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Great Western Air Ambulance Charity: A visit to their base at Almondsbury

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity: A visit to their base at Almondsbury

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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.

Next Link SI Bristol’s Charity of the Year

Next Link SI Bristol’s Charity of the Year

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Speaker meeting Monday 9th May 2022: Sarah O’Leary, CEO, from Missing Link, Next Link and Safe Link We were delighted to welcome Sarah to our Meeting on Monday she was so enthusiastic about the work that they do.  She told us how the “service” was set up and some of us were involved at that time and since then in various ways.  Next Link is not only in Bristol but North Somerset and South Gloucestershire too it is a specialist domestic abuse services for women and children. However, as well as domestic abuse support services they provide women’s mental health support services and independent support for victims of rape and sexual abuse. This year we hope to raise money for this very worthwhile local charity and also, raise awareness of issues, and help with some of their activities.  The best way to find out more

SI Bristol and SI Weston-super-Mare Pairing Event:   Walk of Interest in Clifton

SI Bristol and SI Weston-super-Mare Pairing Event:   Walk of Interest in Clifton

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On Tuesday 10th May, six members from SI Bristol and three members from SI Weston-super-Mare met at Christ Church Clifton and participated in a tour around a small section of Clifton Village. The 90-minute walk was led by Marion. A colourful map of Clifton was handed out. We learnt several interesting things, including that there was a riding school, owned by Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company on Clifton Road, which in its heyday housed 250 horses. And, when Boyce’s Building was built it was located on a breezy plateau with amazing views looking to the north west. The walk was enjoyed by all present and ended in a congenial lunch out-of-doors.  

President Sue in the limelight again: 14th April 2022

President Sue in the limelight again: 14th April 2022

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Sue, coming to the end of her third term as President of the Soroptimist Club of Bristol was chosen to be one of 96 women to receive Maundy money at a traditional service held on the Thursday 14th April prior to Easter at St George’s chapel, Windsor .       She was chosen by the Bishop of Bristol, and approved by the office of HM in recognition of significant roles within the local and wider community, including chairing of the quadrennial Soroptimist International Convention in Dublin in 2023 and support of her parish church.   For the first time, the two leather purses were given at the service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor by the Prince of Wales on behalf of the Queen.

Speaker Meeting 11th April 2022: Children’s Hospice South West

Speaker Meeting 11th April 2022: Children’s Hospice South West

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On Monday 11th April, Clemi from Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) introduced us to all of the amazing work done by the whole team. CHSW came from the dream of a couple to ensure that no family has to travel more than 90 minutes by car to reach their nearest children’s hospice. Their facilities include music therapy, hydrotherapy and much more for children with life-limiting conditions. They also provide activities and one-to-one therapy for the siblings as well as opportunities for the parents to gain some well-needed respite. Soroptimist International of Bristol looks forward to supporting the hospice in the future.

Age UK Bristol:  Kay Libby Chief Executive Officer

Age UK Bristol:  Kay Libby Chief Executive Officer

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Kay started attention and said that happy, cheerful people live 7 years longer which made us all smile! She then went on to tell us about the services they  provide and about the services they are about to start. Information & Advice service:  providing information and advice on a wide range of finance, housing and social care matters.  We are also currently supporting older prisoners in Horfield prison. Community Services:  these are our charged for services and include the New Beginnings day centre in Withywood, our Home Support service and Memory Connections which is a cognitive stimulation therapy service for people with mild-moderate dementia and is aimed at delaying memory loss. LinkAge:  this is a service aimed at improving people’s access to activities and events.  It is LinkAge that organise tai chi, art on Zoom, FAB cafes and discos, befriending and peer support and the

International Women’s Day 8th March 2022

International Women’s Day 8th March 2022

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  Soroptimist International of Bristol mark International Women’s Day with postings on social media in advance and on the day. This included a special video to mark the occasion  #BreakTheBias         Across the world thousands of Soroptimists will mark International Women’s Day with hundreds of activities and events on and around 8th March.  In some countries just gathering puts women’s lives at risk. Events highlight the economic, political and social achievements of women, and raise awareness of work still to be done to build a better world for women and girls so. To view the video click “Video (2)” below. Video (2)

Speaker Meeting 7th February 2022: Valentine’s Day and Other Spring Festivals – Professor Ronald Hutton

Speaker Meeting 7th February 2022: Valentine’s Day and Other Spring Festivals – Professor Ronald Hutton

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  The talk reviewed a number of festivals, revealing that prehistorically they were based on survival, farming and nature. Later they were based on religion and Christianity and more recently focused on community, human life and family, of which Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day were given as examples.     While the origin of ‘Valentine’ is not known, Chaucer recorded that 14th February was the day birds chose their mate. Initially, recipients were loved ones but also could be by pulling a name or even the first person they met on that morning! By the 18th century the favoured token was a letter or card.  In the 1840s, commercial cards became available. By 1914, after cards had become increasingly rude, the practice nearly faded out. In the 1950s, the sending of cards to a loved one on Valentine’s Day was reintroduced by the USA.  Interestingly 15th

Annual visit to Number 63 Bayswater Road London – 3rd February 2022

Annual visit to Number 63 Bayswater Road London – 3rd February 2022

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Good News after missing last year due to Covid restrictions this year 13 of us including Soroptimisters were able to visit London and stay at our very own Soroptimist boutique hotel.  During the day we made our own arrangements visiting museums, art galleries and many other historic places.  On the first night we all gathered at our usual lovely Italian restaurant near the hotel and then on the Friday night we all went to the Phoenix Theatre and enjoyed the popular musical “Come from Away” We really missed our visit to London last year and so many, many  thanks to Pauline and Ruth for making it happen.