News from around the region.

REGIONAL MEETING – 12th February

It was lovely to see so many ladies at the meeting where we welcomed Federation President Liz to the region where she started her soroptimist journey. Pictured below are Regional President Carys, Federation President Liz & Regional President Elect Rhian.

 

The afternoon session provided clubs with an opportunity to discuss the new regional project after an introductory talk by Linda Pritchard from Project 51 who shared some of the work this organisation is undertaking with girls and women on issues relating to alcohol abuse.

REGIONAL MEETING – 20th November

At President Carys’ first meeting we heard from Conference Virgins from SI Bridgend, Port Talbot & Pontypridd – all of whom enjoyed the experience.                                                             

 Sue Prosser (SI Port Talbot) shared her experience in verse

Conference Virgin 2010

 

As the club conference virgin I awaited the train,

Off up to Manchester would there be rain?

I met the club veterans who’d bagged tables and space

For crisps and pics and pink sparkle – disgrace!

 

The journey was joyful with laughter and chat

The veterans sharing their this’s and that’s,

Fondly remembering of when they wore the ribbon

That instantly showed – here comes a virgin.

 

But never fear, there was more than club motions

We’re off shopping for perfume and potions.

We had kitty who bought even bus passes

And she also paid for one or two glasses.

 

So when I travelled home on the Sunday train,

I thought to myself ‘I’ll never be the same’

So thanks to you all for looking after me

I learned such a lot about SIGBI.

 

SI Cardiff

An Afternoon Tea on 16th October at President Giselle’s raised £630 for local charities one of which will be Barnados Marlborough Road project.  The other charities will be voted on by members.  It was a glorious sunny afternoon and members and guests were able to enjoy Giselle and Dave’s lovely garden as well as enjoying a sumptuous tea.  Crafts were on sale too kindly made by Giselle’s daughters and by former club president Jacquie James.

Message from IPP Sue

Dear All Wales South Members
 
Thank you all for the privilage of being your Regional President; I hope in some way I have done justice to the post. Thanks most sincerely for you e mails and cards in support,  i t has been phenomenal and welcomed and very much appreciated It has been an honour; it now leaves me great pleasure in handing over to Carys and wish her well for her Presidential Year at our helm.

Saturday September 11th

saw Soroptimists from all over the region undertaking a ‘Walk for Peace’ along Aberavon Sea Front. Although very windy, the sun was shining and everyone enjoyed the brisk sea air. A lovely way to end President Sue’s last meeting and a wonderful message to share with the people of Port Talbot.

 

SI Cardiff and District

 
Six members of SI Cardiff & District and Cilla from SI Pontypridd took part in the Great Taff Tidy, an initiative of Keep Wales Tidy in their endeavour to clean the rubbish from the River Taff.  The stretch of river covered was near Nantgarw.  The river was low allowing members to wade in the water in their wellies.  The organiser remarked on the ‘enthusism of the ladies’. The accumulated bags of rubbish were collected by RCT local council.  Members are considering adopting this stretch of the river on a more permanent basis.  SI Cardiff & District already have a cleaning job!  Members have adopted the beach at Swanbridge which they clean 4 times a year.
 

 

SI Neath – Friendship visit

On a recent visit to Romania at the end of August  2010 Members of SI Neath are pictured with their Freindship Link club SI Targoviste at the town hall. Members were greeted by the town Mayor.Ten members of SI Neath were hosted by members of SI Targoviste and had the opportunity to visit a school project in a local village.

SI Swansea

Immediate Past President of SI Swansea, Viv Hanford, presented Wales Air Ambulance with a cheque for £580. 
In the picture from left to right
Pilot Dave Guiney,
Paramedic Aneurin Heath (- whose mum was a member of SI Merthyr),
Vice President Wales South Rhian Williams,
Members of SI Swansea – Sandra Pengelly, Viv Hanford,
Paramedic David Wookey, and President Elect SI Swansea Jane Watkeys.
 
As the photo shows it was typical Swansea weather – wet and windy!  The ladies had a great time with the crew including a most welcome hot cup of coffee.
At the end of the visit at Fairwood Airport, the crew had a call out – over this holiday period they have an average of 3 call outs per day.  SI Swansea were so lucky that they could spare them some time.

