INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and has been for more than 100 years.

This year a group of Bridport feminists are planning a range of activities to encourage everyone, men and women, to get behind the spirit of the event – and have fun at the same time.

Bridfem member Margie Savory said: “The day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas needing further action.”

Bridfem’s celebrations start with the film Whale Rider on Saturday, March 1 in the WI Hall in North Street.

The film starts at 7.30pm with soup on sale beforehand at 6.45pm. Entry is £3 or less if people cannot afford it.

After the film on the same night the monthly disco will be a Frolic for Feminism, starting at 9.30pm at the Beach and Barnicott. Entrance is free.

On Friday, March 7 there will be a community pop-up play about the Brontes, upstairs in the Avenue Restaurant, 33 West Street at 7pm, hosted by Beth Shaw, co-author of the play and of the Domestic Theatre Handbook.

The event is also free.

On the morning of Saturday, March 8 there will be performers and stalls in Bucky Doo Square.

Mrs Savory added: “This will be a very social gathering with opportunities for discussion, to browse at the market and hear the singers and musicians, and with a midday surprise.”

Madeleine Goodey will tell stories of Clever Girls and Cunning Creatures for children in the library on Saturday, March 8 from 10.30am to 11.30am for under fives at 10.30am, and for over 5s at 11am.

In the evening comedian Shappi Khorsandi will be at the Bridport Arts Centre On Sunday, March 9 there will be a free lunchtime singing event at the Chapel in the Garden at 1pm involving five local choirs, sharing peace songs to mark the centenary of 1914.

On Sunday, March 9 at 7.30pm the Bridport Arts Centre will be showing An Angel at My Table.

There’s a Women’s Day Open Mic Night at the Beach and Barnicott at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 12 with poet Anna Freud.

All-comers are invited to read poems or short prose pieces of less than four minutes in length.

To register contact Ruth Katz at jurassicruth@gmail. com to book a slot or just come along and try on the night. Entrance is free.

Mrs Savory added: “BridFem is a group of women in Bridport who meet monthly in a friendly informal way at the Beach and Barnicott. All women are welcome at the monthly meetings, and at the next one on Wednesday, April 2 at 7.30pm there will be a discussion about books, films, TV shows and music which have a feminist theme or perspective.”

The group also has a Facebook page and they can be contacted on bridfem@hotmail.co.uk