Women of the World, a song written by Swindon’s Nick Weaver, has inspired Girls Unplugged to mark International Women’s Day.

Unplugged is a celebration of girl power and the positive energy that comes from pop music. The singer/songwriter has organised the event for Saturday, March 7, from 2pm to 4pm in the Post Modern Art Gallery, Theatre Square, Swindon.

Nick wrote the song, which he recorded with Giovanna Marcarella and Sonya Beale, a few years ago, but it was the obvious choice to support International Women’s Day in Swindon.

Giovanna will be performing Women of the World at the event, alongside local stars Charlie-Anne Bradford, Sunita, Isabel J Priestley and pupils from the Commonweal School in Old Town.

Nick said: “I only write positive uplifting music and I always thought I would like to use this song for International Women’s Day so when a parent of a student from Commonweal, Karen Roswell, approached me this year to take part in her event I jumped at the chance.’’

Nick belongs to The Big Heart, a group of musicians, artists, filmmakers who believe in self empowerment through unlocking our hidden spirituality by producing and promoting life-affirming art in all its guises..

Organiser Karen Roswell said: “Each of the artists featured in our Girls’ Unplugged event is female, and each has a special focus on women’s lives. It should make for a very interesting and poignant selection of work.”

The Central Library is also hosting an ‘Open House’ day of free events including: stalls and displays from community groups on ground floor, activities in the Reading Room such as Creative Journaling, led by Bea Menier, talks and discussions on the theme of ‘Income Inequality’ and ‘Equality for Women is Equality for All’; plus advice on setting up your own business. Other events include a special poetry and song performance by Cristina Newton.

Karen said: “Our motto this year is ‘make it happen.’ We will have a talk about income inequality by Tom Wilkes of Swindon Equality Group and a panel discussion with select Swindon business women about the importance of equality and top tips on how to work better in business.”

The Lord-Lieutenant for Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, accompanied by Swindon’s Deputy Mayor, will launch the day at 10am in the library.

It will be broadcast live by Swindon 105.5 fm, followed by a Khatak Dance performance by Dr Shavani Sharma of SAPAC. - Flicky Harrison