Jewels in the Rain 1.5.18 Tim Lever, who has travelled the world searching for specialist alpine plants, gave a fascinating talk on his journey walking in the mountains of the Arunachal Pradesh in the monsoon season.  The beautiful presentation included photos of the lush verdant forests and leech infested undergrowth that was journeyed through, high above the cloud base on occassions, to discover a plethora of different plants. Stunning magnoloas, lillies, primulas, saxifrages and ferns were shown along with some the local wildlife including yaks!

The  AGM was held at The Cricket Pavillion, Bangor. President Gwen Ellis Jones highlighted the Club’s work throughout the year, including monies raised for her nominated President’s charities,  Samaritans and local youth homeless charity, GISDA. Programme Action Officer Sian Kent led the members through a presentation of the fundraising and service projects that had been accomplished throughout the year for local, national and international causes. https://sigbi.org/bangor-and-district/2018/03/27/2017-18-programme-action/ Following the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports, which provided further detail of the beneficiaries, Andy Hawkins was installed as President for the Club’s 70th Anniversary year.  

Gwen Ellis Jones, in celebration of her last meeting as club president, invited Mr Ian Huw, a cheese specialist, to talk about a vast array of cheeses including their history, how they are made and their sources. An interesting variety of cheeses were sampled by members along with accompaniments. In addition, members brought along various delicious home made puddings that included gypsy tart, summer fruit baked cheesecake, chocolate brownies, baked apple flan, banoffee pie, fresh strawberry and cream roulade, Anglesey tarts and chocolate and raspberry cakes to name but a few ….and all were truly scrumptious! To raise funds for Ty Gobaith members purchased pudding recipes and also supported a raffle.

A well attended friendship evening took place at Storiel in Bangor on the evening of 6th March.  Members from Anglesey, South Caernarfon and Llandudno joined Bangor club members as they discovered the treasures within this local art gallery museum. Site manager Megan Corcoran and Museum Assistant Carrina Zarach opened our eyes to this evolving free to enter facility in the heart of the city. Members provided Welsh cakes and bara brith to raise funds, along with a very well supportd raffle.

Mr Bryn Roberts of SHINE (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Information Networking Equality) Wales provided a very enlightening presentation on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. This included the variety of ways the conditions affected people. Mr Roberts also outlined the services of SHINE as well as their various projects across Wales and current campaigns.

Members of the club came together with residents at Bryn Seiont Care Home on Saturday afternoon to enjoy some singing. Soroptimist Alecs Peate provided accompaniment on her harp as well as entertaining everyone with some uplifting cerdd dant. New member Ceri’s dog Megan was also a popular visitor!

New members Linda Locker and Ceri Williams joined the Club on 6th February.

Members joined together at Teras restaurant, Bangor University, on 12th December to enjoy an evening meal together and raise more funds through a well supported raffle.

Ciss Lloyd passed away on 5 December 2017 , aged 90 years old. Ciss regularly attended at meetings and took an active part at Soroptimist events since her first meeting in 1974. She was President from 1983 to 1984 and was a member of all Committees in turn, mostly helping in hospitality. She regularly attended Llangollen Eisteddfod helping in the Soroptimist tent with fellow Soroptimist Enid Griffiths and also attended regional meetings and conferences. A retired Home Economics teacher, widow, mother and sister, Ciss was also a keen and still active golfer – being a previous Lady Captain at Bangor Golf Club and latterly a member at Caernarfon Golf Club. A true friend to all.. she cared very much for those around her. Her smile always lit up the room and she reached out to many Soroptimist sisters in friendship…especially welcoming new members. Ciss is