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What are Soroptimists?

What are Soroptimists?

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The townspeople of Cowbridge had an opportunity to find out more about Soroptimist International at a display mounted in Cowbridge Library over the last two weeks. The display featured a range of projects that Bridgend Soroptimists are involved in and visitors were invited to take a leaflet and find out more. The club which was founded in 1947 is part of a global volunteer movement of women working together to transform the lives of women and girls. Members are women from all walks of life who raise awareness of local, national and international issues, and support local charities. The Bridgend Club’s primary focus in the last 12 months has been on empowering women and girls. In particular we have been campaigning on domestic abuse, participated in the UN #OrangeTheWorld campaign providing knitted and crocheted orange flowers for a magnificent display in Llandaff Cathedral and supported

Soroptimists Decorate Christmas Tree

Soroptimists Decorate Christmas Tree

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Bridgend Soroptimists once again took part in the Porthcawl Christmas Tree Festival held at All Saints Church. The tree was beautifully decorated with decorations made by club members alongside traditional baubles and lights. A poster reminded visitors to the festival what Soroptimist International is all about and encouraged them to find out more by contacting SI Bridgend. The tree will be on display for two weeks.  

Let’s Orange the World!

Let’s Orange the World!

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Several members of Bridgend Soroptimists provided knitted, crocheted or fabric orange flowers for a display at Llandaff Cathedral on 25th November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The flowers will be on display in the cathedral from 25th November as SI Glamorgan’s contribution to the UN #OrangetheWorld campaign (Campaign to eliminate domestic violence) 30th Anniversary. This is running for 16 days from 25th November to 10th December. Over 3500 flowers have been crocheted, knitted or made from fabric scraps and represent the 3500 women in England and Wales who report an incidence of domestic abuse to the police. A magnificent display helping to raise awareness and work towards the ending violence against women. Two members of SI Bridgend were delighted to have witnessed this magnificent display when they attended the Light a Candle event in Llandaff Cathedral on 25th November.

Inspiring Speaker on Domestic Abuse

Inspiring Speaker on Domestic Abuse

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Last night, SI Bridgend President Gaynor presented Ruth Dodsworth with a poinsettia as a thank you for her inspiring talk about domestic violence. SI Bridgend had the pleasure of welcoming Ruth Dodsworth, broadcaster, journalist and weather girl, to our meeting last night. Ruth shared her story of being in an abusive marriage for 20 years. Coercive Control is very real. Her husband was sent to prison after she finally found the courage to call the police. This was an excellent talk by a domestic abuse survivor and provided a great deal of food-for-thought for members. Ruth is now working with the Criminal Justice Board to bring about change.

Soroptimists Introduce Easy Cooking on a Budget

Soroptimists Introduce Easy Cooking on a Budget

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Bridgend Soroptimists continued their project with Llamau and supporting women in the Refuge in Bridgend with a session on Easy Cooking on a Budget. Three Soroptimists, Judith, Margaret and Joyce, visited the refuge and met with 2 young women to demonstrate how easy and cost effective it can be to cook meals from scratch. Judith showed the ladies how to prepare and cook a chicken and vegetable soup. She explained that by cutting the vegetables into small pieces, there was no need for a blender or other gadget. Judith also said that it can be a very cost effective way to have a nutritious and filling meal if you buy veg that is on offer because it is near its sell-by date. It’s also a great way of using up left-over or limp vegetables! Joyce showed the ladies how to make a simple Bolognese sauce

A Successful Conference in Belfast

A Successful Conference in Belfast

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Six members of SI Bridgend attended the SIGBI 88th Federation Conference held in Belfast at the end of October. In her report following conference, Rayner Rees confirmed that over £600 was raised for Lily’s Leaves through the sale of silver jewellery and the raffle of Barbara Dixon’s embroidered picture on our stall at Conference. This will be match funded and used for the education and empowerment of girls in Nepal – a charity that was very close to Barbara Dixon’s heart. Helen said that Barbara Dixon’s widower, Alan Dixon, drew the raffle at Conference for the embroidered picture which was won by Sue Bennett of our own club! Rayner and Helen finally had the opportunity to present Sue Bennett with her beautiful tiger at the club meeting on 23 November. Sue was delighted to win the tiger, which was beautifully embroidered by the late Barbara

International Friends

International Friends

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Bridgend Soroptimists sent greetings to all our friendship link clubs on International Friendship Day, 3rd October. We were delighted to receive greetings from SI Courtenay in British Columbia, Canada. Margaret Wootton sent us news of the club and recent activities, and commented that as she was writing they were experiencing the first snowfall of the season! Margaret also sent her condolences to use on the death of Sylvia Scarf and Carys Brown – she remembers first meeting Carys at the International Convention in Montreal in 2011and the many correspondences they exchanged over the years that followed. Margaret also sent congratulations from her Club on Sharon Dixon’s appointment as Regional President for SI Wales South. We also received greetings from SI Moreton North Inc in Queensland, Australia. Chris Knight, Club President for 2021/22 and Friendship Link Co-ordinator, tells us that the club is flourishing with 37 members.

A Life Well Lived, Sylvia Scarf

A Life Well Lived, Sylvia Scarf

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Obituary for Sylvia Scarf OBE, Member of SI Bridgend Our dear friend and dedicated Soroptimist Sylvia Scarf OBE died suddenly on 7th June 2022. Sylvia was recognised for her 30 years’ of service as a Soroptimist at our Club AGM in April having spent many years with SI Llantrisant and more recently joining us in SI Bridgend. I had known Sylvia for a long time through Girlguiding. She began her Girlguiding life as a Sea Ranger in Aberdare and never looked back. She introduced many to the joys of camping with the scouts, was county commissioner for Central Glamorgan and Vice President for Girlguiding Cymru. She easily made friends and was very loyal to everyone she met. She was great fun to be with and with a very dry wit her stories and sagas were always well worth listening to. Sylvia worked for the Probation

Supporting Llamau

Supporting Llamau

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Sharon Dixon arranged a joint meeting between Bridgend Soroptimists, Llamau co-ordinator Bex and ladies from the refuge. The purpose of the meeting was to ascertain how SI Bridgend members could continue to support Llamau. A very successful meeting generated lots of ideas. Firstly, items are still required – currently Llamau have asked for the following: single bedding, towels, cleaning materials, school uniforms (navy sweatshirts/jumpers/cardigans, grey trousers, red/white polo shirts), a bookcase (supplied immediately after the meeting) and garden furniture. Sharon explained that Bridend members had a very wide range of skills and talents that they would like to share with the ladies. This was very well received and it was agreed that we would organise sessions on Confidence building, management of change, building self belief and self esteem, the preparation of healthy meals on a budget, pamper sessions, craft sessions to include knitting, literacy and numeracy

Jubilee Teas for Elderly Friends

Jubilee Teas for Elderly Friends

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Joyce Chatterton and Sue Bennett, together with their planning group invited and organised a jubilee tea for our elderly friends and some members of SI Bridgend in Joyce’s beautifully decorated garden. We were greeted by Joyce who offered a variety of sparkling/non sparkling, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks. Members and friends paid ten pounds for a superb tea of sandwiches, a variety of cakes and trifle, jelly and pink blancmange rabbits! These were fondly remembered by many. Ladies were splendidly dressed and hatted as befitted the occasion. The free raffle was a great success. Joyce has reported that the party raised approximately £150 towards the friends summer outing. Thank you Joyce!