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Speaker Meeting Monday 11th March: Toby Pinn, Valuer and Former Auctioneer

Speaker Meeting Monday 11th March: Toby Pinn, Valuer and Former Auctioneer

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    Toby Pinn, who has entertained us on a number of occasions gave a most interesting talk at our Speaker Meeting on ‘The Fine Art of Valuation. Price is what you pay, value is what you get‘.He had brought a selection of objects and used these to show how prices change because of fashion and popular demand and because of the change in the value of gold and silver.The value of an item is dictated by market forces and therefore subject to constant change.Toby said that platinum used to be the most valuable metal, but its value had been overtaken by that of gold, while the value of silver had dropped.This affects the monetary value of objects but he pointed out that objects often have a value beyond price.Thank you Toby, it was a fascinating evening and we are already looking forward to your

International Women’s Day 2024 (Post 2 of 3): Bristol City Hall 2nd March 2024

International Women’s Day 2024 (Post 2 of 3): Bristol City Hall 2nd March 2024

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    For some years, Bristol Women’s Voice (BWV) has organised an event in City Hall on the Saturday close to International Women’s Day (8th March).   On 2nd March, many local organisations with a focus on women’s issues, health and safety gathered to share their goals and provide contact information. SI Bristol has long-supported this event and this year was no exception. From 9:00 until 17:00, eleven members were present on a 1-hour (or longer) shift basis. They welcomed visitors, answered their questions and handed them relevant promotional literature. We discussed with other participants how we could work together on issues affecting women and girls. There was considerable interest in our Soroptimist display – especially regarding what the ‘Soroptimist’ name means – and, of course, in the work that we do. There was also interest in our fun interactive section – we asked “What

International Women’s Day 8th March 2024: SI Bristol Raise Awareness

International Women’s Day 8th March 2024: SI Bristol Raise Awareness

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  As part of SIGBI’s 2024 initiative to raise awareness of International Women’s Day (8th March), members from SI Bristol gathered in front of City Hall, College Green, Bristol.     We wore blue which is one of SIGBI’s brand colours and made heart signs with our hands – the 2024 theme representing ‘Inspire Inclusion’. We were honoured to be joined by Bristol’s Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding who is an Honorary Member of SI Bristol.

Speaker Meeting Monday 12th February 2024: Welcome to our Regional President and The History of the Royal West of England Academy  – by Alison Bevan, Director/CEO

Speaker Meeting Monday 12th February 2024: Welcome to our Regional President and The History of the Royal West of England Academy  – by Alison Bevan, Director/CEO

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    We welcomed our Margaret Parkinson our Regional President  who joined us at our Speaker Meeting .  Thank you Margaret is was lovely seeing you here in Bristol.       Alison Bevan, Director/CEO gave a  fascinating talk about the history of Royal West of England Academy (RWA).      The RWA is Bristol’s first Art Gallery, described by Sir Nicholas Serota as one of the most beautiful galleries in the country.  The RWA began its existence in 1844 at the instigation of a woman artist, Ellen Sharples for the promotion of Fine Arts. It soon became an important and well-regarded art institution. One of the main activities has been to hold an Open Exhibition, with a brief break during the Second World War (when the building was requisitioned for use by GI’s stationed in Bristol). The annual exhibition has shown thousands of artworks by amateur artists as well

Speaker Meeting 8th January 2024: Welcome to Sharon followed by Bristol’s Lost City – Clive Burlton

Speaker Meeting 8th January 2024: Welcome to Sharon followed by Bristol’s Lost City – Clive Burlton

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    Welcome Sharon:   Before our Speaker Meeting we were delighted to welcome Sharon.  We know she will enjoy our programme work and will settle in quickly        Clive started by telling us that that the following story came about because of a photograph he found of his grandfather in the first world war.      He then told us that in 1914 a large area between Ashton Gate and Cumberland Basin was developed to house the Bristol International Exhibition.  They planned a trade fair and amusement park supported by the great and the good of Bristol.  200 workmen a week worked for just 10 weeks and then it opened.  He showed us many pictures of the site as it developed, and it was nicknamed “White City”.  It was an amazing site, that could be viewed from Bedminster Down.  The funds £100,000 were

