International Women’s Day 2026
As part of International Women’s Day 2026, we want to celebrate all the women who work to make
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park the fantastic place it is.
We’d like to introduce you to some amazing people who work here at the Park or with the Park to make it a place people visit and love.
Hi, I’m Michelle and I own Camellia Catering, operators of The Orangery Garden Cafe and The Orangery Gatehouse here at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
I set up my first restaurant at 26 years old, due to a love and passion for food, drink and social interactions.
I have always had a burning ambition for success without really understanding why. I had an idea, with drive and determination, it had to happen. After owning my own restaurants for 22 years, I have learned that I would rather fall on my own sword than anyone else’s.
It’s certainly been a test of resilience and determination and I have had the best time along the way.
Here at The Orangery, Mount Edgcumbe, I am so proud to say we run a female lead team who strive to deliver an outstanding service across the board. To mention a few: Our head chef Biruta has been with us for over 13 years, she has been the back bone of the business and I honestly couldn’t do it without her, from her food to her leadership, she is nothing short of inspirational. We have two female managers Zoe and Jazmin, both are beyond an asset to The Orangery, from everyday service, to our weddings and events, these females are on their game and make all of our customers feel like VIP’s.
It’s a true honour to be part of the breath taking Mount Edgcumbe and even more of an honour to be a woman in business
May the journey continue.
Hi, I’m Helen and I brought my business – The Upcycled Home Co – to Mount Edgcumbe in 2014.
My primary objectives were (and still are) to support small businesses and creative makers – locally, within the UK and Global Fairtrade Artisans.
Over the years it’s been an honour to support hundreds of incredibly talented women to platform their businesses and to be part of their individual journeys.
Show casing the huge range of talented female creatives is one of my greatest pleasures and has given life to a growing community of like minded women.
I offer free business advice and a creative space where all are welcome.
My creative workshops are attended by many ladies who not only enjoy learning new skills but also the social contact. As we live on a coastal peninsula isolation can be an issue specially with our older residents. They also enable female makers to establish their workshops in a friendly, welcoming environment.
I’m proud to be part of the amazing group of female entrepreneurs here at Mount Edgcumbe including my wonderful team of multi talented local women – without whom I would be unable to offer what I do.
I will continue to give my support and guidance wherever possible and am truly grateful to those women who enable me to run my Female Founded business here in the grounds of this stunning Country Park.
Hi, I’m Kate of Kate Williams Woven Art and I started operating my business here at Mount Edgcumbe in 2014
I bring to my Weaving practice tenacity, resourcefulness and a need to go it alone, not to follow the popular way. I also live by the Quaker principles which are in my blood and touch everything I do. IWD recalls for me the strength of my formidable Great Aunts, Nellie and Emily Staines, who were Quakers and suffragettes. In 1918, they hid six conscientious objectors in the cellar of their home and threw roof tiles, mud and buckets of water at the angry mob who were after them. Their mother, my Great Grandma, defended her house and flower beds with a broom. I see much of this strength today in my 90-year-old mother whose response to challenges is always “battling on”. I feel rather in awe of these ladies as I am a sensitive person who channels her energies instead into making woven art that responses to the challenges of the world in fluffy wool rather than roof tiles.
I love to share my knowledge to help inspire others, and I am thrilled have a student intern starting her weaving journey with me over the coming weeks.
Hi, I’m Jo, owner of Miss Ivy Events delivering events across the UK including here at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
Having started my career in retail managing three jewellery shops, I quickly discovered I loved not just choosing beautiful stock, but meeting people and creating welcoming spaces.
Sixteen years ago, I transitioned into event management — and found exactly where I was meant to be. Today, as Director of Miss Ivy Events, I host over 50 events each year from Stoke to Cornwall, building vibrant experiences that bring communities together.
Through our events, I’m proud to support over 1,000 independent traders and small businesses annually, providing them with platforms to grow, connect and thrive. What I love most is seeing the buzz when visitors meet friends, discover something new, and create lasting memories.
I’m incredibly fortunate to work with inspiring venues and passionate makers, and I truly believe in building strong communities through collaboration, creativity and shared success.
Hi, I’m Tamsin and I’m Cornwall Council’s Protected & Historic Landscapes Manager.
I am responsible for overseeing the council’s historic environment services and acting as the senior reporting officer for Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
I also provides strategic oversight for three teams hosted by Cornwall Council: Cornwall National Landscape, Tamar Valley National Landscape, and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
My role sits within the council’s Sustainable Growth & Place Directorate, where I have previously served as Principal Historic Environment Officer and Culture Manager. Across these positions, I have built extensive expertise in heritage-led regeneration, playing a key role in major projects including the Redruth High Street Heritage Action Zone and the creation of Kresen Kernow, the redevelopment of King Edward Mine, Geevor Tin Mine, Porthmeor Studios and the Leach Pottery in St Ives, alongside the second phases of development for the Hall for Cornwall and Tate St Ives. Before joining Penwith District Council in 2001 and later Cornwall Council in 2009, I worked as a curator at both the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
I am a past President of the South Western Federation of Museums & Art Galleries and served for over eight years as a committee member for the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A proud Cornishwoman, I’m also a Bard of Gorsedh Kernow and was awarded an MBE in 2025. An inspiring woman to me was Hazel Berriman, art historian, author, curator and teacher who taught me A’ Level History of Art at Truro School. Nearly 10 years later, I took over from Hazel as Curator of Art & Exhibitions at the Royal Cornwall Museum when Hazel became Director of Penlee Museum & Art Gallery.
