President Marion achieved her fundraising challenge on 31st March 2021!  Since the beginning of May 2020, she has walked 1,390 miles, thereby exceeding her commitment to walk 100 miles per month over the Club’s centenary year.  To give perspective, this mileage is farther than walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats – and back again (1,206 miles as the crow flies)!  Marion’s challenge will end on 23rd April with a walk on Durdham Downs.  We will, of course, observe the Rule of Six.  Meet at the Water Tower on the Downs by 2:00pm for a walk – or at the nearby Café at 3:00pm.   She stands in a puddle of water, one of many, and says “Thank you to everyone who has donated so far”.

SI Bristol was awarded a medal by The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, for their outstanding contribution to the City of Bristol during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 1,000 knitted teddy bears (10 for each of the 100 years of the Club’s existence) were distributed to emergency services, Children’s Services, Social Services, and several charities.  Many knitted pairs of hearts for patients on Children and dementia wards and drawstring bags for scrubs, theatre hats and masks for staff were given to the local hospitals.  Drawstring bags for survivors of Slavery in Safe Houses run by Unseen were made from discontinued fabric samples from Hillarys and donated along with gift vouchers and art supplies for use by the survivors. Fundraising included two members walking over 100 miles a month (one for 6-months and one for 12-months) for the Club’s annual charities. To date, nearly £5,000

What do Soroptimists do when they have had almost a year without meeting face to face?  Yes that’s right they think of something different to support each other and have fun.  A coffee morning fitted the bill and so a virtual “café” was set up.  We started in the main room and chatted together and then went into breakout rooms for our coffee and more in-depth chat with fewer people.  Then after a quarter of an hour, when we had finished our coffee, we went back into the main room for a further chat.  This was a fun event enabling us to hear how our friends were getting on during the pandemic and catch up with all their news.  We enjoyed this so much that we are have booked the “café” again and are having another one at the end of the month and so

At the beginning of June the SI Bristol history book was sent to the publisher.   We thank Jane Duffus, who spoke at our May 2019 Speaker meeting (see below), for editing it and writing a Foreword.  The book is entitled “100 Years of Sisterhood: Bristol Fashion”.   At the Supper Meeting on May  13th 2019 our club was pleased to welcome Jane Duffus who talked to us about The Women Who Built Bristol 1184 – 2018, a book she published recently.  She introduced us to a wonderful and eclectic set of women who influenced life in Bristol in every sphere. She spoke with contagious enthusiasm about brilliant women who helped to make Bristol into the vibrant city it is today. It links well with women’s achievement and women’s oppression worldwide.

A Tribute by  Susan Greenwood on behalf of the Club  Sadly we have to report the loss of one of our Members, Jeannette Jones, who died peacefully at home on 21 April after a long period of ill health. Jeannette was a loyal & active member of S I Bristol & although never President served for 6 years as our Treasurer & was a regular supporter both at Regional & National level. She greatly enjoyed the facilities at “No 63 “, & her knowledge gained through working at variety of jobs including the Prison service, catering, & VAT inspector, was much appreciated by our Club.  She had the skill of being able to enthuse others to take part in Club events & then encourage them by her own example. Earlier this year she received her long service certificate for 25 year of membership of S.

A Tribute by Ghyslaine Hobbs on behalf of the Club  (Lynn Ellis – died 31.3.2020) Lynn Ellis (on the left of the picture – 2016) joined SI Bristol on the 2nd April 2003 and became President in 2011-12. The above quote was her vision for the club during that year, which exemplifies her character.  Lynn embraced life as a teacher and as a Soroptimist and could turn her hand to anything; she was always kind, interested in others and was a supportive team player and friend. Lynn took an active role in club life and her generous nature meant that she hosted many coffee mornings and suppers, especially encouraging and including newer members. For several years Lynn helped organise the venue for the SI Bristol Annual Lunch; her ability to create friendly relationships meant liaising with venue staff, always went smoothly. Lynn took the lead

SI Bristol’s plans to mark 100 years since it formed as the first Venture Club have been thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic. However, this has not dampened the Club’s enthusiasm and we are maintaining a semblance of normality by using Emails and Zoom video conferencing. Our Zoom AGM proved to be successful and was great fun. Programme Action is active and Club members have already sent the following to the local hospitals and there are more on their way: Draw string bags for scrubs, knitted ‘comfort’ hearts and teddy bears and tubes to help hold intravenous needles in premature babies in place.   Throughout the centenary year, President Marion has challenged herself to walk an average of at least 100 miles a month. This fundraising activity is in support of the Club’s charities: The National Centre for Integrative Medicine and Lifeskills-Learning for Living. A crowd

On April 27th we held our first Club Meeting and our AGM since the lockdown due to Coronavirus. President Denise and incoming President Marion ran the meeting.   We started with 19 club members and after exchanging pleasantries and then President Denise called us to order.  As usual Secretary Lucy had circulated everything in advance and so there were no surprises.  We were able to vote on all the necessary items and President Denise had circulated her speech in advance.  Of course we were unable to see the exchange of insignia and badges but we still enjoyed the event.   Incoming President Marion told us about  her challenge to walk 100 miles a month during her year to raise funds for our two Club charities during our 100th  year.  This is the second year of our  two charities:  National Centre for Integrated Medicine and Lifeskills