What a lovely and enjoyable afternoon we all had at our 75th Charter Lunch on Sunday 25 June. We were joined by Regional President Susan and members from SI Bebington, SI Chester, SI Anglesey, SI Llandudno and SI South Caernarfonshire. The venue was at ‘Bwyd Da Bangor’ – excellent food and perfect location. The guest speaker was Richard Price, Community Development Officer for charity North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC), and his talk was inspirational, honest and at times heart wrenching hearing his personal story of addiction and his recovery progress. The café includes staff who are coming through the Penrhyn House drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre or those who are currently living in homeless accommodation in Bangor. NWRC works with some of the most vulnerable adults in the region, those that face complex and often multiple barriers to a life free from addiction, and the

Our newest Honorary Member Sian Owen Kent A lovely afternoon and a big thank you to Tristan who was delighted to be witness to his mum being honoured in this way – thank you Sian for your friendship and commitment to SI Bangor and the Region for so many years

On a beautiful Sunday morning some members of SI Bangor together with friends and organisers from Ysbyty Gwynedd walked along Bangor Pier raising money for Dementia patients,  Glaslyn Ward.   Can you help Eryri Cydweithredol Eryri Co-Operative Cyf raise £500 for patients of dementia? JustGiving Crowdfunding Page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eryricydweithredol?utm_term=exAkgrxrz Organisers, Emma and Gwenda were very appreciative of our support .. and if we’re looking for a volunteering opportunity that we help tidy up the Garden up at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Mr. Dafydd Eckley from the North Wales Society for the Blind was our guest speaker at the AGM on 4 April 2023 and was presented a cheque in the sum of £100 for the Society. He gave a very interesting talk about his work as Senior Rehabilitation Officer for the Society and urged members, if they knew of anyone suffering sight loss, to introduce them to the Society where help is always available. He said there are 500 people in Gwynedd and 400 in Anglesey with some degree of sight loss. The Society produces audio books and also has a monthly walking group, which is extremely popular.  Dafydd said the motto for anyone with sight problems should be “bigger, bolder, brighter” and he also mentioned an app called SeeingAI which will read text aloud instantaneously.  Refreshments were then enjoyed by all.  It was lovely to see

Members enjoyed an extremely interesting and informative talk by Dr Gavin Gatehouse former lecturer at Bangor University and his wife Liz Gatehouse. Dr Gatehouse was instrumental in bringing to fruition a remarkable project for a small community – the Anafon Hydro scheme situated above Aber and Llanfairfechan ably supported by Hywel Thomas and Jacqui Bugden.   He spoke about the origins of the scheme, the benefits brought to the two villages and the Board’s hopes for the future. His wife also spoke about the Trust, Dwr Anafon, set up to spend the money generated by the scheme.  An excellent example of what can be achieved by a small group of dedicated people in a small community. Ynni Anafon Energy (anafonhydro.co.uk)

Club member Maggie Hughes provided a welcome respite from the cold and ice outside as members who braved the conditions joined together for a fabulous evening of experiencing different foods from around the World …. we are already looking forward to Part 2 next year !!!

Our annual Christmas dinner get together was celebrated at Y Felin in Pontrug. Entertainment was led by Top Hatted Master of Ceremonies Club Treasurer Joan Wynne and a wonderful evening of singalong classics and Music Hall style renditions! Wonderful to have such amazingly talented Soroptimists and family members to entertain us on a cold icy evening!