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Garden Fundraiser 20.7.24

Garden Fundraiser 20.7.24

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The weather was very kind to us when we visited Joan’s wonderful garden on Saturday 20 July.  A get-together with our Soroptimist sisters and friends for afternoon tea, a walk around her magnificent, colourful garden and a catch up with friends.  A total of over £700 was generously and kindly donated raised towards President Diane’s 2024/25 Charity – Breast Cancer Care at Ysbyty Gwynedd.  President Diane expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended or forwarded donations. Very grateful thanks were extended to Joan, her wonderful family and fabulous helpers for a lovely relaxing afternoon. Special thanks also to Sara Roberts of Roberts Portdinorwic, Mrs Myfanwy Jones and our Secretary Vikki Williams who kindly provided food and cakes!    

76th Charter Lunch 23.6.24

76th Charter Lunch 23.6.24

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Members of the club came together to welcome fellow Soroptimists from across the Region. This included Presidents and members from Heswall, Llandudno, Rhyl, Northwich, Anglesey and South Caernarfon as well as President Elect SIGBI and our Regional President and President Elect. We enjoyed a refreshing summer themed lunch at Mixopoly of Bangor’s Cricket Pavilion and were welcomed by a specially created Soroptimist Mocktail on arrival.   The Speaker was Marian Wyn Jones, an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker who had an extensive career at the BBC before developing a career as a Non-Executive Director at the highest level of public life, including the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Arts Council of Wales, where she was Vice-Chair. She also served on the governing bodies of several other charities and education establishments and is the first woman appointed as the Chair

4.6.24 Grand Prize Draw launch incl £100 cash first prize

4.6.24 Grand Prize Draw launch incl £100 cash first prize

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As part of the fundraising activities for President Diane’s nominated charity Breast Cancer Care at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital this year, members have collected generous donations of prizes from various businesses where they shop, dine or treat themselves! A grand draw has been launched with the following prizes which will be drawn at a fundraising event to be held on Saturday 19th October We acknowledge with thanks the donation of the following prizes: £100 cash prize Spa day access pass for 2 adults, Thornton Hall Hotel, £75 Voucher for massage or beauty treatment, Aberconwy Spa Voucher for ‘Elsa,’ Menai Bridge £50 Meal Voucher, ‘The Oyster Catcher’, Rhosneigr Sunday luncheon for two, ‘Signatures’ restaurant, Aberconwy Garden Bench Voucher ‘th1’ Hairdressing, Bangor Skid Course, The Anglesey Circuit, Ty Croes Afternoon Tea for 2, ‘Beau’s Tea Rooms’, Beaumaris £30 Voucher Marks and Spencer £25 Voucher, ‘The Sea Shanty’, Trearddur

4.6.24 Twr Marcwis – Marquis of Anglesey Column

4.6.24 Twr Marcwis – Marquis of Anglesey Column

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Marquess of Anglesey’s Column Anglesey Column Trust We had a very interesting talk on a project to Renovate, Re-image and Restore the Marquess of Anglesey’s Column at Llanfair PG.  Delyth Jones Williams, the Column Manager. She informed us that the Column closed in 2014 and whilst it was sound structurally, the entire internal staircase and doors needed replacing and ventilation introduced to prevent further deterioration.  The small cottage nearby was in a very poor condition and needed re-roofing and a complete refit.  A new extension has provided space for Visitor Services, a Cafe and an Office.   The restoration and reopening of the Column has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund together with other very generous donors and a wonderful group of volunteers. The column stands on an outcrop of blueschist rock  This example is amongst the oldest known in the world, and in 2010 the

18.5.24 President’s Birthday Fundraiser

18.5.24 President’s Birthday Fundraiser

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Very many thanks to Jenny Watkin Jones for hosting a wonderful afternoon tea to celebrate President Diane’s birthday.  The weather was glorious and we all enjoyed a relaxed afternoon catching up and chatting with our Soroptimist sisters and friends.     We had an amazing plant stall and through the generosity of all attending over £1200 was raised which will be donated to President Diane’s charity Breast Cancer Care at Ysbyty Gwynedd at the end of her presidency.

11.5.24 Regional meeting and Barbara Dixon Award

11.5.24 Regional meeting and Barbara Dixon Award

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At the Regional Soroptimist meeting in Chester, clubs were encouraged to bring along items for the Speakers to take to their charity which supported Chernobyl children in Ukraine.           The Barbara Dixon Award was presented to Rhyl and District Club, whilst Bangor and District club were awarded highly commended in respect of the President Marianne had passionately led fundraising activities to support the Veronica Lemishenko Glowing Harp foundation throughout her year, in many activities as can be seen here and here. However, she also established many personal friendships with local Ukrainian families who also supported Soroptimist events  and we all enjoyed the Ukrainian evening they hosted at our club.

7.5.24 Bethan Hughes Evans Girl Guiding Wales

7.5.24 Bethan Hughes Evans Girl Guiding Wales

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Guide Leader Bethan Hughes Evans, Guide Leader from Y Felinheli, provided a brief talk on the experiences she had gained at Sangam in India. The Club had provided a donation towards Bethan’s travel costs to the Girl Guide House in India to attend the International event in September 2023. Bethan gained enormously, not only in experiencing the culture of India but also in personal confidence which has also strengthened her leadership skills and appreciation of life in general. She spoke enthusiastically about her trip highlighting the Ganesh festival, riding in a TukTuk and visiting a Muslim Girls Orphanage. She has now made it her mission to encourage friends and colleagues to appreciate all they have.    

Julie Lewis – Tribute

Julie Lewis – Tribute

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Our lovely caring Julie passed away on 18th April and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a dedicated, compassionate Soroptimist for many years and her legacy will live on at our Club. Julie became a Soroptimist in 1989, was Club President in 1995/1996 and again in 2005/2006. Julie also forged many friendships with clubs and members in Region over many years, especially her friends in Ellesmere Port. Recently Julie had developed the role of Wellness within the membership of our club, which she passionately led with calls, cards and compassion.  Julie looked after many of us with her beautiful smile and encouragement which we will all very much miss.

Caren Lewis President
Caren Lewis – Tribute

Caren Lewis – Tribute

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          Another beautiful soul who sadly passed away on 13th April, Caren will be sorely missed by all her Soroptimist friends.  Caren had been a very active member of SI Bangor for many years.  A kind, gentle and compassionate lady and as a qualified Solicitor had contributed so much to our Club.  Another true Soroptimist. Caren joined in 1988, was club President in 2001/2002 and again jointly in 2011/12. She was the Club’s Press Officer for many years before the days of computerisation. Caren was also our Club’s Safeguarding Officer and provided very sage advice on all such matters. We will miss Caren greatly.