Skip links

Welcoming new member Jan

Welcoming new member Jan

in Tags

Bridgend Soroptimist are delighted to welcome a new member, Jan Stoneman. Jan has recently moved to the area having spent recent years in Carmarthen. It was in Carmarthen that she became aware of Soroptimist International and admired the work they do. She promised herself that this was something she would find out more about when she retired. ON moving to the Bridgend area, Jan saw an article about the Bridgend Club in the local press. She joined us on our walk in Porthcawl on International Women’s Day. President Helen said, “It was lovely to meet Jan in March and I am so pleased that she is joining us. It is a particular delight to welcome a new member at my very first meeting as President – I hope this is a sign of things to come during the rest of this year!”

Soroptimists are part of the local community

Soroptimists are part of the local community

in Tags

SI Bridgend took part if the Awareness Day for local organisations in the Bridgend area on Saturday. This was an excellent opportunity to publicise Soroptimist International as well as highlight the many local, national and international service projects that the Bridgend members are involved in. Under the headings of ‘Educate, Empower, Enable’ a number of projects were highlighted including the Literacy project with Barnardo’s at Parc Prison, our International Women’s Day walk, the Knitting project for Mothers for Africa, our regular Teas for the Elderly, and sponsorship of young girls’ education in Cape Verde. Fun and friendship was also conveyed with photos of members enjoying our 70th anniversary celebrations, our Christmas Tree at the town’s Christmas Tree Festival and at the SIGBI Annual Conference in Cardiff. Unfortunately the event failed to attract a significant audience although members enjoyed the opportunity to spread the word about

A New President for Bridgend Soroptimists

A New President for Bridgend Soroptimists

in Tags

Following a very busy 70th anniversary year, during which the Presidential Chain was shared by three members, outgoing President Eurwen was delighted to install Helen Murdoch as Club President for 2018-2019. President Helen said she is looking forward to overseeing the numerous activities planned and emphasised the importance of “working together” as her theme. Partnerships, both developing new and reinforcing those already in place, as well as consolidating the many projects that the Club is involved in are a high priority for the coming year. Alongside the service provided by Club members, Helen says she is also looking forward to sharing friendship and having fun.

Supporting Ty Hafan

Supporting Ty Hafan

in Tags

Our Soroptimist year ended on a real high with President Eurwen’s presentation of a cheque to Emma Anthony of Ty Hafan, our chosen President’s charity for the year. Ty Hafan is one of the UK’s leading paediatric palliative care charities and offers care to children and support to their families throughout Wales. Emma did a wonderful job telling the story of Ty Hafan and explained that the cheque of £825 would cover the medication used there for a month. We were even more delighted when the presentation made front page news in the media – an unexpected bonus to a very uplifting 70th anniversary year.

Soroptimists walk through the cold

Soroptimists walk through the cold

in Tags

On 10 March, Bridgend Soroptimists marked International Women’s Day with a group walk along the seafront at Porthcawl. A rather wild and windy day meant that numbers were not as buoyant as they could have been. Nonetheless, members walked from Coney Beach to Rest Bay. They were joined by members of the public who had seen the advance publicity in the press, and were keen to give their support and showed an interest in the Soroptimist movement. Following a blustery walk, all participants enjoyed refreshments at The Atlantic Hotel.

New Year Lunch

New Year Lunch

in Tags

SI Bridgend kicked off 2018 with a New Year’s Lunch at The Heronston Hotel. The speaker, Mel Bastier, gave an interesting talk on willow weaving – with a number of members deciding that they would like to consider having a willow coffin! These photos show, in spite of a rather macabre discussion, a great time was had by all.

Soroptimist Sisters – President 3

Soroptimist Sisters – President 3

in Tags

Bridgend Soroptimists’ 70th anniversary year with a difference continues with the third of our three Presidents! President Lily Laesser handed over the chain of office to Eurwen Richards for her to start her 4 months as the Club’s President. As this is a special year for the Club, three of our long-serving members are sharing the Presidential chain. Eurwen, who was Club President in 2002-2003 is picking up the “Future” part of our “Past, Present and Future” theme and has an exciting programme planned looking forward to our next 70 years! We thank Lily for her service to the Club and wish Eurwen well for this next few months.

Meru Women’s Garden Project Christmas Tree

Meru Women’s Garden Project Christmas Tree

in Tags

Once again SI Bridgend participated in the Bridgend Christmas Tree Festival held in Nolton Church. The decision was taken to decorate the tree with felt fruit and vegetables – beautifully made by one of our talented members – to create awareness of the SIGBI project, the Meru Women’s Garden Project. Material promoting and explaining the project sat around the base of the tree, together with SIGBI information, informing visitors that to date memebers of SIGBI have raised over £100,000 to support the project. The Christmas Tree festival was successfully featured throughout Bridgend and though we didn’t win, the Meru theme caught the eye of many, including our MP Madeline Moon.