Hi, I’m Marta owner of Baba Yaga’s Circus for all and also Movement with Marta operating here at Mount Edgcumbe.
I have been involved in Circus Arts since 2002 through the National Centre for Circus Arts in London. My journey was inspired by my aerial teacher Layla Rosa. Whilst working in London with Cardboard Citizens Theatre Company and Crisis Skylight, I became interested in social circus.
Taking part in the Cirque du Monde programme and completing four of the Cirque Du Solei’s social circus trainings in London, I have seen the therapeutic side of circus used to foster personal development in disadvantaged groups. I have also trained with influential women like Serenity Smith Forchion and took part in international exchange programs.
I moved to East Cornwall in 2011 and was lucky to receive one of the UnLtd. Social Enterprise Awards to help me to set up my own social circus venture on the Rame Peninsula bringing circus arts to rural communities.
I have been delivering circus classes, shows, projects, entertainment and collaborate with other social enterprises within Cornwall and Devon. In 2018 I moved my business to picturesque Mount Edgcumbe Country Park where Baba Yaga’s Circus for All resides in an old atmospheric barn and my circus adventure continues in beautiful surroundings.
My venture has been evolving in a last few years as a personal trainer and exercise specialist for individuals and groups including those with long term health conditions, delivering a unique mixture of circus and fitness.
My “Circus Fit” classes are aimed at women of all ages coming together in a nurturing environment to have fun and get fit in an unconventional way.
I would like to believe I contribute to women’s advancement creating a supportive and inspiring environment were women at any age and abilities can thrive through movement supporting theirs physical and mental wellbeing.
Hi, I’m Emily and I work at The Farriers Cafe as FOH Manager here at Mount Edgcumbe.
I have now been working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years-beginning with bar/restaurant work- it has its challenges like any job but I feel passionate about providing a great experience for customers and a positive working environment for colleagues. Working in this field allows me to use my artistic flair to plan events and improve our social media presence, using creative marketing strategies.
Hospitality is often not taken seriously as a long-term career path, but I think it’s important to show how valuable the industry is, especially as a woman that takes pride in her work and training the next generation.
Working in Mount Edgcumbe, I have the pleasure of working and collaborating with other successful and inspiring women that have supported me as I have developed in my role. Going forward in my career, I am branching out and working towards a personal training qualification, with the intention of running my own gym and accompanying cafe as my long-term ambition.
Hi, I’m Victoria and I’m Plymouth City Councils CEO of The Box.
I’ve worked in the cultural sector for my entire career and absolutely love it. I feel so lucky to be working in this sector. I’ve had fantastic opportunities to work with inspirational individuals from artists to audiences, colleagues to volunteers, journalists to writers.
My first job was Assistant Curator at the Mead Gallery part of the University of Warwick, from there I ran Angel Row Gallery a contemporary art space in Nottingham. I then went to Tate Liverpool as Senior Curator.
In 2002, I was appointed founding Director of Turner Contemporary in Margate. This was a start-up project as neither the building or organisation existed when I first took up the post. Having created the organisation and worked with architect David Chipperfield, I ran the gallery for 10 years before arriving at The Box in October 2021 – Plymouth’s new museum, gallery and archive which celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2025. I’m really proud of the social and economic impact that The Box has made on Plymouth and the region.
I have been supported throughout by many wonderful people who have believed in me. I have learnt a huge amount and hope that I’ve been able to inspire and support others on their journey too.
Hi, I’m Emily and I run the Ravenness Soul Forge.
I spent over 15 years in education as a teacher and SENDCo, advocating for children and families who felt unseen. Supporting others was always instinctive to me — but over time, I realised I was carrying more than I understood.
Alongside my professional life, I have always been an artist and creative. Since I was young, creativity has been the thread running through everything I do — a way of processing, expressing and making sense of the world.
My own healing journey led me into movement, trauma release and boxing — not as combat, but as empowerment. I discovered that strength is found in safety, expression and voice.
Ravenness Soul Forge was born from this integration of advocacy, creativity and embodied healing.
For me, “Give to Gain” means offering presence, space and belief — because when women are supported to rise, we all rise.
Hi, I’m Marjorie and my business, Marjorie Creek Consultancy Services Ltd, is based here at Mount Edgcumbe.
I work remotely as a solicitor and have a legal studio in the main house at Mount Edgcumbe, a stunning listed building in a beautiful park and a daily antidote to the complexities and stresses of my work.
I have been a member of the WRNS, HM Customs & Excise and a nursing sister, all of which have brought a multitude of skills to both my legal practice and service as a Magistrate on the Family Bench. I offer a pro bono legal clinic via the Peninsula Trust at the Rame Centre in Millbrook and enjoy supporting other local charities in their work, be it as a trustee or committee member.
The theme of this years IWD is ‘give to gain‘ and on reflection, I can say that I have gained so much from my varied public service and would advocate others to do the same, if they can, in supporting our community on the peninsula and beyond.