We were delighted to welcome Jean Coveyduck as an honoured guest at our Chinese New Year party. Our grateful thanks for the great job she did in organising this year’s Holly Fair. 

For more information click on SIGBI Brighton Conference

Scenes from the Conference

Left: Gill Steel, Conference Compere, at the podium. Right: Federation President Liz Morgan-Lewis giving her final address

Enjoying the splendid Gala Dinner

President Laraine learning a new skill

Members at the Southern Region Reception at the Hilton Hotel

Liz with husband, Roger, within hours of handing over the Federation presidency to Maureen Maguire

Another night on the town! Many restaurants offered Conference delegates discounts.

Our annual Holly Fair for 2011 was held on Saturday 22nd October at St Swithun’s School.  Tables were much in demand so we were able to choose a good mix of stall-holders.  The Fair attracted nearly 200 visitors and the money raised will be used to support our local, national and international charities.

Carol Forse and Anna Elder with Baby Beaufort's student "parents"

Last year we raised funds to provide a Realcare baby girl for The Henry Beaufort School, a mixed comprehensive school in Winchester for students aged 11 to 16.

Realcare babies need looking after just like a real baby because they need feeding, rocking, burping and nappy changing and have to have their heads supported.  But, unlike real babies, our Beaufort Baby records how well it has been looked after or if it has been neglected or roughly handled.

Like any responsible godparents SI Winchester likes to keep an eye on “our” baby’s progress so members Carol Forse (on the right) and Anna Elder visited the school recently to see how Baby Beaufort is settling in.  They discovered that she is regarded not just as an educational tool but as a member of the school and has a place in many lessons, either cooing or crying in her seat.

The baby is being held by the two students who are looking after her for the day.  They have called her Phoebe.  She will be renamed by the next student who cares for her.  How she is handled is constantly monitored electronically during each period of “parental care”.  The results are given in a Care Report which is presented to each student with explanations from teacher Anne Hill (on the left) as to how he or she could improve on any failings; for example, picking up the baby without giving head support. This has proven to be extremely  successful, with students eager to try again.

Forty-four members and guests joined in the celebrations. Carols and mulled wine started the evening. A festive buffet meal proved popular and this was crowned with one of Laraine’s magnificent Christmas cakes. Food was followed by “Party Pieces” which gave guests an opportunity to show off their hidden talents as entertainers. We used the occasion to collect donations for the International President’s December Appeal in lieu of exchanging Christmas cards and £175 was raised.

Those who attended Conference were very proud to witness fellow club member Liz Morgan-Lewis (left in the picture below) receive the insignia of SIGBI Federation President from former President Jackie Mosedale.  Congratulations, Liz, from all at SI Winchester and District.  We wish you a very happy and fulfilling year.

Click here to read Liz’s Inaugural Speech

Club members at Conference with our new Federation President

Scenes from the Gala Dinner

Our very successful Vital Statistics calendar raised £1,800 for our charities and copies are now changing hands at four times face-value on eBay!  Members were keen to know more about the garments they modelled and John Elder obliged, giving us an entertaining and informative talk on their history based on the Ivy Leaf Collection which he inherited.  (www.corsetiere.net/ILC)

As his talk coincided with John’s birthday, Laraine Marriott baked him a cake suitably decorated and inscribed.

As part of President Carol’s ‘Year of Fun’ off we went in all of our finery to Ladies Day at Newbury Races.