Women’s History Month is more than a celebration, it is a call to remember, recognise and reclaim the stories that history too often sidelines. It shines a spotlight on the women who changed the world, the women changing it now, and the women who will shape its future.

Storytelling is power. When women share their experiences, challenge injustice, lead with courage and create with brilliance, they don’t just inspire, they change culture.

Medway Women’s History Month 2026 is a space for connection, conversation and community. A place to be energised, empowered and reminded of just how extraordinary women truly are.

Because women’s stories deserve centre stage.
Because representation matters.
Because the future is being written right now.

EVENT 1

Medway Women’s History Month 2026 Launch

Saturday 28 February 2026, 12:00pm

The Net and Rochester Literature Festival proudly presents the opening event of Medway Women’s History Month 2026, a powerful, joyful and inspiring celebration of women who lead, create and change the world.

This is Women’s History Month done properly. Big ideas, brave stories and fearless creativity, brought together in one energising lunchtime event.

Join us as we launch a month of celebration with three extraordinary women whose journeys span leadership, entrepreneurship and the arts. Expect insight, inspiration, laughter and a room full of women lifting up women.

Our speakers

Ann West MBE JP DL
Former Chair of the North Kent Magistrates Bench, Kent Ambassador, Chatham Historic Dockyard Ambassador and Patron and Trustee of multiple local charities, including our selves at the hub. Ann is a lifelong leader and champion for community, service and opportunity. Her story is one of dedication, impact and purpose.

Mary Eniolu
Founder of Can-Do Academy, Mary empowers individuals and organisations to enhance performance, productivity and profitability without compromising wellbeing. She is passionate about helping people unlock their potential and create lives and businesses that truly thrive.

Bev Bunn
Creative force, storyteller and stand-up comedian. Bev made her Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2025 and is already booked for the Comedy Store in 2026. She will share her creative journey and finish the event with a comedy set guaranteed to lift the room and leave you smiling.

This is a celebration of women who dare, do and deliver.
Come for the stories. Leave inspired. Get your tickets here.

EVENT 2

The Commodification of Women’s Bodies

Saturday 28 February 2026, 2:00pm

A fearless and necessary conversation about one of the most urgent human rights issues of our time.

Pornography, prostitution and surrogacy are often presented as empowering choices. The reality for most women is very different. Coercion, trafficking, poverty and desperation shape these industries far more than freedom or consent.

This hard-hitting panel discussion explores the truths behind the headlines and the real-world impact on women’s lives.

Join journalist and co-author of Pornocracy Jo Bartosch in conversation with Amanda Quick of Nordic Model Now and Annaig Birdy of Not All Gays.

Together they will examine how women’s bodies are bought, sold and commodified, and why this matters for women’s rights, safety and dignity.

This is a space for honest discussion, respectful debate and courageous conversation.

This event is for women who care about justice, equality and human rights, and for allies who want to understand the realities behind the rhetoric.

Expect insight, compassion, clarity and challenge.

This is not always an easy conversation, but it is a vital one.

Get your tickets here.

EVENT 3

Celebrating Kent and Medway Women in Business

Saturday 28 March 2026, 10:30am

Has the glass ceiling finally been shattered, or are women still climbing an uneven ladder?

Join an inspiring panel of Kent and Medway business leaders for an honest, empowering and practical conversation about ambition, leadership, resilience and success.

This is a morning for women who run businesses, lead teams, dream big, take risks and want to learn from others who have walked the path before them.

With networking before and after, this is a chance to connect with like-minded women, share stories, swap ideas and build powerful professional relationships.

Hosted by Sian Murphy, Women in Business Big Show and Radio Show

Panellists:

Deborah Turner, Breakthrough Women
Michele Yianni, Future Insight
Adelle Martin, Stronger Together Through Cancer
Grace Kelly, North Kent and Medway Women in Business

These are women who are building businesses, breaking barriers and rewriting the rules.

Expect real talk, real insight and real inspiration.

Come for the conversation. Leave with confidence.

Get your tickets here.

