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Annual Trip to the Watermill Theatre Newbury: Wednesday 27th August 2025

Annual Trip to the Watermill Theatre Newbury: Wednesday 27th August 2025

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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

Soroptimist Bristol Visit to Glenside Hospital Museum Saturday 9th August 2025

Soroptimist Bristol Visit to Glenside Hospital Museum Saturday 9th August 2025

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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

Speaker Meeting Monday 14th July: Sarah Harris – Windmills and Windmillers in Somerset

Speaker Meeting Monday 14th July: Sarah Harris – Windmills and Windmillers in Somerset

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  At our Speaker meeting on 14th July we had a most interesting and entertaining speaker in Sarah Harris who talked about Windmills and Windmillers in Somerset. We learned that the Romans brought the technology of wind power to Britain, and then the technology came from Yorkshire to Somerset. The Post Mill, common in Somerset, is the earliest type of European windmill. Its defining feature is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single central vertical post. Post mills were only for grinding corn. Sarah told us that the miller in those days was like the white van man from the Middle Ages. Although a necessary member of rural communities, the miller was often unpopular, regarded as mean-spirited and sometimes a cheat, taking more money than he was entitled to. In Somerset, the 18th century Ashton Mill

Meeting up with our SI Halifax Friendship Link: Regional Meeting 12th July 2025

Meeting up with our SI Halifax Friendship Link: Regional Meeting 12th July 2025

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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.

Club Meeting Monday 23rd June 2025: Imogen Franklin, Head of Smart Works Bristol

Club Meeting Monday 23rd June 2025: Imogen Franklin, Head of Smart Works Bristol

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At our Club Meeting on 23rd June 2025 we were pleased to welcome Imogen Franklin, Head of Smart Works Bristol. Imogen talked to us about the Smart Works charity, a national charity that supports long-term unemployed women get back to work with coaching and clothing for interviews. Clients are mostly referred by job centres and other Bristol women’s charities but can be referred directly via a website application. Smart Works Bristol will officially launch in late summer/early Autumn having recently taken possession of premises at The Easton Business Centre where they are currently setting up the space for coaching and styling. Please see their website for more in depth information by clicking on the link below: https://bristol.smartworks.org.uk/
SI Bristol Contribute to the Soroptimist National Railway Safety Survey Project

SI Bristol Contribute to the Soroptimist National Railway Safety Survey Project

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SI Bristol completed  part of the Soroptimist National Railway Safety Survey Project. The project was originally launched in 1996 and is being re-launched to celebrate Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland’s 90th year. In 1996, Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), a registered charity, published a report making recommendations to the UK Government on how to improve safety in stations, claiming the Government’s approach to passenger safety in railway stations was ineffective. To advance the work being done further, the charity is kickstarting the project again – asking the same questions at the UK’s railway stations, to see how much has changed and to obtain a more detailed picture of women’s travelling safety across the country. The charity is also questioning whether the Government’s approach to passenger safety has moved on in the last 29 years. Soroptimist Bristol members were pleased to
Speaker Meeting Monday 9th June 2025: Nick Wray – Curator of Bristol Botanic Garden

Speaker Meeting Monday 9th June 2025: Nick Wray – Curator of Bristol Botanic Garden

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  On Monday evening, SI Bristol enjoyed a lively gathering at our monthly Supper Meeting, where we welcomed new and potential members into our group.     We were also delighted to host our guest speaker, Nick Wray, curator of the renowned Bristol Botanic Garden and recipient of the prestigious RHS Associate of Honour for his distinguished contributions to horticulture. With over 30 years at the garden, Nick was instrumental in creating the new garden at The Holmes, located near the Bristol Downs. Remarkably, this was the first major redevelopment of a botanic garden in the UK in nearly 40 years. Nick, a passionate traveller, took us on a fascinating “whistle-stop tour” of the gardens and landscapes of Sicily. From the ancient city of Palermo to the white sandy beaches of Mondello, he shared insights into the island’s rich history, diverse cultural influences, and stunning architecture. Sicily—Italy’s largest island—is known for its unique blend of Norman,

SI Bristol Respond to Next Link’s Appeal for Toiletries

SI Bristol Respond to Next Link’s Appeal for Toiletries

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  Our Programme Action Officer Bridget co-ordinated a response to Next Link’s appeal, in partnership with St Mungo’s Respite Rooms, for supplies of toiletries to help Domestic and Sexual Violence women survivors living in the Respite Rooms. These are women who have multiple needs and are fleeing high risk harm and homelessness. Over the last two weeks our Club members donated a good number of emergency items which were delivered on Friday 16th May to Next Link by Bridget and Ivete. Thank you to all our members for their generosity.

Speaker Meeting 12th May 2025: Rob Bayly – ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and More!

Speaker Meeting 12th May 2025: Rob Bayly – ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and More!

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    Rob Bayly, was employed by the BBC for over 33 years and was a producer on many of the BBC’s most popular factual TV programmes such as ‘The Antiques Roadshow’.   Rob entertained us with stories about how the programmes were created. During his talk he shared many ‘behind the scenes’ stories not least working with the Roadshow team of antiques specialists and presenter Fiona Bruce. Needless to say he kept us all entertained throughout! The BBC trained Rob as a Studio Manager, specialising in sessions for shows like John Peel. He then went into TV production. Rob started his working life in the future with the TV programme ‘Tomorrow’s World’ & finished working for the BBC in the past producing the ‘Antiques Roadshow’. He is also a balloon pilot, having flown with Bristol’s Don Cameron, so that’s possibly a theme for a

Thank You to Anne and Welcome Helen D

Thank You to Anne and Welcome Helen D

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  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.