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Soroptimist International Celebrates 100 Years in 2021: A Virtual Conference

Soroptimist International Celebrates 100 Years in 2021: A Virtual Conference

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  Leading up to the Soroptimist International 100 Celebrations, we were invited to take part in a “Candle Ceremony” submitting a picture and four wishes (pictured left).           We joined many other clubs worldwide “lighting up the world in the name of a brilliant future”.         Soroptimist International Celebrates 100 Years: A Virtual Conference 2nd October (5-8pm BST):  An introduction was followed by an illustrated history of Soroptimism. We were pleased that the parallel existence of Venture Clubs was mentioned as SI Bristol was the first Venture Club established in 1920 later to become a Soroptimist Club Each of the five Federations described their achievements since the last Conference and their current projects.  Their impact on women and children globally, even during the coronavirus pandemic was impressive.  It was both eye-opening and eye-watering to hear the associated stories. The United

St Peter’s Hospice Midnight Walk Fundraiser: Thank you Yvonne, Liz N and Sally

St Peter’s Hospice Midnight Walk Fundraiser: Thank you Yvonne, Liz N and Sally

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On 11th September Yvonne, Liz N and Sally represented SI Bristol on the St Peter’s Hospice Midnight Walk.  They had an enjoyable time and were up bright and early the next day for our 100 years celebratory tea.   Donations are still coming in and so please let us know if you’d like to make a donation.

Speaker Meeting 13th September 202: Kate Newnham from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery – Flowers in Japanese Art

Speaker Meeting 13th September 202: Kate Newnham from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery – Flowers in Japanese Art

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Our first face to face speaker meeting since the beginning of the Covid restrictions was held in our new venue Redwood Audley.  We thank all of you who organised our move, we had a lovely meal and everything ran very smoothly. We welcomed Kate Newnham, from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and she talked told us about “Flowers in Japanese Art”.  She told us about the connection between flowers and poetry, flowers and the Tea Ceremony and how animals and birds go together too.   She also told us how the blossoms and flowers of the seasons influence Japanese life and are a talking point when visiting homes etc. At the end of the evening President Sue (Immediate Past President Marion was there too), presented Bristol Museum with our lovely plate for safe keeping.  The plate was given to us by our Japanese Friendship Link Yuko

Celebratory Tea Party at Merchants Hall 12th September 2021: 100 Years of Sisterhood

Celebratory Tea Party at Merchants Hall 12th September 2021: 100 Years of Sisterhood

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On the 12th September 2021 we celebrated 100 years of Sisterhood.  Due to the Covid restrictions it was delayed by a year.  More than 60 guests arrived at Merchants Hall for an amazing afternoon tea.  The guests included Peaches Golding Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol also an honorary member of SI Bristol.  Other guests, included President John Hirst, from our co-founders, the Rotary Club of Bristol and Sue Murphy Chair of the Avon WI Federation.  Of course there were guests from Soroptimist Clubs of Bath, Cheltenham, Cirencester, St Austell, and Weston-super-Mare.  Our Regional President Elect, Jackie Collins, from Yeovil was there too, along with many members, current and former of our Bristol Club together with some partners. Maureen organised the day along with Pauline C who made an amazing celebratory cake which was cut by our longest serving member Anne

What did we do during the Summer of 2021!

What did we do during the Summer of 2021!

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The Just so Stories: Another visit to The Watermill Theatre, Newbury On the 2nd September Ruth organised another successful outing.  We returned to the Watermill theatre, where we have been before, in time for lunch.  This was very well organised outside in their lovely garden.  The stage had been brought outside too and so we enjoyed the performance on a lovely sunny day shaded by the trees.  It was so enjoyable that we hope Ruth will take us there again in the foreseeable future. Tyntesfield:  Guided Walk On August 24th, SI Bristol members visited Tyntesfield, for a guided tree walk of magnificent British Isles and County Champion tree specimens with Chris Watts.  Chris had introduced us to the trees earlier in the yea via Zoom.  It was lovely seeing them at the lovely estate so near to our homes.  Thank you Pauline H for organising

