Fizz, finance and female empowerment are all on the menu as some of North Devon’s most inspiring women prepare to gather for a sparkling summer evening in Instow.

Set against the backdrop of the estuary at North Devon Cricket Club, the upcoming West Country Women Awards nomination celebration promises an uplifting mix of networking, storytelling and shared experiences. Fizz, finance and female empowerment are all on the menu as some of North Devon’s most inspiring women prepare to gather for a sparkling summer evening in Instow.

Set against the backdrop of the estuary at North Devon Cricket Club, the upcoming West Country Women Awards nomination celebration promises an uplifting mix of networking, storytelling and shared experiences.

The complimentary “Fizzy Friday Finance and Networking” event, taking place on Friday, June 5, will welcome nominees from across Northern Devon alongside former finalists, award organisers and local businesswomen.

This year, the cricket club has become a venue sponsor for the West Country Women Awards, helping shine a spotlight on women making a difference across the region.

Among those speaking during the evening will be Alison Savory, founder and director of VitaliQi Holistic Health Clinic in Barnstaple, and Sam Hastings from North Devon Hog Roast, both former finalists in the awards.

Hosting the evening is Alexis Bowater OBE, co-founder of the awards, alongside former North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, who has since retrained as a fully qualified financial adviser and now serves as an ambassador for the initiative.

Alexis said: “I love Instow and always enjoy returning to North Devon.

“There are so many incredible women being nominated in Northern Devon, and the awards consistently shine a light on extraordinary women.”

She added: “Having Selaine speak on her experiences of family finance I hope will help other women present, as we all know life rarely goes quite according to plan!”

Selaine, who welcomed previous winners to Westminster in 2023, said she had enjoyed nominating women from her home area for this year’s awards.

“There are so many categories, nominating takes a second, and those nominated get notified instantly of the nomination which spreads joy to a woman’s inbox,” she said.

Reflecting on one response she received, Selaine added: “I’m beyond thrilled, happy, humbled... you name it! Thank you.”

The evening will also feature Selaine’s keynote talk on “Family Finances”, drawing on her own family experiences and financial lessons learned along the way.

More information about the awards can be found at https://westcountrywomen.co.uk/, while places for the Instow event can be booked via https://events.humanitix.com/host/west-country-women.