Supper & Ideas Evenings

Supper & Ideas evenings were held in the West, Middle and the East of our region during June.  These evenings were attended by all but one club and there was a positive Soroptimist buz in all three evenings.  Wales South Soroptimists are keen and enthusiastic to move our organisation forward.  The evenings were opened by Regional President Sue and Vice President/ Extension a& Membership Officer Rhian Williams . 
We heard how SI Barry with Past President Iris Hopkins changed the running of the club and presidential year.  All members had an input to the year as they were put into groups with a leader who had responsibility to organise three/four months of the year with guest speakers and one fund raising event.  All members felt valued. 
Goridan Appleton, Past President of SI Carmarthen talked about a day time meeting for the older members of the club every other month.  These meetings were chaired by Gordina, with a variety of activities/ talks arrranged specifically for them.  These ladies now felt part of SI Carmarthen as they could attend a meeting and not miss out on the Soroptimist news etc. 
After the talks by Iris and Gordina, Ann Hodgson, Federation Councillor Wales South gave details of marketing our clubs.  Supper was enjoyed by all in all three venues – Nantyffin Hotel nr Narberth, Churchills, Cardiff and Aberavon Beach Hotel.  Past Federation President Carwen Wynne-Howells joined us at Nantyffin.

 

      

SI Port Talbot

Soroptimist International Port Talbot (SIPT) launched the Port Talbot Community Festival with a fashion show held at the Margam Orangery on Monday 24th May.
The event was attended by the incoming Mayor of Neath/Port Talbot, Councillor Lella James, and Vice President of the Special Needs Activity Centre (SNAC) at Taibach, Mrs Denise Rogers.
More than 200 ladies attended the show and, after morning coffee, the show began.
Quality garments and accessories provided by local dress agency ‘Glad Rags’ were
modelled by local ladies who excelled in sashaying along the length of Margam Park’s elegant Orangery.
There were numerous craft stalls selling, amongst other items, beautifully made jewellery, bags, cakes, and silk scarves. Throughout the day students of the Hair and Beauty courses at Afan College demonstrated their skills to great effect.
After a delicious lunch the ladies present relaxed and enjoyed the magnificent surroundings of Margam Park.
Proceeds of the event, approximately £2000, are to be donated by SIPT President Mrs Cath Phillips to SNAC at Taibach.
 
Photo includes Madam Mayor, SI P ortTalbot President Cath Phillips and NPTCBC Cultural Services Officers
The club hopes to host a similar event as part of next year’s Festival – this year’s event was a sell out so tickets will be at a premium!

SI Barry

Barry Rugby Club and Barry and District Soroptimists got together recently to mark International Day to Eradicate Violence Against Women, otherwise known as White Ribbon Day. In 1999 the UN officially recognised 25th November as White Ribbon Day, and events are now held each year, in countries all over the world. Wearing a white ribbon is a way of men showing their commitment to challenging all forms of violence against women and girls.  Local Soroptimists approached the Rugby Club to ask for their support, and were very pleased when players agreed to wear a white ribbon at their home match on December 5th, to show their commitment to the worldwide campaign.

The attached photo shows Mrs Iris Hopkins, President of SI Barry and District, Club members and the members of Barry Rugby Club

SI Swansea

SI Swansea Beach Clean

Swansea Soroptimists took part in a beach clean during September 2009, led by Sandra Pengelly Programme Action Co-ordinator   

SI Pontypridd.

Follow the link to find out about SI Pontypridd’s donation to The Nyakarambi Village Health Clinic.

http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/wales-south/files/2009/06/si-pontypridd.pdf

SI Carmarthen

Game lunch

Members of SI Carmarthen along with Soroptimists from across South Wales, had a Sunday lunch with a difference when they supported a charity Game Lunch at the home of one of their members, Regional President Hilary Allman. All proceeds are to go towards Soroptimist International Wales South Licking Lassa Fever campaign

SI Newport

President Lesley Morgan with Mayor and Mayoress of Newport and Mrs Rosemary Butler AMSI Newport Peace Tree in Newport Cathedral, St Woollos

Soroptimist International of Newport and District celebrated the International Day of Peace this year by creating a Peace Tree. The people of Newport and surrounding areas sent in their messages of Peace and Tolerance to form the leaves of the Peace Tree.

A Prayer for Peace

Gracious Lord, Grant us peace; hear in the UK and around the world.

Let us live in harmony, loving one another, forever, together.

Show us how to respect each other and to work as a family should, through our lives.

Help us to accept different cultures, whatever they may be and to allow people to rest in silence.

Guide us onto the right path, to have a violence free world.

With your help Lord, through prayer, gives us peace. Thank you OLord