On the 17th of January 2008 Club members and their friends were guided through the mysteries of wine tasting by Peter Wilson, wine connoisseur. At the event and afterwards fireside quiz sheets were sold in aid of Water Aid. Alison Algeo was the quiz winner, receiving a bag of wine related goodies and a bottle of wine. Margaret Hadden, runner up, received a bottle of wine.
We all enjoyed a super meal and Soroptimist fellowship on the 6th of December 2007 in the Ramada in Portrush. President Olive had persuaded Sharon McCaffrey to recite a poem, ‘Guide Cats for the Blind’. Frances McCollum then entertained us with a rendition of the letters regarding the twelve days of Christmas. Executive committee members donated prizes and members bought raffle tickets, the proceeds of which went to Club funds.
Sharon Paul was this year’s winner of the public speaking heat hosted by SI Ballymoney and District. In contrast to previous years there were only 3 entrants, Sharon, Gemma Young & Rosalind Getty, in this years’ competition because of a clash of dates with some other local school events. However, this did not mean that the judges had any easier a time! All three girls spoke on the size zero issue and the pressure put on young people, particularly young girls to be thin. It was both refreshing and reassuring to hear all three speakers well reasoned comments on how striving for size zero was unhealthy while recognising the obesity crisis that is also looming. The Club would like to thank the teachers who encouraged Sharon, Rosalind and Gemma as well as the parents; with out this support there would be no competitions. Thanks also
Shirley McPhillimy came and spoke to the Club on how she became involved in the Coleraine Child Contact Centre. National Association of Child Contact Centres This is a centre which provides a safe, friendly and neutral place where children, regardless of race or religion, of separated families can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members. The centres are manned by trained, impartial volunteers who have been police checked. The volunateers are there to facilitate the meetings but remain in the background allowing the relationship between child and family member to be established and grow. The centre is a place where solutions can be found for situations where trust and respect have been destroyed. People come to the centre by referral through the Courts or Social Services or by other advice centres or by word of mouth. While there are a
The Club’s annual charity fork supper was held on Thursday 18th October 2007 in St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. Once again the event was well supported and guests experienced an evening of good food, light entertainment and friendship. While the company gathered and during the meal, flutist Louise Hamill and piano accompanist Sandra Kirk entertained our guests. Before the meal, supporters of the event were treated to a show of hand crafted jewelry and hair accessories from Unique by Lisa Campbell. Club members, assisted by the Guides, then served pork casserole with salad accompaniment. Guest were then able to indulge in an array of delicious sweets before finishing the meal with tea, coffee and after dinner mints. The event raised in excess of £2000 with these funds being distributed between a number if charities and local organisations. The two main beneficiaries were Menigitis UK and Support
In September 2006 Kate McCloskey, court support / community justice officer with Coleraine Women’s Aid spoke to the club about the work of Women’s Aid in the triangle area. She illustrated the difficulties faced by a woman driven from her home by abuse. The club presented Kate with a number of washbags for use in the Coleraine refuge. On 8th March 2007, international women’s day, six club representatives visited Women’s Aid’s Naomi Centre in Ballymena. At the centre Geraldine amazed us with the extensive nature of the work of Women’s Aid at the centre, at the refuges and in the community. The commitment to education and awareness has to be commended as well as the support services afforded to victims seeking their support. The club presented Geraldine with washbags for use in the Ballymena refuge.