EVENT 4

Lissa Evans in Conversation

Saturday 28 March 2026, 2:30pm

Spend an inspiring afternoon in the company of one of Britain’s most loved storytellers.

Rochester Literature Festival is delighted to welcome bestselling author, screenwriter and comedy producer Lissa Evans for a warm, witty and fascinating conversation about writing, creativity and storytelling.

Lissa is the author of seven acclaimed novels including Their Finest Hour and a Half, which was adapted into the film Their Finest, and the much-loved trilogy Crooked Heart, Old Baggage and V for Victory. Her most recent novel, Small Bomb at Dimperley, is set in a large country house just after the Second World War.

She is also the author of award-nominated children’s books Small Change for Stuart and Wed Wabbit, and the memoir Picnic on Craggy Island about her time producing the iconic sitcom Father Ted.

With a background in television comedy and a gift for storytelling, Lissa brings warmth, humour and insight to everything she does.

Expect laughter, literary magic and stories you will be thinking about long after you leave.

Get your tickets here.

Event Information for all events

Venue
The Net Community Hub
70 Silverweed Road
Walderslade
ME5 0QX

Tickets include tea and coffee.

If you require a wheelchair space, or face financial or physical barriers to attending an event, please email: community@waldersladehub.org

Last chance to celebrate Medway Women’s History Month!

Saturday 29th March from 12 noon. Doors open 11am for refreshments. All three events have their own separate tickets below the information.

The first event of the day, and we’re talking to fearless females who founded their own companies which culturally enrich their communities. From 12noon-1pm, meet Medway’s Creative Women.

The conversation will be chaired by our Project Manager, Jaye Nolan, who also founded the Rochester Literature Festival, our partner in these events. Festival Director Jaye has been a member of Medway’s cultural and creative community since 2010. A freelance writer since 2007, Jaye founded the festival in 2011, as a website resource to collate writing opportunities, but this quickly turned into live events – and here we are, 14 years later!

Lynne Parker decided twenty years ago that women were funny, after taking exception to a man telling her they weren’t. She promptly founded Funny Women CIC and set out to prove it. It’s just entering its twenty second year, with community projects, business training and awards among its many strands dedicated to empowering women in comedy and life in general.

Sue Davis, a freelance web content trainer also joins the panel. There is a major digital divide between the sexes when it comes to Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) around the world. Sue will share how she overcame the obstacles to create her own niche.

Reserve your space here

At 2pm, the Medway Women’s History Month team, led by Georgia Read-Cutting will host an interactive session to celebrate incredible women that no-one has heard of – prepare to be shocked! Bring along the name of the woman who most inspired you to share with the group, and we’ll see what else Alexa can find out about her – she might even make it into Georgia’s ‘Notable Women’ book, currently being written 🙂

Reserve your space here

Then from 4pm, join us for music, poetry and comedy, with a set from one of Medway’s most talented songstresses, Didi Bergman, who appeared at the launch of the Rochester Literature Festival, our Garden Party in Eastgate House Gardens nearly thirteen years ago!

Didi started working in several bands in 1993 as a bass player and backing vocalist, for about ten years. After that, she sang main vocals in a duo called Bergman Sigh. Her partner bought her a guitar and she started making up chord shapes and songs, and was invited out to play by some of her younger musician friends. She ended up playing small festivals and local pubs, once supporting Hazel O Connor. She has also been on bills with Martin Carthy, Nick Harper, and Judy Dyble. We can’t wait to hear her again 🙂

We’re also delighted that another long time friend of the RLF, the lovely Tender Eye, will share some poetry with us, along with comedy and poetry from some of the creative members of the MWHM team. And then, we party (BYOB!).

Reserve your space here.

The events are free, although there is a donation ticket, and tea and coffee will be available for a suggested £1 donation. If you have difficulty due to mobility or finance issues attending the hub, please contact Jaye at: community@waldersladehub.org as there is a travel bursary available to people living in Medway.

For the full programme, visit here.

We do hope you can join us 🙂

Tag: rochester literature festival

Medway Women’s History Month at The Net Community Hub

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