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Bag Packing at Marks and Spencer

Bag Packing at Marks and Spencer

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On Saturday, 16th March, 2019, a team worked at Marks & Spencer in Broadmead to collect money for the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children’s Appeal. Helpers stood at the end of the check-out counters in the Food Hall and offered to help shoppers pack their bags. Seven SI Bristol Soroptimists took part (LC, PC, DH, IH, YM, LN, MR). For the day’s effort, £402.27 was raised, making it possible for two vouchers, of £20 each, to be given next Christmas to 10 children.

11th March 2019: The Artist`s Muse – Kerry Postle

11th March 2019: The Artist`s Muse – Kerry Postle

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On Monday March 11th, Soroptimist International of Bristol heard a most interesting talk by Kerry Postle. Kerry teaches English as a Foreign Language, but she has recently had her first book published and the second, on the Spanish Civil War, is due for publication at the beginning of April. Kerry is particularly interested in writing from a woman’s perspective in the “me too” age, and says that she wrote her first book because she wanted to read it. Her first book is called The Artists Muse and in it she seeks to show the different attitude of artists towards their models rather than towards the women of a higher class whom they also painted. She illustrated this different attitude by describing the work of two artists, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Klimt’s famous painting entitled The Kiss shows his muse, Wally Newzil, with whom he

A Bevy of Bears from Region

A Bevy of Bears from Region

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On 23rd March 2019, a bounty of Teddy Bears was given to SI Bristol by members of the SW&CI Region. The Bears will be at the Tea at the Marriott Hotel on 10th May 2020 as a part of SI Bristol’s Friendship Weekend Centenary Celebrations. After which they will be given to the Motorway Police who will give one as a comfort to any child involved in a road accident. Together with the Bears already knitted by SI Bristol members, this bolus of Bears means we are well on our way to reaching our target of 100 Bears by May 2020. Thank you all so much, keep knitting!

Annual visit to Number 63

Annual visit to Number 63

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Our annual visit to stay at Number 63 Bayswater Road at our very own Soroptimist boutique hotel was attended by 10 Soroptimists and 3 Soroptimisters. Our first evening was a visit to the theatre to see “Company” which sadly ended after the first three quatres of an hour when the lead actress became unwell.  As she was the understudy (the main actress was already unwell) they had to cancel the show.  A huge disappointment. The second evening was spent in the usual Italian Restaurant that is very close to Number 63. The rest of the time we enjoyed the sights of London finding new events and fun places to visit.  Many thanks to Jeanette, Pauline and Ruth for making it happen.

16th January 2019: Raising more money for Unseen

16th January 2019: Raising more money for Unseen

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On 16th January 2019 Ruth hosted a fund-raising event for Unseen which was enjoyed by a number of us including Seroptimisters. We enjoyed a ploughman’s supper and good wine. We had lots of time to chat and talk about our adventures over the festive season.  We then had a table of  “unwanted” Christmas presents.  We donated the presents we had received that were not suitable and walked away with delightful presents we had chosen.  It was a lovely evening, thank you Ruth for hosting it. Photograph to follow  

Packing Shoe Boxes for UNSEEN

Packing Shoe Boxes for UNSEEN

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On Tuesday 18th December, a team of PA committee members (Liz N, Marion R, Sue P, Yvonne M) worked for 3 hours wrapped items to be given to people spending Christmas in an UNSEEN Safe House. Nine items were wrapped in Christmassy paper and placed in shoe boxes (8 for women, 5 for men, and 2 for children).  The shoe boxes and their lids were wrapped separately in gift paper, giving a festive look.  That means 250 items were wrapped!  Thank you to all the SIB members who contributed the gift items.  

14th January 2019: Two Bristol Soroptimists entertain us

14th January 2019: Two Bristol Soroptimists entertain us

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The first meeting of the new year was a real treat. We were entertained by two of our Bristol Soroptimists, Ruth and Pat Ruth started her talk by asking “How many people write letters” – the response was very few! She then went on to tell us that she has recently published a book of the letters she received from her Mother in the 1970’s.  Whilst at University she received weekly letters from her Mother 3-4 pages long.  She read some of them out and we were delighted her mother managed to amuse us with the way she managed the distance between her and Ruth.  This book is a social history of that era and gives an amusing and descriptive glimpse into normal family life. The second member Pat spoke of her experience working with 4yr.old children for a BBC TV programme in 2017. The

12th March 2019: Bristol Hannover “Exchange” – Ann Kennard

12th March 2019: Bristol Hannover “Exchange” – Ann Kennard

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The Bristol Hannover Twinning was established in 1947 just after the war. The link between Bristol and Hannover is one of the oldest twinnings between Britain and Germany. The Council has been facilitating exchanges of citizens every year, holds cultural and social events, welcomes and assists groups visiting Bristol from Hannover. 2017 was a historic year as Bristol celebrated 70 years of twinning with Hannover and Bordeaux, France. The talk covered many interesting aspects of the link and more information can be found on their website giving a full history of the link

Charity Event for Unseen: Making a Centrepiece

Charity Event for Unseen: Making a Centrepiece

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On 5th December 2018 Lucy hosted a fund-raising event for Unseen which was enjoyed by thirteen participants; nine of whom made a festive centrepiece. Some arrived with a degree of trepidation with regard to their perceived inability to being able to make a centrepiece. However, with an ample supply of a variety of foliage and decorations all were pleased with their creation. Other members supported the event and arrived in time for coffee and mince pies.  They admired the centrepieces and congratulated Gish and Denise who had encouraged and led the event.