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78th Regional AGM and Conference June 16th/17th 2018

78th Regional AGM and Conference June 16th/17th 2018

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This is Daphne Dowsing’s second year as Regional President and the Regional AGM, Conference and friendship weekend was again held in Tiverton. Five of us attended the day and David S joined us in the evening. The first part of the morning was the AGM including reports, election and announcement of Regional Officers. Again there were inspiring and impressive speakers including Vanessa Glover: Ambassador for the RNLI, who told us of her amazing rescue, Ken Atherton: “Has anyone seen my rubber ducky”, Kay Richmond: Chair of Soroptimist International, and Anita Corbin: Author and Photographer First Women 2018, who spoke at the Regional AGM in Bristol some years ago and updated us on her completed book. More information on the talks can be found on the Regional Website. We took a display of our Programme Action (PA) activities highlighting not only the work for our Club

Speaker Meetings May, June and July

Speaker Meetings May, June and July

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This year we have enjoyed a number of Suppers followed by a speaker. In May we were “entertained” by the  Freewheelers (Blood Bikes).  It is amazing how they carry blood around the city to ensure there is a of blood for urgent “cases”.  In June we were visited by Unseen, this is the second year we have chosen then as our Charity of the Year.  We were updated on the work and support they are giving trafficked people in addition to suggesting ideas for us to support them not just by raising funds but through actions.  Look at the Programme Action posts for what we are doing. Finally in July, before the summer “holidays”, Canon Nicola Stanley, Canon Precentor Bristol Cathedral gave us a stimulating talk.  All our speakers are a joy to listen to and we want to know more about their work.  

Cream Tea and Cake Sale in Aid of Unseen

Cream Tea and Cake Sale in Aid of Unseen

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In August we held a Cream Tea and Cake Sale event to raise Money for Unseen.  It was a lovely sunny day and friends and Soroptimists had a relaxing time enjoying the afternoon hosted by Gish and Lucy and their Soroptimisters.    There were lots of lovely cakes to purchase and I am delighted to say that the scones and cream reflected both Devon (cream and then jam) and Cornwall (jam and then cream) a very nice touch for those of us who have a preference!  We raised over £130.00 for our Club Charity of the Year.  

Recycling & Reduction of Use of Disposable Plastics

Recycling & Reduction of Use of Disposable Plastics

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Programme Action has developed a list of information related to recycling and reduced use of plastic. The idea is to support places and shops that make an effort to reduce the use of plastic and to take individual responsibility for recycling and being aware of using plastics. Hopefully, this list is just a beginning and Liz N encourages anyone with further knowledge to contact her so the list may be kept up-to-date and relevant. Good Practice – National Trust now uses biodegradable wrapping for their magazine. They are made from potato starch. – City Hall sells reusable cups in their canteen. – Waitrose to plan to get rid of plastic cups by Autumn 2018. – A Swindon firm ‘Recycling Technology’ has developed a process to recycle previously non-recyclable plastic items. – Ann Garvie is producing a document “Sustainable Development Goals – What we can do”.

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Bag Packing 2018 (Updated 3 November 2018)

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Bag Packing 2018 (Updated 3 November 2018)

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On 17th March Marion and Yvonne, and on 23rd June Liz N and Marion helped to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children’s fund by packing bags at food counters at Marks and Spencer, Broadmead. Respectively, the amount collected was £180.88 and £362.86. The amount collected in March was low because there were only enough volunteers to cover four hours. In June, Barclays Bank supported the activity by matching the amount collected via their £4£ scheme. Thus, as a result of these two events, a total of £806.60 was raised for this appeal. The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal helps disadvantaged children under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) who reside within the Bristol city boundary to have a better Christmas by providing vouchers that can be exchanged for food, clothes and toys. Recipients are nominated by the Children and

SI Bristol Supports Skirting Science

SI Bristol Supports Skirting Science

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On Thursday 28th June, SI Western-Super-Mare organised their 10th ‘Skirting Science’ where three helpers from SI Bristol (SIB) attended. For the second time, it was held at Churchill Academy and Sixth Form. The event was attended by nearly 240 year 9 girls from 15 area schools. There were 14 workshops addressing various aspects of science, including interpreting the showing how the five senses affect the way we taste food and drink; designing a cabin in an aircraft; using an infra-red camera to look at changes in temperature and how it can be applied in the real world; and interpreting the genetic code to make a ‘Pro-Bot’ from Lego and learning how the 100,000 Genomes Project is being used to identify rare genetic diseases. Each participant attended three workshops. Sue P, SIGBI Vice President Barbara Dixon, Di and Marion  the three members  from SIB The event

Long Service Awards

Long Service Awards

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  Congratulations go to Anne, Margaret S, Hilary M, Liz N and Pat I. They received their Long Service awards at our AGM: Anne has been a Soroptimist for 50 years, Hilary and Pat 45 years and Liz N 35 years. However a  special celebration for Margaret who has been a Soroptimist for 60 years. Between them they have 235 years service!

Recycling and Reduction of Use of Disposable Plastics

Recycling and Reduction of Use of Disposable Plastics

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Programme Action has developed a list of information related to recycling and reduced use of plastic. The idea is to support places and shops that make an effort to reduce the use of plastic and to take individual responsibility for recycling and being aware of using plastics. Hopefully, this list is just a beginning and Liz N encourages anyone with further knowledge to contact her so the list may be kept up-to-date and relevant. Good Practice – National Trust now uses biodegradable wrapping for their magazine. They are made from potato starch. – City Hall sells reusable cups in their canteen. – Waitrose to plan to get rid of plastic cups by Autumn 2018. – A Swindon firm ‘Recycling Technology’ has developed a process to recycle previously non-recyclable plastic items. – Ann Garvie is producing a document “Sustainable Development Goals – What we can do”.

Bristol Soroptimist Miss Elizabeth Ralph named a “Great Westerner”

Bristol Soroptimist Miss Elizabeth Ralph named a “Great Westerner”

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Chosen from hundreds of nominations for local heroes to become Great Westerners, Bristol Soroptimist, Miss Elizabeth Ralph, was a “first” to have a new GWR train named after her!  The criteria for nominations were those who, past or present, deserved to be remembered as all-time great and had, in their lifetime, made the greatest contribution to Bristol. 50 new GWR trains were to be named after the successful  nominees considered as Bristol’s most inspiring Westerners. Known as an exacting and precise lady, she would have approved of the detail paid to ensuring her name sat in just the right place and at just the right angle on the new GWR gleaming engine! She was nominated by Bristol Soroptimists as well as members of the Bristol Archive Office and other related bodies who have benefited from her work. The reasons given for her nomination by Soroptimist

In Remembrance of Andrea 12th September 1939 –13th March 2018

In Remembrance of Andrea 12th September 1939 –13th March 2018

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Andrea joined SI Bristol in 1981 and was a keen Soroptimist being President 1987/88 and serving as a very conscientious and efficient Treasurer for a number of years.  In 2016 she received her 35 year certificate at one of our regular luncheons.  She kept up with all our events and had hoped to join us for Annual lunch this year, which was cancelled owing to the snow.  Sadly Andrea died on 13th March Southmead Hospital. Andrea was born in Devonport and later moved to Kingsteignton she was always very proud of her Devonshire roots. After school she went to College in Leicester studying youth work, moving, with a lifelong friend Monica, to Norfolk. She then moved West to work at Withywood youth centre as assistant leader, before a short spell at Bristol Polytechnic. Her final job was Accommodation and welfare officer at Bristol University. This