A group of members were delighted to attend the Big Lunch  hosted by Grampian Women’s Aid, the specialist service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse. The theme for the lunch was ‘Women and Work’ with guest speakers who shared information about the work and volunteering they do. The attendees were women who GWA has supported and have done the ‘Own My Life’ course, the natural progression of which is a new syllabus being developed to support women with employability hence the theme of the day.http://www.grampian-womens-aid.com

 BONNYMUIR COMMUNITY TRUST GARDEN PLANT SALE On Saturday 11th May members were busy at the Bonnymuir Community Trust Garden with our annual plant sale. A range  of plants were available to buy including dianthus, foxgloves, mallow, Siberian iris and several varieties of geranium. A herb section offered borage, mints, thyme and rosemary. Also available were house plants together with ceramic pots. There was a section on companion planting with marigolds. Focus as always was on insect friendly plants. There was also a craft and card stall and a tombola. Sunflowers were gifted to children attending and there was a photograph competition for them, too. The sale was well attended raising over £800.  

SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death society, first set up in 1981, is a registered charity which works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, to improve care for bereaved parents and to create a world where fewer babies die. http://www.sands.org.uk In the grounds of Aberdeen Maternity hospital adjacent to the Rubislaw wing a small garden which is promoted by the SANDS charity, was laid out some years ago to provide a space for families and staff members to relax in peaceful and attractive surroundings.  Over time the garden has needed considerable attention so last year a group of club members volunteered to take on the work to improve the site. Weeding, cutting, tidying, replanting and repainting was done over several weeks during the summer, and when thoroughly restored with colourful flowering plants in pots and flower beds the garden took on

Our club has turned 95 - and we have celebrated in style! A chilly morning in beautiful Duthie Park saw members and friends handing out pots of spring bulbs in order to mark International Women's Day. Of course this was followed by coffee and chat in the warmth of the Winter Gardens. Later we attended a wonderful Civic Reception in the elegant surroundings of the Town House, where a fantastic spread was hosted by our Lord and Lady Provost, David and Hazel Cameron. It was so nice to see our own Margaret Smith's portrait from when she was Lord Provost displayed so prominently.   A wonderful Diva tribute show at the Tivoli theatre was the evening's experience, with stars such as Annie Lennox, Blondie, Adele and Madonna portrayed on stage in all their fabulousness! Impossible not to sing and dance along with the music. The

We were delighted to see so much support for the UN "16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence" throughout Aberdeen and in particular in the Rosemount area. Shops and businesses throughout Rosemount and beyond, showed their support by displaying Orange bunting, balloons and posters to raise awareness of this important issue. Carole Baxter of the BBC's Beechgrove Garden chose her favourite display on Friday December 1st and the winner was "Wool for Ewe" who receive a £200 donation to a charity of their choice. Club members joined other Aberdeen women's organisations on 25th November, the first of the 16 Days, taking part in the annual "Reclaim the Night March". Marischal College and His Majesty's Theatre were also lit up in Orange. "We are so pleased that the people and businesses of Rosemount have risen to the occasion in supporting the challenge of ending violence

Members of the club had a really enjoyable visit to Robert Gordon University on Thursday 9th November to attend their volunteering event. It was lovely to speak to so many students and staff who are interested in joining us to support women and girls. Many thanks to those who have signed up to our mailing list to find out more about upcoming events such as the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. We spoke to several students who live in the Rosemount area of Aberdeen. They will be looking out for the Orange displays to highlight this event in 50 Rosemount shops from 25th November. We look forward to welcoming them to our next Orange Cafe which will take place at Bonnymuir Green Community Garden from 10.30 - 12 on Saturday 25th November. Many thanks to Annabelle from RGU for organising this

Following a recent request from Grampian Womens Aid in Aberdeen members collected together a number of toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant which will be donated to them this week.   Grampian Womens Aid , established in the city in 1977 provides support and safe refuge to women experiencing domestic abuse. The charity is funded through a variety of funders including the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire Council and donations to allow it to provide the best service it can for women, children and young people who have the right to live free from abuse.http://grampian-womens-aid.com

  As part of the coronation celebrations for King Charles and in recognition of the exceptional work done in their communities, 500 Coronation Champions were awarded special pin badges, signed certificates and invitations to join the new King and Queen at one of their celebration events. Some of these inspiring volunteers in Scotland were invited to a garden party in the grounds of the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Our member, Alison, was one of them! Many congratulations to her! Alison has been a volunteer for over 40 years, a member of our Soroptimist club for 25 years and was the Chair of the Aberdeen Soroptimist Housing Society for several years.  She has held many positions in the walking charity, the Ramblers, locally, nationally and UK wide, and was more recently Convenor of Ramblers Scotland. Alison was also with the Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS)

During the summer months club members welcomed two Canadian Soroptimists to the city. They were accompanied by  groups of members on tours around the city visiting Seaton Park and Duthie Park where they enjoyed the beautiful gardens and viewed two of the forty different 6 foot hare sculptures which are on display throughout Aberdeen and the north of Scotland as part of the 'Big Hop- Wild in Art' trail in aid of Clan Cancer Support.  Stained glass windows, rescued and restored by our club in 1971 to mark our club's Golden Jubilee, renovated in 2004 to celebrate our 75th anniversary and on permanent display in the Winter Gardens at the Duthie Park, were much admired. The visitors enjoyed views of the newly refurbished Union Terrace Gardens, paid a visit to St. Machar's Cathedral where they attended an organ recital, and spent some time in the