So similar yet so far apart: SI Bristol and SI Oakland Founder Clubs

So similar yet so far apart: SI Bristol and SI Oakland Founder Clubs

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So similar yet so far apart: In 2020, the Soroptimist International of Bristol (originally known as Venture Club) in the UK celebrated its centenary. In October 2021, the Soroptimist International of Oakland in the USA celebrates its centenary. There are an amazing number of similarities, and a few differences, between the two Clubs. Similarities between Founder Presidents Somewhat unusual for the early 1920s, the Founder Presidents had received a high level of education and had careers in education. Miss Eleanor Addison Phillips in Bristol, taught history and sports. Miss Violet Richardson in Oakland taught physical education and health. They were humanitarians and known for treating all their students with dignity and respect, seeking to bring out the best of each one of them. They were also keen walkers. Both Eleanor and Violet were approached by contemporaries to preside over their respective clubs. With their indomitable

SIGBI Day of Action Saturday 17 July 2021: Raising Awareness of Climate Change.

SIGBI Day of Action Saturday 17 July 2021: Raising Awareness of Climate Change.

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SI Bristol members using candle light on the SIGBI Day of Action Saturday 17th  July to raise awareness of Climate Change. On the Day of Action, our members switched off lights and standby appliances for 15 minutes in each household to save energy.  Each small action we take individually to address Climate Change makes a difference. Energy efficiency is good for us and for the air we breathe, the water you drink, and the community in which you live. Saving energy reduces air and water pollution and conserves natural resources, which in turn creates a healthier living environment for people everywhere.  Let’s keep up the good work.  

Speaker Meeting 12th July 2021: Annabel Lewis – The World of the Honeybee

Speaker Meeting 12th July 2021: Annabel Lewis – The World of the Honeybee

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Annabel has been a bee keeper for 10 years and is Chair of North Somerset Bee Keepers.  Annabel started by describing the privilege of being a bee keeper. Relationship between the honeybee and the flower: She described the relationship between the honeybee and the flower which has evolved over many years. With wind pollination you need a lot of wind and so nature has devised its own way to pollinate.  Flowers communicate with the bees and bees communicate with the flowers.  She showed us the flowers in ultra-violate light.  The entries to the flowers showed as dark with nectar guides guiding the bees to their centre.  They also communicate electrostatically and the honeybee is drawn to the plant because of this.  The pollen lands on the honeybee and it carries the pollen on its back legs.  As it moves to the next flower it deposits

Fundraising for SI Bristol Charities 2020-2021 – National Centre for Integrative Medicine and Lifeskills

Fundraising for SI Bristol Charities 2020-2021 – National Centre for Integrative Medicine and Lifeskills

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During the 2020-2021 Club year, SI Bristol raised a total of £7,540 for its two charities, National Centre for Integrative Medicine (NCIM) and Lifeskills: Learning for Living. £1,700 was obtained from sponsors (Rathbones Bank, Kellands, Renshaw) for the cancelled   Alice Roberts lectures. The remaining money was raised by two members, President Marion (above) and Jen (right) who, in this centenary year, challenged themselves to walk 100 miles a month for, respectively, 6 months and 12 months. Both exceeded their target and their Sponsors donated an impressive £5,840. Due to current restrictions, the money was paid directly to the charities. The money donated to NCIM was for their Access Fund and will allow 40 women on low incomes to take advantage of a series of three half price appointments.  NCIM expressed their gratitude.    

Litter Pick on Durdham Downs Saturday 19th June 2021

Litter Pick on Durdham Downs Saturday 19th June 2021

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Our Litter Pick organised by our Programme Action Officer Yvonne,  on Bristol’s Durdham Downs, on Saturday 19th June was another success.  This time 11 of us were there and again we split up into small groups ensuring that we social distanced as we went around.  As we are still not able to meet face to face it was lovely hearing what others are doing in preparation for the lifting of restrictions! It was interesting to see that there was less litter than our event last July (top left June 2021 and right July 2020).  We look forward to our next Litter Pick to be together again and we especially enjoyed being thanked by people we passed.