On Monday, 12th May 2025, Anne Shore, was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card to say “thank you” and to celebrate her 57 years of service.   This was a happy and sad occasion as Anne is no longer able to continue her service on a regular basis. However, we will ensure she is warmly welcomed at all future Supper meetings. At the same time we were delighted to induct a new member Helen D.  As President Funlola was away, Pauline introduced Helen to our team and Gish, our Membership Officer, read the Soroptimists’ Vision and Mission statement. Helen will be a great asset to our Club and we welcome her with open arms, promising to help her promote Soroptimists’ values.

  We held our AGM on 28th April during which Funlola was presented with the Presidential chains of office and Sally S with the President Elect badge by our Treasurer, Pauline, in the absence of an Outgoing President. We wish them both a successful term of service. We gave a vote of thanks and appreciation to Lizzie for her dedication and hard work over many years as the Club’s secretary. The secretarial role was transferred to Sue P for the next year. During the meeting we were delighted and proud to present two long service certificates to Sue P and Funlola for 40 years as Soroptimists. A truly wonderful achievement! The meeting ended with the good news that a new member will be inducted at our Speaker meeting in early May.

  SI Weston-super-Mare organised a meetup at Tyntesfield National Trust property with SI Bristol     On 29th April 2025, five members from SI Bristol joined five members from SI Weston super Mare at Tyntesfield.  They toured the house, admired the gardens en route, and enjoyed lunch in the Cow Barn.  What a lovely way to get together – many thanks Weston for organising this.

  On the 9th May 2025, 17 of us, Soropotimisters, family and our friends from the Rotary Club of Bristol travelled to Bowood Woodland Gardens in Wiltshire, where we had a really lovely time.  We started and ended with “The Nosh Box” where we enjoyed light refreshments.  The gardens are only open for about six weeks during the year whilst the bluebells, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons are flowering. We picnicked, had fun and walked the many paths to see as many flowering shrubs as possible   We are very lucky to have these gardens so close to Bristol and grateful to Ruth for organising such a lovely day.     For more information visit https://bowood.org/house-gardens/woodland-garden/

  A group of 9 Soroptimists, Soroptimisters and several friends enjoyed a trip to Cardiff on Tuesday 8th April for a very convivial evening meal followed by an opera – Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Welsh National Opera House.     Peter Grimes is a tale of isolation and prejudice. It was very dramatic, the scenery was full of atmosphere, the lighting was superb and it had an excellent orchestra led by the conductor Tomáš  Hanus. This was a tremendous performance by the tenor Nicky Spence. We were very glad to be able to see it.  A big thanks goes to Ruth for organising yet again a very successful evening.

  Seven of us: Marion, Gillie, Frances, Sally S, Sue P, Sue G, Lynda and Lizzie travelled to Taunton to enjoy a very informative Regional Meeting.  We were delighted to be joined in our photograph by Gillie was once  a Member of  SI Bristol. See the Protected Area for more information.