Food for thought! Last year at Conference in Cardiff a group of members from SI Bangor and District collected unwanted packed lunches on Friday and Saturday.These were distributed to the homeless on the streets and city centre on Friday. On Saturday they were taken to the Salvation Army Hostel and given to the residents at the hostel. We were thrilled to think that five parcels of sandwiches and approximately 75 packed lunches that would have been thrown away were given to people in need. This year we hoped unwanted packed lunches would have been distributed to the homeless in the city during the Liverpool Conference. Sadly not so! So again members from SI Bangor delivered four large boxes full of unwanted packed lunches to the Salvation Army hostel. They were delighted to receive them as they were used to feed the 38 residents. When our

Sian, Andy and Gwen and Gwen’s grandson and their dog completed a 6 mile circular walk around Llanberis to raise funds for UMEED, an charity that provides support for children and women in Pakistan.

Sian Owen Kent has set us all a “plastic challenge”. Members will have a “plastic awareness day” – preferably on a day when we are going shopping – and make a point of trying to avoid buying products in plastic. Even with Sian’s inspiring guidance, we are finding it difficult but persevering! President Elect Eirian gave an entertaining “job talk” about her years in catering, working in both Vaynol and Penrhyn Castle. However, for the past nine years she has been farming in partnership with her son, who has been nominated for an award of “Sheep Farmer of the Year” this year. .

Members and guest, Jenie Dean, enjoyed a fascinating talk by Dr. Shaun Russell, who talked about his early married life in South Africa, focusing on the flora of the region. Now Director of Treborth Botanic Gardens, he spoke about the diversity of species specific to the Cape and the number of plants from that region that have become familiar in the gardens of Britain.

A chocolate tombola stall held at Ysbyty Gwynedd, raised £114.90 in aid of the President’s nominated charity: Dementia Care at Ysbyty Gwynedd  

Members and guests dressed up and let their hair down at a sparkling Platinum Party with entertainment provided by Wynne Roberts – yr Elvis Cymraeg – to celebrate our 70th Anniversary at the Mill Bistro, Pontrug. Overall we raised £500 from generous sponsorship by Rondo, tickets and donations to the President’s main charity this year – Dementia Care in Ysbyty Gwynedd. been sold to visiting Soroptimists.

Sian Kent, Gwen Ellis Jones and Andy Hawkins, in wellies and macs, visited Portmeirion after Festival 6 and collected sleeping bags, tents and food, including 4 very heavy sacks of enormous onions, yoga mats, rugs, cushions and umbrellas which St Mary’s Hostel in Bangor gratefully accepted.

Members returned from the summer break to enjoy a quiz prepared and led by members Diane Davies and Mair Jones. A lovely evening washed down with Prosecco and Fish and Chips!

Members did a beach clean at Aber Ogwen. This year, led by Programme Action Officer Sian Owen Kent, our club is focusing particularly on reducing plastic use and its impact on the environment

We celebrated our 70th Anniversary at the Seiont Manor Hotel with SIGBI President Elect Sue Williams, Regional President Hilary Laidler and members and guests from across North Wales. The sun shone, we had a special anniversary cake, made by our own President Elect Eirwen and members went home with a lot of memories and anniversary mugs and coasters!