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Speaker Meeting Monday 9th June 2025: Nick Wray – Curator of Bristol Botanic Garden

Speaker Meeting Monday 9th June 2025: Nick Wray – Curator of Bristol Botanic Garden

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  On Monday evening, SI Bristol enjoyed a lively gathering at our monthly Supper Meeting, where we welcomed new and potential members into our group.     We were also delighted to host our guest speaker, Nick Wray, curator of the renowned Bristol Botanic Garden and recipient of the prestigious RHS Associate of Honour for his distinguished contributions to horticulture. With over 30 years at the garden, Nick was instrumental in creating the new garden at The Holmes, located near the Bristol Downs. Remarkably, this was the first major redevelopment of a botanic garden in the UK in nearly 40 years. Nick, a passionate traveller, took us on a fascinating “whistle-stop tour” of the gardens and landscapes of Sicily. From the ancient city of Palermo to the white sandy beaches of Mondello, he shared insights into the island’s rich history, diverse cultural influences, and stunning architecture. Sicily—Italy’s largest island—is known for its unique blend of Norman,

SI Bristol Respond to Next Link’s Appeal for Toiletries

SI Bristol Respond to Next Link’s Appeal for Toiletries

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  Our Programme Action Officer Bridget co-ordinated a response to Next Link’s appeal, in partnership with St Mungo’s Respite Rooms, for supplies of toiletries to help Domestic and Sexual Violence women survivors living in the Respite Rooms. These are women who have multiple needs and are fleeing high risk harm and homelessness. Over the last two weeks our Club members donated a good number of emergency items which were delivered on Friday 16th May to Next Link by Bridget and Ivete. Thank you to all our members for their generosity.

Speaker Meeting 12th May 2025: Rob Bayly – ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and More!

Speaker Meeting 12th May 2025: Rob Bayly – ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and More!

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    Rob Bayly, was employed by the BBC for over 33 years and was a producer on many of the BBC’s most popular factual TV programmes such as ‘The Antiques Roadshow’.   Rob entertained us with stories about how the programmes were created. During his talk he shared many ‘behind the scenes’ stories not least working with the Roadshow team of antiques specialists and presenter Fiona Bruce. Needless to say he kept us all entertained throughout! The BBC trained Rob as a Studio Manager, specialising in sessions for shows like John Peel. He then went into TV production. Rob started his working life in the future with the TV programme ‘Tomorrow’s World’ & finished working for the BBC in the past producing the ‘Antiques Roadshow’. He is also a balloon pilot, having flown with Bristol’s Don Cameron, so that’s possibly a theme for a

Thank You to Anne and Welcome Helen D

Thank You to Anne and Welcome Helen D

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  On Monday, 12th May 2025, Anne Shore, was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card to say “thank you” and to celebrate her 57 years of service.   This was a happy and sad occasion as Anne is no longer able to continue her service on a regular basis. However, we will ensure she is warmly welcomed at all future Supper meetings. At the same time we were delighted to induct a new member Helen D.  As President Funlola was away, Pauline introduced Helen to our team and Gish, our Membership Officer, read the Soroptimists’ Vision and Mission statement. Helen will be a great asset to our Club and we welcome her with open arms, promising to help her promote Soroptimists’ values.

Welcome to our New President Funlola and Present Elect Sally S

Welcome to our New President Funlola and Present Elect Sally S

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  We held our AGM on 28th April during which Funlola was presented with the Presidential chains of office and Sally S with the President Elect badge by our Treasurer, Pauline, in the absence of an Outgoing President. We wish them both a successful term of service. We gave a vote of thanks and appreciation to Lizzie for her dedication and hard work over many years as the Club’s secretary. The secretarial role was transferred to Sue P for the next year. During the meeting we were delighted and proud to present two long service certificates to Sue P and Funlola for 40 years as Soroptimists. A truly wonderful achievement! The meeting ended with the good news that a new member will be inducted at our Speaker meeting in early May.

SI Bristol and SI Weston-super-Mare Met up at Tyntesfield on 29th April 2025

SI Bristol and SI Weston-super-Mare Met up at Tyntesfield on 29th April 2025

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  SI Weston-super-Mare organised a meetup at Tyntesfield National Trust property with SI Bristol     On 29th April 2025, five members from SI Bristol joined five members from SI Weston super Mare at Tyntesfield.  They toured the house, admired the gardens en route, and enjoyed lunch in the Cow Barn.  What a lovely way to get together – many thanks Weston for organising this.

Visit to Bowood Woodland Gardens in Wiltshire: 9th May 2025

Visit to Bowood Woodland Gardens in Wiltshire: 9th May 2025

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  On the 9th May 2025, 17 of us, Soropotimisters, family and our friends from the Rotary Club of Bristol travelled to Bowood Woodland Gardens in Wiltshire, where we had a really lovely time.  We started and ended with “The Nosh Box” where we enjoyed light refreshments.  The gardens are only open for about six weeks during the year whilst the bluebells, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons are flowering. We picnicked, had fun and walked the many paths to see as many flowering shrubs as possible   We are very lucky to have these gardens so close to Bristol and grateful to Ruth for organising such a lovely day.     For more information visit https://bowood.org/house-gardens/woodland-garden/

Speaker Meeting 14th April 2025: – Claire Bounds Avon and Somerset Police Fraud Protect team

Speaker Meeting 14th April 2025: – Claire Bounds Avon and Somerset Police Fraud Protect team

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    At our last Speaker Meeting on 7th April we welcomed  Claire Bounds Avon and Somerset Police Fraud Protect team.     Claire gave us a most interesting and useful talk designed to raise awareness of some of the ever-evolving ways criminals use to scam the public out of hard earned money. The information and advice was to empower us to identify potential frauds and prevent the loss of our valuable data to those intent on stealing it. TAKE FIVE is a national campaign offering straight forward and impartial advice to help people protect themselves from preventable financial fraud. If someone makes you uncomfortable during an unsolicited call, talk to 2 people about it before acting on anything. Fraud Victims are targeted in very sophisticated crimes. There is no blame for the victims. It can happen to anyone, specially if it arises at times

PhysioNet Shipment to Fiji 12th April 2025

PhysioNet Shipment to Fiji 12th April 2025

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We were at the charity PhysioNet, near Berkeley, on Saturday doing hard, but gratifying work.   PhysioNet’s warehouse was jam-packed with various mobility equipment which we helped to sort out and get ready. Our Bristol Soroptimists, together with Rotary members, helped to fill a container which is due to be shipped to Fiji. The Fiji High Commissioner, Jovilisi Suveinakama joined us at PhysioNet , as well as the charity’s founder, Peter Thompson MBE. This shipment on 12th April 2025 is the 25th to go to Fiji and the 171st shipment worldwide arranged by the charity. The container will now hopefully be dockside waiting to be loaded for its sea journey to Fiji soon.  

Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Welsh National Opera House, Cardiff 8th April 2025

Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Welsh National Opera House, Cardiff 8th April 2025

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  A group of 9 Soroptimists, Soroptimisters and several friends enjoyed a trip to Cardiff on Tuesday 8th April for a very convivial evening meal followed by an opera – Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Welsh National Opera House.     Peter Grimes is a tale of isolation and prejudice. It was very dramatic, the scenery was full of atmosphere, the lighting was superb and it had an excellent orchestra led by the conductor Tomáš  Hanus. This was a tremendous performance by the tenor Nicky Spence. We were very glad to be able to see it.  A big thanks goes to Ruth for organising yet again a very successful evening.