Once again Ruth organised an amazing visit.  This time a guided visit to the Victorian Garden Cemetery at Arnos Vale, a leafy setting rich in architecture where they hold events, including weddings.   There were lots of interesting things to see but one of the most exciting graves very close to the entrance, in the Ceremonial Walk, we found the grave of a Bristol Soroptimist, Carmen Beckford MBE (1928-2016), opposite Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s monument.  As a young Jamaican woman, Carmen travelled to the UK and trained here to become a nurse and then became a midwife. She was known as the Carnival Queen after helping to set up St Paul’s Carnival in 1967. She was a social activist, became the first Race Relations Officer in Bristol and was the first black recipient of an MBE in the South West. Our guide was Alan, a

    On 11th October 2022, three SI Bristol Members (Denise, Laurence and Marion) participated in the Year 11 mock interviews at Oasis Academy John Williams.   160 students were interviewed one-on-one by 30 interviewers with the remit to encourage and instil confidence in the young people. Interviewers, who were volunteers from various local companies and organisations, each talked individually with 5 or 6 students for 10 to 15 minutes. The students were smartly dressed in their school uniforms and while most walked into the room looking apprehensive, they walked out with more confidence and a smile. As each interview ended, the interviewer completed a comprehensive Evaluation Form that covered many aspects of the student’s performance, such as appearance, clarity of the communication, or self-confidence. This document forms part of the student’s portfolio, is discussed at the forthcoming parents evening and is intended to support

  On Monday 26th September at our Club Meeting, we welcomed two new members.   Funlola has been attending meetings for a while and we are delighted that she has now officially transferred from SI Lagos.  We also welcomed Laurence as a new member, and she is already showing an interest in the work that we do.  As is our usual practice they both told us a bit about themselves which is always interesting and helps us get to know our new members and why they want to join us.

  At the Regional Meeting on 25th June three of our newer members shared why they enjoy being a Bristol Soroptimist   Lynda Bryan Brown What I enjoy about being a Soroptimist, is the mixture of a very welcoming, friendly and sociable environment and the charitable activities for both local and national women who are in difficult circumstances for a range of different reasons.Andrea ElsonWhen I was invited to attend one of the supper/ speaker evenings last year, I immediately felt the friendliness of everybody and was given a warm welcome. I am so happy and honoured to have been accepted to join such a worthwhile organisation as Soroptimist International. I hope in the future I will be a useful member and will do my best to strive to make sure this happens. Jess Amey Watch this space for Jess’s comments.

On the 17th May 2022, Lizzie C, our Communications Officer and Webmaster, was awarded the Lord Mayor’s medal for extraordinary longstanding and selfless volunteering. The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Steve Smith read the citation and gave Lizzie her medal and certificate.     Lizzie has been a very active Soroptimist since 2008. As President of SI Bristol in 2013, she rose to the challenge set by SIGBI when they sought support for campaigning (in conjunction with the Prison Reform Trust) to reduce women’s imprisonment. She organised several events, finding her connections with Magistrates invaluable especially as the Lead Magistrate involved with the Eden House Women’s Project. She was also the principal organiser of the Gift Box in support of the charity Unseen. Her other voluntary activities include involvement in Redland Junior High School including involvement with the annual surf camp.  She was

On the 18th May we visited the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity emergency base in Almondsbury.     Teams of Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care & Critical Care Doctors provide incredible care using emergency care cars & helicopter.  On the 8th February 2021 we welcomed Joe who spoke at our Speaker Meeting please look at our post as there is lots more there for you to see.