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Survey on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery 1st – 7th October 2017

Survey on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery 1st – 7th October 2017

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We hope you may like to help us by answering a few questions on what you know about human trafficking and modern slavery. The online survey is only open until 7th October and it really only takes five minutes to complete. Below is an explanation about what we are doing but to speed it up for you if you put www.sigbi.org/ukpac/survey/ into your browser it takes you directly to the survey. If you want to remain anonymous where it asks for your email address put in slaverysurveyuk@gmail.com More Information about the survey Survey on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery  1st – 7th October 2017 Does slavery happen in the UK today? The Soroptimist Club of Bristol is taking part in a larger survey (along with Soroptimist Clubs, across the whole of England) during 1st – 7th October this year. This is with the support of

Coffee Morning in aid of Unseen

Coffee Morning in aid of Unseen

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On 24th August we all enjoyed a lovely morning at Lucy’s house to raise money for our annual charity Unseen. It was a very lively occasion attended by our members, friends and family. It was a joy to see the children helping and enjoying our company too. Cakes were also on sale and we raised over £300. A truly worthwhile way to spend a Thursday morning.  

11th September 2017 Sally Stanley: Parcels of Comfort

11th September 2017 Sally Stanley: Parcels of Comfort

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During the First World War soldiers and their families relied heavily on letters and parcels to raise their morale. Sally showed us the work of a team of textile artists and Cotham School GCSE textile students demonstrating their amazing sewing skills. They replicated some of the parcels and memorabilia showing us the pleasure the contents gave those receiving them. Their work was displayed at an exhibition at Bristol Cathedral and continues to be displayed in local libraries: Fishponds Library BS16 3UHL from 5th-19th Sept. Hillfields Library BS16 4HL from 23rd Sept.-11th Oct. Bishopston Library BS7 8BN from 16th Oct.-27th Nov.

10th July 2017 Toby Pinn: An Auctioneers Lot

10th July 2017 Toby Pinn: An Auctioneers Lot

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Toby is one of three directors at Clevedon Salerooms.  He is a chartered arts and antiques surveyor and has been with the firm for 15 years.  Some of us have known Toby for many years and we were not surprised when her demonstrated his expertise and entertained us with a delightful talk about the salerooms and his work. The Salerooms have quarterly specialist sales; antiques, interiors, collectables and jewellery sales; free valuation days and jewellery, watch, silver and gold valuation days. He told us how he got into the antiques business and interesting facts about what sells and what doesn’t.  He pointed out that what we may have loved and cherished for many years if it is not popular will not sell at a price we expect and then later the tables will turn and may become much sought after.   Thank you Toby for an

Growing our Brand in the Local Community Workshop

Growing our Brand in the Local Community Workshop

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On the 5th August Lizzie attended the first of two workshops “Growing our Brand in the Local Community” held at the Holiday Inn, Taunton and sponsored by SIGBI.  The purpose of the day was to provide us with ideas, inspiration, tools and techniques to help us attract new members.  It was an excellent day headed by Andrew Dewhurst and assisted by Anya Rigby (Anya is also a member of SI Amounderness in Lancashire, the youngest Soroptimist club in the UK, chartered on 4th July 2017). Andrew covered attitudes, growth tool kits, strategy planning and marketing communication plans.  He showed us the value of traditional marketing using flyers, posters and banners and how they can be effective by ongoing distribution and not just a “one off”.  He moved on to digital marketing demonstrating how we can advertise using Google, Facebook and Linkedin and showing us examples

Sausage Sizzle in aid of Unseen and the Meru Women’s Garden Project

Sausage Sizzle in aid of Unseen and the Meru Women’s Garden Project

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On Saturday 22nd July we were treated to a most enjoyable afternoon at Vyv’s lovely home.  We were warmly greeted by Denise, Anne and manged the bar, Ruth had been helping all day with cooking the delicious sausages and Duncan, with his health and safety hat on, made sure that we were able to admire the beautiful garden without any mishaps.  We raised £315 for Unseen. We had a stand with our Programme Action activities including highlighting SIGB’s Meru Women’s Garden Project.  We raised awareness and sold produce from our gardens including jam and the amount collected will go towards our next year’s donation towards the project.  It was a very happy gathering of members, husbands, partners and friends and family and an opportunity to enjoy a summer garden party whilst raising funds for this year’s club charity.

Off the Record – Presention of Cheque

Off the Record – Presention of Cheque

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We were delighted to present a cheque for Off the Record to Simon Newitt at our Business Meeting on June 26th.  We raised  £4800.00 during the year for our Club Charity mainly through our annual Duplicate Bridge Day and Concert (the money raised at the concert was matched by “The Big Give”).  Thank you to all those who supported this worthwhile charity (see charity of the year 2016/17).  

Elizabeth Ralph Commemorative Plaque Replaced

Elizabeth Ralph Commemorative Plaque Replaced

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The memorial plaque commemorating Elizabeth Ralph’s extraordinary service to Bristol was replaced on Sunday June 25th 2017.  Julian Warren City Archivist and Susan Greenwood, who had discovered that the plaque was missing and then organised the replacement of the plaque, spoke at the event.  The group then had a very enjoyable celebration brunch at Lockside Restaurant, Cumberland Basin. Amongst other things Julian said “In the winter of 1991 Miss Ralph planted the London Plane tree close to the city archives, donated by the Soroptimists International to mark her 80th Birthday.  A grainy photograph recording the ceremony was printed in the Bristol Record Office newsletter at the time which is currently on display in the search room foyer.  At the same time the city’s archives were moved out of the Council House and Bristol Record Office opened for business in B Bond warehouse, where the Archives continue to be

Regional AGM and Conference 16-18 June

Regional AGM and Conference 16-18 June

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As Daphne Dowsing, current Regional President, is a member of SI Tiverton, the AGM, Conference and friendship weekend was held there. There were inspiring and impressive speakers including The Right Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, DBE, Bishop of Crediton in the diocese of Exeter, the first female Bishop in the West Country who was consecrated (alongside the Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek) as 4th female Bishop in July 2015. She had started her working life as a nurse and rapidly rose to the heights of her profession, experiencing sexist attitudes along the way, especially when appointed Government Chief Nursing Officer for England. She was ordained in 2001, taking up full-time ministry in the C of E in 2004. She experienced and commented on different styles of leadership between men and women with excellent stories to illustrate her point.   She is keen to find ways to encourage

Skirting Science: Supporting Weston-super-Mare

Skirting Science: Supporting Weston-super-Mare

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On Thursday 29th June, SI Western-Super-Mare organized their 9th ‘Skirting Science’, this time at Churchill academy and Sixth From.  There were 16 workshops addressing various aspects of science and the event was attended by 194 year 9 girls from 12 area schools.  The aim was to attract them to science subjects at GCSE.  Each participant attended three workshops.    The event was supported by 25 volunteers from four Soroptimist Clubs (Western-Super-Mare, Bristol, Bath and Bridgwater [now Associates]).  The Federation President, Ann Hodgson, attended the entire event.