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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.

Tree Fest at St Mary Redcliffe Church 2018

Tree Fest at St Mary Redcliffe Church 2018

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From today (4th December) until Saturday 8th December, St Mary Redcliffe Church is hosting a Tree Fest. Denise, with a little help from her husband and Marion, decorated a tree on behalf of SI Bristol. There are over 70 trees on display that were made by local charities and organizations. The trees are available for viewing between 10:00am and 5:00pm. On Thursday, the Church will be open until 8:00pm and during the evening, drinks and food will be available for a small fee. For more information, enter into a search engine: St Mary Redcliffe TreeFest.  Come along and see what you think.

Railing Against Abuse

Railing Against Abuse

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On Sunday 25th November, seven members from SI Bristol and Soroptimists from throughout the southwest joined the SI Weston-super-Mare Club in their initiative to raise awareness and support the United Nations annual “Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”. Soroptomists travelled by train (hence “railing”) to Western-super-Mare station to join members of the local Club. Most were adorned in distinctive orange clothing (including wigs) because that is the colour designated by the UN for that day. The group walked in an orderly fashion from the station, via the sea front, shopping precinct and park, to the Commemorative Garden. Many carried banners highlighting abuse against women (again hence “railing”). During the walk, “Loves me /Loves me not” bookmarks were enthusiastically given to members of the public. This publicity material has been carefully produced to define in clear and simple terms the difference between a good

Conference 2018, Liverpool and Meeting up with our Friendship Links

Conference 2018, Liverpool and Meeting up with our Friendship Links

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84th Federation Conference, Liverpool 25-27th October 2018. I attended this excellent Conference with members Helen Davies & Di Hill who, unlike me, were working extremely hard behind the scenes to make sure that everything ran efficiently and to time. The keynote speakers were: Emily Rose Yates, wheel chair bound, inspired us with her work to improve travel facilities for disabled persons, Terry Waite needs no introduction, talked of his kidnapping and how he survived mentally with the loneliness, Dr Annemarie Wilson, a psychologist working hard to persuade 28 countries in Africa to adopt anti FGM laws. Ellie Bird Lena-warungu retired from the Police Force to work in Africa advising on stopping sexual and gender based violence and empowering women and girls to make changes based on what they want for their families. Sally Kettle the first woman to row the Atlantic twice from East to

Open Evening October 22nd 2018

Open Evening October 22nd 2018

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How many times have we heard, that no one has heard of Soroptimists? With this in mind, we decided to advertise an ‘Open Evening’ in local, monthly free magazines. Through this medium five people contacted us, which together with other interested women meant 10 ‘new’ people attended. We wanted presentations to be short and interesting and Programme Action focused. After some refreshments and introductions, one of our members explained why she is a Soroptimist followed by several examples of the projects, that SI Bristol is engaged in supporting. Feedback has been very positive; the friendly and welcoming ambiance and our obvious commitment to projects that will change the lives of women and children.

Soroptimist Wreath at Act of Remembrance

Soroptimist Wreath at Act of Remembrance

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On 9th November, 2018, an annual Act of Remembrance service was arranged by All Saints Church, Clifton, led by its Vicar, Charles Sutton with support from ‘Churches Together in Clifton, Cotham and Redland’ at St John’s War Memorial on Whiteladies Road. It was attended by over 200 schoolchildren from local schools along with many adults.  Wreaths were laid by military representatives, the Royal British Legion, cadets, schools and local organisations, including SI Bristol.  Some lovely wreaths were handmade by participating children.