SIGBI Conference 31st October to 2nd November 2025:  Awareness, Advocacy and Action       Five of us from SI Bristol attended Conference this year:  Ivete, Lizzie, Lola, Sally and Sue P and we were delighted to be joined by Ruth from SI Weston-super-Mare.  The Conference was opened by the Conference Chairperson Alison Cramer, and we were then welcomed by SIGBI President Ruth Healey.  The flags of all the countries in our Federation were then displayed by members from that country or if there was no delegate able to attend a “substitute” stood in for them. The Conference brought us all together both socially and in a learning capacity and the inspirational speakers were stunning.  In the workshops on day 2 we met other likeminded Soroptimists and here you see us in the Membership Workshop “Sharing Experiences”.  On our table we had members from

On Sunday 5th October we enjoyed a special luncheon to celebrate 105 years of Soroptimist service.  We gathered together in Nailsea with some very special guests: the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding who is also an honorary member of our Club, the Rotary Club President, Brian Snary and Soroptimists from the South West and Channel Islands Region and beyond.  President Funlola welcomed us and the room was buzzing with excitement,  Our after dinner speaker Ashley Jones MBE entertained us “The Nobel Prize – The History of the World’s most Prestigious Award” . What a lovely afternoon we all had.  Many thanks to all those who made it so special.

Six of us from SI Bristol attended the South West and Channel Islands Regional Meeting on Saturday 27th September.     We welcomed three speakers – Dr Ruscombe Foster’s talk was “In Search of Florence Nightingale” and Dr John Robson’s talk was “A Whistle Stop Tour of DNA” both talks were of historical interest.  However, we were also delighted to welcome the S.I. Director Cathy Cottridge (Past President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland).  Cathy’s presentation was about the Cervical Cancer Campaign.  She highlighted why the campaign was so important and how we can get involved.  This was followed by the Council Meeting – the business of the day. For more information on the meeting visit the Regional website.

Our Club had yet another enjoyable and successful trip to the Watermill Theatre in Newbury on Wednesday 27 August. Ruth arranged a coach to take members, partners and some friends to see a production of the timeless  musical Jesus Christ Superstar, with lunch at the theatre beforehand.  This was our annual summer outing. In the darkened, small wood-lined space of the Watermill Theatre the interior had been set out like a church, with light breaking through a rose window, candles in arched niches and wooden hammer beams at roof level. It was very atmospheric. This production had a cast of 18 people working really well together and producing the sound of a professional orchestra that left us in awe. Andrew Lloyd-Webber came to the Watermill to see this acclaimed performance in July! Everyone said the same thing: it was thrilling – a memorable and happy

On Saturday 9th August, we organised a group visit to Glenside Hospital Museum which is really interesting and the presentation of the exhibits is excellent. Certainly worth a second visit. With support from the Royal Society, Glenside Hospital Museum, located in the Fishponds area in the grounds of the old psychiatric Stoke Park Hospital, discovered three historic pioneers of brain research in Bristol. It is housed in the 1881 Grade II listed asylum church just inside the grounds. The main hospital building is now used by the University of West of England as their Health and Social Care Campus. Stoke Park was previously one of the residences of the late Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. Mrs Rosa Gladys Burden (1891-1939) was a matron at Stoke Park Colony, a hospital for those with learning difficulties.  She continued the business after her husband’s death and founded the

UN’s International Day of Hope 12th July 2025 .  At the South West and Channel Islands’ Regional Meeting we met up with Linda Gerraghty of SI Halifax one of SI Bristol’s Friendship Link Clubs. It was really lovely as we usually meet up at our annual Conference but we haven’t been able to meet up at Conference for some time.