'Reclaiming the night' South Ribble to Preston march to call for end to violence against women and girls
‘It will be possible for women to be uplifted together, empowered by one another and celebrated by their wider society.’
A march from South Ribble to Preston will call for an end of violence toward women and girls.
The Reclaim the Night event will be held in South Ribble and Preston on Tuesday, November 24, starting at 6pm outside Ashbridge-on-Ribble Nursery, London Way, and open to everyone.
Organised by Bamber Bridge Women’s Shed, the event calls for an end to violence against women and girls and promotes the right for everyone to feel safe in public spaces.
Emma Stevens, chair of Bamber Bridge Women’s Shed, said: "One of the recommendations of the Misogyny Working Group I chaired at South Ribble Borough Council in one of my other roles as a Councillor was for a women-centred march to take place. I have since discovered the best way to get anything done from a working group you proposed, created and chaired is to do it yourself. Voilà!”
"We need more, not less, women-led and/ or women-oriented groups in both South Ribble and Preston. This will offer as many women as possible a safe, inclusive and diverse place. Then it will be possible for women to be uplifted together, empowered by one another and celebrated by their wider society.”
"This peaceful, positive, collaborative and game-changing event for South Ribble and Preston promises to be a success for many reasons. There is no cost whatsoever to attend and anyone and everyone is invited to take part!”
“I will be standing down as a Councillor in May 2027, forever proud and happy to have put Bamber Bridge and South Ribble back on the map when it comes to anti-VAWG and misogyny action and founding a much-needed women-only community group myself. It is through Bamber Bridge Women’s Shed that I will continue reclaiming the night for not only myself but all other survivors.”
The event will begin with a meet-up point outside Ashbridge-on-Ribble Nursery for 5:45pm. The march will then begin at 6pm. It will end at Crossgate Church, Preston and be followed by a social event featuring speakers, music and networking.
Attendees are welcome to take part in the march or head straight to Crossgate Church if this is not accessible for them. A range of local organisations are supporting the event - Hope Prevails Preston, Girls Who Walk Preston CIC, Safenet, Key Charity, Girls Who Walk Chorley and DASSL.
Reclaim the Night is part of a long-running movement across the UK, bringing people together to demand safety and freedom in public spaces.
Organisers are asking local organisations who would be willing to host banner-making sessions and/or donate any safety objects like glow sticks or fairy lights for our attendees, to contact them via links below.
Useful links: