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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!

Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Abuse

Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Abuse

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Last night, Sian Morgan, Chief Executive of Hafan Cymru spoke to Bridgend Soroptimists about her work on domestic abuse and about breaking the cycle of abuse to help people regain their independence. Sian’s career has spanned 40 years working in a variety of government agencies, specialising in growing and developing organisations, building partnerships and getting more people involved. She was Welsh Businesswoman of the Year 2019. Hafan Cymru supports people who find themselves in situations that mean they can’t or don’t know how to live safely. Hafan Cymru helps them find their feet and find independence. Sometimes it is by finding somewhere safe to live, sometimes it’s through a range of services they develop and tailor to each individual situation. The association has been doing this for over 30 years helping women and families to build the confidence to lead the life they hope for.

New Year, New Faces

New Year, New Faces

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Bridgend Soroptimists held their Club AGM last night with high hopes of a year of re-connecting, face-to-face meetings and a welcome return to Soroptimist activity. Gaynor Hoare is continuing for a second year as Club President. In welcoming Lesley Davies as President Elect and Ruth Davies-Kemp as Vice President, President Gaynor was delighted to declare that the Club is truly set fair for the future. President Gaynor expressed her thanks to members for their support and efforts throughout the last year. Although we continued to be disrupted by Covid restrictions, the Club met regularly throughout the year both virtually on Zoom as well as on a number of occasions face-to-face. We have enjoyed a wide range of speakers, discussion sessions and gatherings with members of our Friendship Links across the world – and the Saturday morning Well-being sessions have become a permanent fixture in the

Easter Eggs for Llamau

Easter Eggs for Llamau

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Llamau collected this fantastic haul of Easter eggs, kindly donated by members and friends of Bridgend Soroptimists. The eggs are making their way to the mothers and children who are spending Easter in the refuge in Bridgend. Thank you to everyone for their fabulous generosity to those in need.

Women in Wales Fundraising Event

Women in Wales Fundraising Event

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A number of Bridgend Soroptimists attended the 2022 Women in Wales in Cardiff today. The event was originally planned for April 2020, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bridgend Soroptimist, Felicity Ladbrooke was the chair of the organising committee and said, “It was a relief to finally see the event go ahead after 2 years of delays and was fantastic to see so many ladies supporting three great causes –  2 Wish, Noah’s Ark Children’s hospital, Dylan Thomas school.”

Afternoon Tea in Laleston

Afternoon Tea in Laleston

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A sunny afternoon, delicious food and a wealth of friendship and chatter contributed to a very successful afternoon tea hosted by Bridgend Soroptimists. Held in the recently refurbished Laleston Church Hall, members and guests enjoyed an excellent array of sandwiches and cakes, supplied by Southerndown Golf Club and served most graciously by local Scouts. The Maesteg Ukulele Band provided the entertainment. The event raised almost £500 which is to be donated to Young Carers Bridgend to enable youngsters to participate in a Young Carers Festival later in the year.