On September 18, 2023, forty-eight members, friends and family of Soroptimist International Bournemouth came together to celebrate eighty-five years of contribution to women and girls locally, nationally, and internationally. The event was held at the West Hants Tennis Club where we normally meet and they served us a lovely meal, followed by a specially commissioned cake. There was a slide show being displayed throughout the evening that shared several of highlights from over the years, for example, our annual STEAM challenge, drink spiking campaign, charity Cementing Futures that supports girls’ education in Bangladesh, toilet twinning project and VAWG conference. A quiz, created by a recently joined member, Gail Moneypenny, followed the meal and was all about things to do with the number 85; it was somewhat challenging but good fun. Our President, Kiera Mauro, gave a suitable speech and she cut the cake with the SISE President, Kay Linnell. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the evening; here’s to the next 85 years!
If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk. 