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Supported Again by Members of SI Bristol

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Supported Again by Members of SI Bristol

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This December, members from SI Bristol Liz N and Marion and other members of the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal Committee had two successful fundraising events. One was a Carol Concert in St George’s Hall, where we collected the amazing sum of £1051. Those present at the Concert enjoyed listening to several choirs, a brass band and also singing favourite Christmas Carols. A few days later, accompanying Santa’s sleigh from the Water Tower on the Downs, along Whiteladies Road, Park Street and Broadmead to Cabot Circus, we collected £650. Santa and the Lord Mayor (Councillor Paul Goggin) rode in the sleigh, which stopped frequently to allow passersby to take photographs and make a donation. With carols blaring, it was impossible to ignore the sleigh!

To Mark the Start of 16 Days of Activism: 25th November 2023

To Mark the Start of 16 Days of Activism: 25th November 2023

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  To mark the start of #16Days of activism and the United Nations’ UNiTE campaign to #OrangeTheWorld, SI Bristol members Ruth and Ivete delivered 29 orange bags of essential toiletries and treats to be given out to survivors as they arrive at Next Link Domestic Abuse Services in Bristol. The majority of survivors flee without possessions, over the last few months our members collected these items to support them. The reality is that women and children will often arrive at Next Link with no personal belongings. This is because they may see a fleeting chance to leave their abusive situation, and they take it, without having a chance to pack anything. For women leaving a domestic abuse situation, packing their children’s favourite comforters, toys, clothing and toiletries – let alone a Christmas gift – is often the last thing on their minds. Soroptimist Bristol will

Railing Against Abuse: 25th November 2023

Railing Against Abuse: 25th November 2023

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      Each wearing orange, six members of SI Bristol caught the train to Weston-super- Mare.   On the journey from Worle Councillor Wendy Griggs, Chairman of North Somerset Council, spotted our banners and introduced herself. She remained with us until we joined the rest of the Soroptimists and others outside the station. Where she met up with the Mayor of Weston super Mare for the March. We marched through the shopping area, handing out bookmarks, to Grove Park where we tied ribbons on the railings round the pond. Each of the 110 ribbons represented a death from domestic violence over a year. Other Soroptimists joined us there and there were seven from SI Bristol in total. From there we gathered at the bandstand for speeches about domestic violence and the importance of eliminating it. Two statistics stand out: only one quarter of instances

Christmas Fair: In Aid of Mary’s Meals – 25th November 2023

Christmas Fair: In Aid of Mary’s Meals – 25th November 2023

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  Thanks to all our efforts today we raised £243 for Mary’s Meals.  Not a bad morning’s work!  There was hardly anything left, so we could say we sold out! All Mary’s Meals donations between now and the end of January will be doubled in their “Double the Love” campaign so that will make £486 from today’s fundraising which will feed 25 children for a whole school year with a nourishing breakfast. That is a wonderful feeling! Thank you to everyone who helped at the hall today and also to all who contributed with items for the Soroptimist Bristol stall at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church Hall in Bristol

Speaker Meeting 13th November 2023: The Wave – Nick Houndsfield

Speaker Meeting 13th November 2023: The Wave – Nick Houndsfield

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  At our evening meeting on November 13th the speaker was Nick Houndsfield whose vision and determination was the inspiration for The Wave, an inland surfing lake just outside of Bristol. It is an amazing story of how the Wave was built in 2019/2020, his philosophy behind the company focussing on the environment, health, sustainability and accessibility for all, men, women, children and for those with disabilities.  It was born out of a passion for technology, nature and human health. All should have enjoyment and fun. The team is working towards the ultimate goal of Paralympic inclusion for surfing. It was a truly inspiring evening given by a very modest man, thank you Nick.