Club news 2009

On this page are brief descriptions of some of the Club activities in 2009
Speaker meeting- Water Aid
Stephen Turner was our guest speaker on 19 January 2009.He retired a year ago after working on policy issues for Water Aid for 18 years. He retains his interest and fervour to ensure that people throughout the world have access to clean drinking water.

 This was not the usual talk on water, not least because Peter knew that the club has supported water projects with enthusiasm. He emphasised that the supply of water must be accompanied by changes in behaviour. 50% of hospital beds in the world are occupied by people with water related illness- if only people washed their hands! Sanitation systems aren’t sexy and are rarely debated or supported in the same way that water projects are.

 As ever it is usually women and children who carry water, often long distances. 20 litres of water weigh 20 kilos. The UN recommends that 45 litres are needed per person per day.Inevitably politics and commercial business matters impact. There is competition for water resources- 10% is used for drinking and the rest is used for agriculture etc. Big corporations buy licences to extract water with long term implications.

 Traditional sources of water are also being challenged. For instance, Libya deep mines for water but it will run out; Peru is dependent on glacial water which, with climate warming, will go in 20 years.

 Stephen was thanked for his talk and the many issues he raised. The club hopes to take on an ambitious water project to celebrate its 60 anniversary.

Speaker meeting-An investigation into an ‘honour’ based murder.

A special lecture/ speaker meeting was held on Monday 6 April 2009 DCI Caroline Good from the Homicide & Serious Crime Command of the  Metropolitan Police talked  about the violent murder of a 20 year old Iraqi Kurdish woman by the male members of her family because she had flouted their cultural requirements of women.

Members and guests were horrified at the experiences of the victim and the difficulties the Police experienced in investigating the crime, including the problems in finding the body. We were impressed by DCI Goode’s determination and commitment to her work. She is now involved in offering training to Police officers on these crimes.
£75 was collected for the charity Karma Nirvana, an organisation in Derby that supports women at risk of honour retribution and recommended by DCI Goode.
 
 
 Citizenship Awards (formerly: Youth in the Community Awards)

 President Dinah congratulates the recipient of the Soroptimist cup

Our work with Cator Park School continues, with the award of book tokens or cheques, certificate and the Soroptimist cup to pupils aged 11-13 and 14-18, who’ve shown exceptional initiative, helped others or ‘gone the extra mile’. Caitlin, the recipient in 2008 is shown with President Dinah.
 
 Beckenham Bling

We are delighted that so much has been raised for the Welsh Lassa Fever project. Here’s our President Dinah with members of our Programme Action group and our latest haul of unwanted jewellery that wass ent to our Welsh sisters who will recycle or sell it to raise funds.
 Travels in Montana

Well you would not see this at conference in the UK!  On a Grant of Friendship to Montana in April Mary Dalman, from the Beckenham and District club, found herself in pyjamas at the North West Region of the Americas conference!  The Beautiful Dreamers Dinner (the equivalent of our banquet) was a fantastic evening of fun, friendship and memories that will last a long time.  It was just one highlight on a trip full of wonderful scenery and new faces who rapidly became Soroptimist friends.
Beckenham learns to bake.
 Fund raising made fun 
When Joanne Cheetham transferred to the Beckenham club she couldn’t believe how inept we were at baking cakes! Joanne combines a career as a senior Civil Servant with the ability to produce cakes, especially sponges, to die for. She decided to take action and raise money for club funds at the same time. Small groups of members have been invited into her kitchenfor baking lessons- a popular activity as it involves tasting the goods and having some to take home too. Members are almost persuaded by their Publicity officer’s claim that cakes made for charity have no calories….
Visitors to the club can look forward to muffins, lemon drizzle cake and more.
A century of blankets

The next consignment of blankets

Beckenham Soroptimists celebrated the 100th blanket made by its working group. Made mainly from donated or recycled textiles, the blankets are knitted and sewn together to make cheerful, bright comforters for children and young people. Currently distributed via the charity SMILE they are transported to Eastern Europe (where there are still orphanages for children with few comforts) and Africa.
Speaker meeting- Build Africa

Our speaker on Monday 1 June was Helen Sharp, Community & Event Fundraiser for Build Africa, a charity based in Tunbridge Wells providing help for communities in Kenya and Uganda.  The charity was started by the Baptist Church in the USA in 1978 but the UK charity is now independent of them. It focuses on education and enterprise working through staff employed locally.

They aim to raise £2.4 million in 2009/10. Their work has  included building 160 classrooms in 80 primary schools, training teachers and providing equipment. The enterprise initiative has helped 250 farmers to buy seeds, equipment and labour (thereby freeing their children to go to school).

More inforamtion is available on their website: www.build-africa.org

Caitlin, our Citizenship award winner speaks at Regional Conference

Beckenham Soroptimists were happy to bathe in the reflected glory as Caitlin, the recipient of our Citizenship award in 2008, spoke at the South East regional conference. She is shown with Regional President Jan Doyle

Knife Crime campaign

Nisa Cooper and Queenster Omari from Cator Park School with Soroptimist International Regional President Jan Doyle, at a conference on Enterprise and  Youth at the Hilton Hotel Maidstone.  They gave a presentation on the Don’t Use Knives Campaign that they have recently run in Bromley with the co-operation of the Metropolitan Police.

Walking in Westerham

Our new President is keen to extend our activities and fitness; a walk around the Westerham on May 4th was the start of her campaign. But in true Soroptimist fashion the afternoon ended with  a cream tea.

 Fund raising at Cudham fete

Blessed with glorious weather and lots of visitors the Club raised over £500 at Cudham fete. Books and home made cakes were particular favourites. The money will go to the President’s charity – the National  Deaf children’s Society

Quiz night

£170 was raised at the quiz night on 16 October. Mary Dalman set the challenging questions and then coped admirably with the customary challenges to her answers! As ever she was right.

 Independent Age

Beckenham Club had an interesting talk by Christine Maddy, the Area representative from Independent Age, the new name of the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association. It seemed so relevant to all Soroptimists that we considered that we should share it- apologies if you know all this already.

 Independent Age helps people over 70 with low incomes, especially people who have contributed substantially to the community professionally (e.g. nursing) or in a voluntary capacity. Whilst one off grants are made, the cherty is somewhat different in awarding additional regular income and supporting their beneficiaries for life; each recipient has a voluntary visitor. The charity also owns residential homes and housing schemes.

 If you know of anyone who may need such help please phone Independent Age on 020 7605 4200

 Speaker meeting- Bromley Conservation
Eva Prokup from the Conservation Team of London Borough of Bromley talked to our meeting on Monday 5 October 2009 about the conservation of habitats within the Borough. Half of the LBB, London’s largest Borough, is countryside and there are many sites of importance for nature conservation including species of animals, plants and countryside. The bicentenary of Charles Darwin and his 40 years of study in the Downe and Cudham areas is of particular interest. Members were encouraged to think of ways of supporting the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership.

Members raised the vexed question of the local (growing)  fox population and the future of fungus infected Horse Chestnut trees.  And all agreed that Eva’s presentation had inspired all to take another look at our surroundings.

A Soroptimist wedding

 

Beckenham Soroptimists joined Alison Driscoll to celebrate her marriage to Rene Meissner on 29 November 2009. We wish them a long and happy life together.