Commemorating the Armistice signed at the close of World War I and remembering all armed conflicts around our world from this time and forward.   On behalf of Soroptimist International of Bristol Ruth laid our wreath, as we do every year, at the Whiteladies Road War Memorial. Soroptimists present at the memorial today were Carol, Lynda, Sue, Ruth and Ivete. We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away. We will remember them.

  Soroptimist Bristol members were delighted to hear Sue Mountstevens OBE at our Speaker and Supper Meeting on Monday 11th November.      Sue is no stranger to SI Bristol as Sue was our guest speaker at our annual luncheon in 2014 and number of us are Magistrates too. Sue was the first person to hold the post of Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner in Bristol and was first elected in 2012, having stood as an independent candidate.  She was vice-chair of the Independent Monitoring Board for Bristol Prison and was a magistrate for 15 years. She now works as Chair of Quartet Community Foundation. Earlier in her career she was a director of a family business, the Mountstevens Bakeries chain. Sue understands that addressing domestic abuse crime only as a ‘women’s issue’ risks blaming the victim and ignoring the actions of the

    In Houston (USA) on 19th October, Marion Reid, a member of SI Bristol, has received a prestigious award from the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).   The Bernard Fantus Lifetime Achievement Medal is a prestigious award that recognizes an individual who made numerous, outstanding contributions to the scientific basis and/or clinical practice of blood banking and transfusion medicine during the preceding 50 years. In recognition of her critical scientific achievements, influence, and unwavering commitment to the field of transfusion medicine during her extraordinary career.  Her many accomplishments include her seminal research to elucidated many blood group antigens and the Blood Group Antigen FactsBook, which is a legacy for current and future generations. Her work also led to a greater understanding of the molecular basis of blood groups, which spurred novel developments in the field and influenced subsequent generations of

  We were honoured and delighted to welcome Peaches Golding OBE CStJ, the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, as our Speaker at our club’s meeting on 14th October.   Peaches has been an honorary member of our Club for many years and has always been present at our special celebrations and occasions, for which we are very grateful. Last Monday she entertained us with many interesting stories about 20th Century Female Royal Role Models. At this evening we were also delighted to give a warm welcome to our Regional President, Daphne Dowsing, who came over from Tiverton especially to meet us. It was a pleasure to host Daphne and we certainly hope this is one of many visits. We also welcomed and introduced two new visitors at the meeting and we hope they will join us as members in the near future. We must say a

Jo started her talk by describing her work history and told us about some of the places she had worked and the exciting things she had done. After leaving school Jo worked at the BBC.  However, at the age of 20 she thought she would change direction and join the Police Force.  Instead, they suggested that before becoming a Police Officer it would be a good idea to get other experience. So, she worked for the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard in the Publicity Department.  She then changed direction again and worked in their Press Office.  It was a very exciting time.  In 1990 she reported on the London Pole Tax Riots and other similar events.  In 1991 she reported on the Downing Street Bombing and in 1993 worked on the Stephen Lawrence murder. Then at the age of 27 her life changed, and she

On 28th June, a Blue Plaque to honour Miss Eleanor Addison Phillips was unveiled at Clifton High School. Miss Addison Phillips was Head Mistress there (1908-1933) and founder President of our Venture Club (1920).  We amalgamated with Soroptimists in 1930.  The unveiling ceremony was to have taken place a year ago during the Club’s centenary but was thwarted by restrictions due to coronavirus.  As it was, only three representatives from key organisations could attend. The plaque was paid for by Soroptimist International of Bristol, Rotary Club of Bristol and Clifton High School.  The Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding unveiled the plaque and then the Head Master of Clifton High School and representatives from these organisations gave short talks.  Next time you pass the Clifton High School Administration building facing College Road, stop outside the railings and have a look at the plaque, which is